ADHD Brain Storm

9 Herbals against ADHD

Millions of parents and doctors are opting to use natural remedies for ADHD treatment.There are certain herbs and herbal medicines that are known to alleviate ADHD symptoms and promote emotional well-being in children and adults.
The combination of ADHD herbs, along with healthy nutrients, can improve mental clarity or focus while helping memory and concentration problems, irritability, mental fatigue, and mood swings.

1. Lemon Balm for ADHD:

Lemon Balm or Melissa officinalis is a perennial plant belonging to the mint family. It is a tall herb with small, white flowers and lemon-scented leaves.
The powdered leaves are used in herbal preparations.  It can also be infused as a tea. The scent and medicinal value of lemon balm are attributed to the following compounds: citronella, geranial, caryophyllene and linalyl acetate.
These and other plant chemicals are responsible for the anxiolytic and calming effects of lemon balm. The herb is also a mild sedative.
As an anxiolytic, lemon balm extract relieves anxiety by inhibiting the enzyme GABA transaminase. This effect is attributed to the rosmarinic acid content of the herb.
Lemon balm is widely used to reduce stress and improve mental concentration.
This herb is also known to improve mental performance, attention span, and memory power in children. Hence, it is often found in natural ADHD formulas.
Lemon Balm also aids in relieving feeling of impatience, nervousness, and anxiety. It can be taken to reduce restlessness and anxiety in kids.

2. Valerian for ADHD:

Valerian is prepared from the roots of the perennial herb, Valeriana officinalis. It has sweetly scented flowers used as perfume in ancient times.
Valerian root extract is known to show anxiolytic and sedative effects. While the plant contains a number of phytochemicals including ones belonging to flavanone, sesquiterpene and alkaloid groups, it is the GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) content that is most likely to be responsible for its positive effect in ADHD therapy.
Valerian is believed to produce its pharmacological effects by interacting with GABA receptors which then control the release and actions of certain brain neurochemicals.
This herbal root may be used to alleviate ADHD symptoms such as anxiety and hyperactivity. Scientists believe that valerian boosts a chemical substance in the brain, which produces a calming affect to treat restlessness, insomnia, and nervousness.

3. Ginkgo Biloba for ADHD:

The extracts of this herb are used in several herbal ADHD remedies. It is known to enhance the nervous system, by improving the delivery of blood sugar and oxygen to nerve cells.
Ginkgo Biloba is considered useful for treating blood circulatory ailments by regulating the elasticity and tone of blood vessels to enhance blood flow to the brain and extremities.
It is also a powerful antioxidant as it helps in getting rid of damaging compounds and aids cell maintenance.
Extracts of ginkgo are taken from the leaves of the tree.  The herb extract contains flavonoid gylcosides and terpenoids such as ginkgolides.
Gingkgolides are responsible for one of the key benefits of the herbs in the treatment of ADHD. These plant chemicals block the effects of platelet-activating factor which is responsible for blood clotting through platelet aggregation. This blockage is useful for the prevention of certain central nervous system disorders.

4. Chamomile for ADHD:

Chamomile refers to a number of plants in the Asteraceae family. These plants resemble daisies and they are popular for their medicinal use as teas for reducing stress and promoting sound sleep.
Chamomile contains the flavonoid, chrysin, which is believed to be responsible for its anxiolytic effects and its usefulness in ADHD therapy.
This natural herb is primarily known to support relaxation and promote an overall sense of calmness and emotional well-being.
It is one of the safest ADHD herbs available. It is a non-stimulatant herb that acts on the central nervous system to promote calmness and ease anxiety.

5. Kava kava for ADHD:

Kava kava or Piper methysticum is a popular herbal remedy in the cultures around the Pacific. The roots are extracted and prepared into a drink which has sedative and anesthetic properties.
Kava is noted for its ability to induce calm while promoting mental focus. Scientific studies have already established that this herb is effective for treating short-term anxiety.
The phytochemicals in kava are called kavalactones. These are responsible for the calmness, relaxed state, sociable behavior and mental clarity caused by kava, all of which are preferred states in people diagnosed with ADHD. The herb is believed to produce these effects from its action on the GABA receptors in the brain.
Taking kava kava supplements can help reduce ADHD symptoms. It calms the mind and promotes well-being.
Kava kava is used as a natural sedative that aids relieve tension, anxiety, insomnia, and nervousness in children.

6. Passion flower for ADHD:

Passion flower refers to plants belonging to the broad family called Passifloraceae. The roots and leaves of these plants are mostly used in herbal remedies.
These plant parts contain high amounts of alkaloids, flavonoids and their glycosides.
Passion flower extract was found to provide the same therapeutic benefits for anxiety disorders as oxazepam, a known anxiolytic. However, the herb presents with fewer side effects.
Passionflower is a herb having medicinal value. It is used to treat sleep problems (insomnia), and gastrointestinal upset associated with ADHD.
The chemicals found in passionflower have a calming effect. They induce sleep, and relieve muscle spasms.

7. Ginseng for ADHD:

You can use ginseng as a natural stimulant to alleviate ADHD symptoms. Siberian ginseng (eleutherococcus senticosis) is a natural brain stimulant that can improve your memory and boost your levels of concentration.
The herb also assists the body regulate its release of energy, and reduce hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

8. Skullcap for ADHD:

Skullcap is the common name for the over 300 plants in the Lamiaceae family. The herbal extract of these flowering plants are taken from their roots.
Skullcap is used as a daytime sedative because it does not also produce drowsiness and mental impairment like most sedatives.
Its usefulness in treating ADHD extends beyond sedation; it is also used to relax muscular spasms and provide relief for frequent headaches.
This is natural ADHD herb soothes the nervous system and reduces hyperactivity in children.
This herb can be taken as a sedative for relieving pain and anxiety.

9. Hawthorne for ADHD:

Extracts of the Hawthorne are commonly used in modern herbal medicines. It strengthens the heart and circulatory system.
It has a calming effect on the mind. Hence, it is believed that using Hawthorne can help alleviate hyperactivity symptoms and reduce inattentiveness.