Alternative Treatments for ADHD

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Are there any alternative treatments for ADHD instead of Ritalin or Concerta? My son has been on one or the other since he was 7, and now he’s 17. Some days it seems to work, and others it doesn’t. I have been searching for alternatives for years with no success. Can you suggest anything?
—R. via e-mail

Keville responds: There’s not really one alternative for ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), but there are several things you can try. Most parents find a multidisciplinary program works best. Using herbs and aromatherapy may involve some trial and error and usually doesn’t offer a complete solution, so you’ll also want to look into diet and nutritional supplements. It may be difficult to take your son off his medication at this point, but aromatherapy can be safely used in combination with these drugs.

Let your son choose from a number of relaxing scents, such as lavender, chamomile, lemon and orange. He can use just one scent or combine several together. Reinforce the aromatherapy action by asking him to sniff the oil or blend at times when he’s feeling relaxed and centered — perhaps when he’s listening to his favorite music, falling asleep or petting the dog. Then, he can carry that scent with him, or at least have it around the house to sniff as a calming agent.

Teenagers often prefer putting the scent on a key chain, woven bracelet or carrying a few drops in a fancy vial. For young children, dab the scent on a small stuffed animal or get a relaxing massage oil made with these oils and rub it on their feet in the evening, before bed.

Using medicinal herbs for ADHD is safe when they’re used properly, although it can be tricky to discover the right combination for each individual. I suggest further investigating the properties and appropriate use of each herb before adopting an herbal program. Relaxing herbal teas, such as chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and catnip (Nepeta cataria), make a tasty hot tea or a cool summertime tea when combined with peppermint (Mentha ¥piperita).

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) has reduced aggression, restlessness and anxiety in children with ADHD. Due to its strong taste, the herb is best taken in capsules or as a tincture. A tincture of wild oats (Avena sativa), motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) or the Ayurvedic herb ashwaganda (Withania somnifera) is helpful to calm the nervous system.

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