Brain & Mental Health

7 Proven and Efficient Herbs for ADHD

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(1), more than 11% of children and adolescents between the ages of four and seventeen suffer from the syndrome of hyperactivity called ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The condition begins with restlessness and sleep problems and worsens into hyperactivity and excessive stress, and anxiety.

There are different methods of conventional treatment of ADHD, but no procedure is as effective as a handful of potent herbs for ADHD. The herbal remedies for ADHD are incredibly useful in addressing the varied symptoms of the syndrome.

The administration of herbs for ADHD soothe the senses, calm the taut nerves, and induce a feeling of serenity that promotes a better quality of sleep and restfulness throughout the day.

Read on to find out more about how to make the signs and symptoms subside by the administration of herbs for ADHD.

Herbal Remedies for ADHD

With more than 11 percent of adolescents and children who have ADHD, doctors are struggling to come up with innovative treatment techniques that will not have harmful side effects on tender kids and teens.

The drugs that are available inflict adverse effects such as dizziness, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, digestive disorders, and more. Some patients of ADHD find no relief at all from the symptoms of ADHD by the administration of Ritalin and other popular ADHD drugs.

There are several modes of alternative treatment and special diets. The administration of herbs for ADHD is an excellent way for the natural cure of the signs and symptoms of the syndrome.

The natural herbs for ADHD are synonymous with mental peace, relaxation, and relief from hyperactivity and other symptoms of ADHD.

Extensive medical research suggests that the administration of the recommended dosage of herbal remedies for ADHD can help to cope with anxiety, stress, restlessness, and sleep deprivation. Read on to find out more about the herbal remedies for ADHD.

[Also Read: 8 Popular Home Remedies to Treat ADHD]

List of Beneficial Herbs for ADHD Treatment

1. Ginseng

Image:ShutterStock

One of the best herbal remedies is ginseng ADHD. Ginseng(2) is an ancient Chinese herbal remedy that can stimulate the functioning of the brain and enhance the physical energy levels of the body. The red ginseng herb is incredibly useful in inducing calmness and composure by fighting against the signs and symptoms of ADHD.

How to Use?

A dosage of about 1000mg of ginseng extract is excellent for calming the symptoms of ADHD in children and adolescents. Ginseng is also useful for the cure of anxiety and stress and improvement in social functioning and personality.

Side Effect or Precaution

A common side effect of consuming ginseng is insomnia. Other side effects include headache, heart troubles, fluctuation in blood pressure, and more.

[ Read: Ginseng Benefits ]

2. Passion Flower

Passionflower is one of the most potent herbs for ADHD. It helps in the cure of anxiety disorders and is excellent for the natural alleviation of the symptoms of ADHD.

Extensive medical research reveals that the extract of passionflower bears a therapeutic effect on the brain by the modulation of the GABA receptors.

How to Use?

Passionflower is available in the form of tablets, supplementary capsules, and tinctures at local drug stores. It is also available in combination with lemon balm to induce sound sleep.

Additionally, you can try this simple homemade recipe for preparing passionflower tea.

Ingredients: one teaspoon of dried and crushed passionflower, one cup of boiling water, and a teaspoon of honey.

Procedure: Add the passionflower to a cup of hot water and let it steep for a few minutes. Stir in the honey for taste and drink it while it’s warm.

You could have this tea once a day for two weeks.

Side Effect or Precaution

Excess dose of passion flower might trigger a few side effects that include: loss of balance and coordination, dizziness, confusion, drowsiness, liver damage, and more.

[Also Read: Natural Remedies to Treat ADHD]

3. Valerian

Calm your senses and drift off to a sound and peaceful sleep with the administration of the potent valerian herb. The use of valerian herb with chamomile and lemon balm makes for a beautiful blend for the cure of ADHD.

Valerian root herb is exceedingly beneficial for the alleviation of the signs and symptoms of ADHD(3). It helps to decrease the level of anxiety and works to cure restlessness and nervous disorders.

However, you must take caution as not to take the valerian root herb in excess as that can trigger a lot of harmful side effects.

How to Use?

You can take valerian in the form of tablets and supplementary capsules. You can also try the valerian tea, but make sure that you do not exceed the recommended dosage. Here is a simple recipe for preparing valerian tea right here.

Ingredients: 1 teaspoon of valerian root and two cups of freshly boiled and hot water

Procedure: Take the hot water in a pot. Add the valerian root to the water and cover the pot with a lid. Let the contents of the pot simmer for about 2-3 minutes. Use a strainer to strain out the valerian tea into a glass. Add a dash of lemon juice or honey to the valerian tea for the taste and drink it with slow sips.

Side Effect/Precaution

The side effects of the oral consumption of valerian include persistent vomiting, constant feeling of nausea, stomach troubles, darkening of urine, fatigue, yellowing of the skin and eyes, skin rash, and itchiness of the skin.

Overdose of valerian can also cause depression as valerian tends to reduce neuro-physiological stimulation, which is linked with depression and stress.

4. Licorice Root

Licorice root is one of the most remarkably beneficial herbs for ADHD. It is suitable for the natural treatment of hyperactivity.

This herbal supplement plays a significant role in the maintenance of healthy functioning of the endocrine system, adrenal glands, and sweat glands.

Licorice root is good for the alleviation of mood swings. It can also help in the stabilization of blood sugar levels. Thus licorice root is hugely beneficial for patients of ADHD as they suffer from high blood glucose as well.

Related Post

Licorice root has also been in use for centuries for its healing and medicinal properties.

How to Use?

