Q and A: Natural Treatment for ADHD

Enlarge Image Image Gallery St. John's Wort can help with calming the anxiety of depression.

In every issue of Herbs for Health, professionals from a variety of health-care fields ­answer your questions about using medicinal herbs. Medical doctor Robert Rountree and herbalist Daniel Gagnon responded for this issue. 

Q&A

My son has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Last year he was prescribed Ritalin with no real improvement and against my natural instincts. 

Are there herbal medications, vitamins, or diet recommendations that would help a child with ADHD?
K. S.
Laurel, Montana 

The treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder with or without hyperactivity can be challenging, probably because no single cause for this problem has been identified. Your first step is to use an elimination diet to rule out sensitivities to refined carbohydrates, yeasts, salicylates, synthetic dyes, or food additives. Secondly, it’s important to screen for nutritional deficiencies of B vitamins, essential fatty acids, and trace elements. He should also be checked for thyroid disorders.

Herbs that might help include kava-kava for anxiety and agitation, St.-John’s-Wort if there is an element of depression, and gingko to improve brain metabolism. ­Follow the manufacturer’s recommended dosage guidelines. In addition, I frequently prescribe the supplement DMAE (dimethyl amino-ethanol), a chemical precursor to acetylcholine, one of the main neurotransmitters involved in attention, concentration, and memory. It is nontoxic and available in a liquid form, to be given in a dose of 100 to 300 mg daily. All of these supplements require several weeks of use before taking effect.
—Robert Rountree