You can take licorice root in the form of supplements or tea. Check out the recipe of homemade licorice root tea right here.

Ingredients: An inch-sized portion of licorice root, two cups of water, a wedge of fresh and juicy lime, and a teaspoon of honey.

Procedure: Pour the water into a saucepan and set it to boil. Add the licorice roots gently to the water in the saucepan and let the contents simmer for about 5-7 minutes. Strain the licorice root tea into a cup and add a little honey to it. You could add in a dash of lime as well.

Side Effect or Precaution

Some of the most common side effects of licorice root include headache, shortness of breath, retention of water, stomach troubles, stiffness of joints, and dizziness.

The long-term side effects of consumption of licorice root tea include high blood pressure, problems in the liver, renal problems, liver damage.

5. Lavender

Image:ShutterStock

The fragrant lavender herb has been in use for centuries for the administration of aromatherapy. Lavender is one of the most effective natural herbs for ADHD.

Some of the primary symptoms of ADHD is sleep disorders, nervousness, and anxiety. The inhalation of lavender extract helps in the alleviation of tension and stress and works to induce sound and peaceful sleep.

Medical research suggests that the use of lavender essential oil is highly effective for the improvement of cognitive abilities and cure of mood swings and stress. The essential oil of lavender can also help to improve concentration power and mental performance.

How to Use?

Lavender herb is highly effective in the form of essential oils, bath oils, scented candles, lotions, potpourri, dried flowers, and tea. Check out the recipe of lavender tea right here.

Ingredients: 1/4th a cup of fresh flowers of lavender, 3-4 cups of water, one cup of fresh and dried mint leaves, and a teaspoon of honey.

Procedure: Add mint leaves and lavender blossoms in the saucepan. Pour in the water and set the saucepan to boil. Turn the heat into a low flame and let the contents of the saucepan simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Strain out the tea into a cup and stir in a teaspoon of honey to sweeten its taste. Drink the fragrant and delicious brew with slow sips every day to curb the symptoms of ADHD.

Side Effect or Precaution

The administration of lavender can have the following side effects: severe feelings of drowsiness, constipation, increase in appetite, skin problems, headache, dizziness, and more.

[Read: Essential Oils for ADHD]

6. Ginkgo Biloba

Image:ShutterStock

Ginkgo Biloba for ADHD has been in use for centuries for the improvement of memory power and enhancement of mental sharpness. The regular consumption of ginkgo Biloba for ADHD is suitable for children as well as adults.

The administration of the gingko Biloba herb helps in increasing the blood circulation to the central nervous system and brain. It also aids in decreasing the level of oxidative stress and preventing oxidative damage.

Ginkgo Biloba works to enhance the metabolism of cerebral glucose, which helps in improving the mood and prevent mood swings.

Extensive medical research suggests that Ginkgo Biloba helps in the alleviation of the symptoms of ADHD. The combination of Ginkgo Biloba and American ginseng herb makes for a more potent herbal medicine for ADHD.

How to Use?

A dose of 240mg of Ginkgo Biloba herbal extract daily for about three or four weeks helps in the alleviation of the symptoms of ADHD in children without inflicting any adverse side effects whatsoever. Check out the recipe of Ginkgo Biloba tea right here.

Ingredients: One teaspoon of crushed and dried ginkgo Biloba leaves, a cup of hot water, and a tablespoon of honey.

Procedure: Take a bowl and put the leaves in it. Add the hot water to the leaves in the bowl. Cover the bowl with a lid and let the contents steep for about 7-10 minutes. Strain out the tea into a cup and add honey to it with gentle stirring for taste.

Side Effect or Precaution

The oral intake of Ginkgo Biloba in the form of tea or supplements has several side effects that include stomach troubles, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, and headache.

[ Read: Top 5 Amazing Natural Remedies for ADHD ]

7. Kava Kava

Kava Kava is renowned in the world of medicine for its excellent calming effects on the mind. Also termed as kava, this herbal supplement is perfectly safe for adults as well as children.

The administration of kava does not numb the senses but only works in reducing anxiety and stress. It is quick to take action, and it works on the receptors that are present in the amygdala region of the brain. The amygdala region helps in the regulation of anxiety and fear.

The herb works by enhancing the sense of peace and satisfaction and provides relief from tension, nervousness, insomnia, and anxiety. The extract of kava contains kavalactones that are incredibly beneficial for the natural treatment of ADHD.

How to Use?

Kava kava is available in the form of supplementary capsules and tea. Check out the recipe for preparing kava tea right here.

Ingredients: 3-4 tablespoons of powdered or fresh kava roots, 2 cups of warm water, cloth filter, and a tablespoon of honey

Procedure: Place the kava root in the cloth filter and get rid of the excess air. Pour the hot water into the pot and dunk the kava root bag into the boiling water. Squeeze and knead the bag for a few minutes until the concoction seems to be strong enough. Add the honey to the tea and drink it warm.

[ Read: 10 Supplements for ADHD to Include in Your Diet ]

Side Effect or Precaution

Kava kava herb may not be safe for oral consumption. It can cause grave illness and damage to the liver.

Kava can also interfere with your driving ability, so avoid taking kava in any form before driving. Do not drink kava tea in excess.

The attack of symptoms of ADHD can be disturbing for the individual, but a good dose of potent herbs for ADHD can go a long way in the treatment of the signs and symptoms of the syndrome.

Ditch the drugs and tablets that only have a  host of adverse side effects upon the body like dizziness, stomach troubles, and more, and embrace the richness and strength of the herbs for ADHD right from today to acquire a healthy and happy life.