Does anyone know of any herbal/alternative treatments for ADHD in children???

Question

My son is 10 and his doc wants him on medication(s) but I'm looking for something more herbal or alternative, like maybe diet changes or something like that. Any advise would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks in advance!!!!!

Answer 1

There is quite a lot of information about the use of pure, unadulterated essential oils in working with children with ADHD. My friend's grandson uses a number of essential oils and has gone from a "resource" class at school to being integrated into a 'regular' classroom with success re his behaviors and learning abilities. Her grandson uses pure, unadulterated essential oils and blends (not cheap oils that have been solvent distilled and might contain solvents that you don't want near your child's brain) like Vetiver and Brain Power. You can find these at my site at http://tinyurl.com/ykxyuk

The following is found on-line:

"CASE STUDY
DR. TERRY FRIEDMAN, M.D.

This case study was conducted for two years, from 1999-2001. Using Children between the ages of 6 to 12 years. Twenty subjects not diagnosed with ADD/ADHD were used as the control group. Twenty subjects with a confirmed diagnoses of ADD/ADHD were used as the study group.

Each group was pre-tested using a baseline evaluation with real time EEG and The T.O.V.A. Scale.

The essential oils chosen for the case study were Lavender, Vetiver, Cedarwood and Brain Power (a blend of Frankincense, Sandalwood, Melissa, Cedarwood, blue Cypress, Lavender and Helichrysum.)

The oils were administered in this fashion: one of the oils were administered by inhalation 3 times a day for 30 days. An inhalation device was also used at night to administer a continuous inhalation of oil.

The subject then inhaled when needed, about 3 times during the day when they began to feel "scattered". The inhalation of the oils proved to settle the brainwaves back into normal patterns and improved their scholastic performance and behavioral patterns.

Each subject was tested on each oil for 30 days and then reevaluated by testing. Then another oil was used for 30 days and reevaluated, until each of the oils had been tested. Lastly, oil combinations were used, each for a 30 day period. (Brain Power with Lavender, with Cedarwood, and Vetiver.)

The final results were: Lavender increased performance by 53%, Cedarwood increased performance by 83% and Vetiver increased performance by 100%. "

Hope this is helpful.

HealthiaCynthia
Certified Comprehensive Coach
Moderator for My Monday Miracles
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/My_Monday_Miracles/

Answer 2

First off you may want to look into the causes of ADHD. I guess as far as an easy solution goes caffiene has been shown to do some good though. About a half cup of coffee twice a day was where I started from and it seemed to do pretty good. But then you'll have to be vigilant about not allowing him to have any caffiene(or comparable stimulants) except when taken as therapeutic.

I'd say that the biggest thing you could probably do for him is find someone(counselor, maybe) that could teach him how to live successfully with ADHD instead of trying to medicate him into not being ADHD. Or either that or find the cause of the problem.
(I find that looking for the cause honestly is requires too much humility for most parents unfortunately)

Answer 3

My children do the failsafe diet which focuses on reducing and eliminating artificial as well as some naturally occurring chemicals in their diet. My son was diagnosied as autism spectrum and a year later he is as close to "normal" as any other child. We have to be vigilant with the diet which can be hard with an ADHD child. It was a huge change that took lots of getting used to and learning about reading ingredient lists but for him it made all the difference. The book I started with is called "Fed Up With ADHD" and is written by Sue Dengate. She has her own website with lots of info and hows and whys of the diet at www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info.

I have to admit though, one of my children is ADHD and despite the fact that I don't like the side effects of medication for it, there have not been any alternative therapies that have improved him to the level that he can manage without medication. Diet does contribute but I don't think it is a cure but removing unnecessary additives from the diet would be a good place to start, as well as finding a doctor who will look at all the different therapies in a combined approach, rather than just medication as it has its down sides as well.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Some ADD and ADHD kids seem to get calmer and more focussed by taking monavie juice, an all natural juice blend which is rich in antioxidants and has many health benefits.
In their book Magnet Therapy Dr's Lawrence and Rosch describe the use of magnet pillows and sleep mats in a small study which helped most of the children who tried it.
Pycnogenol is discussed in Jean Carper's "Miracle Cures"
Good luck!

Answer 5

Many times ADD/ADHD can be resolved, or reduced with chiropractic care. It has be indicated that many children suffering from these disorders have problems of their cervical spine(neck), often caused by birthing trama. I suggest trying a chiropractor.
Here is a sight it suggest reading! Also try a good fish oil!
http://www.icpa4kids.org/research/chirop...
http://www.mercola.com/2001/jan/14/lendo...
http://www.mercola.com/2002/may/4/birth_...
http://www.mercola.com/2002/jul/20/adhd....

Answer 6

There is a book that I looked at when my daughter was diagnosed. It is
"Complete Nutrition for the ADHD child" I can't remember the authors name. Good luck.

Answer 7

i've never met anyone whose child seriously had ADHD, who had ***any*** success with alternative treatments. and i'm a person who is in favor of / friendly to alternative medicine.

you'll find plenty of people out there, who want to sell you their books or their diets or their herbs for ADHD, but they don't really work

some parents choose not to use the medication, but then you still have a kid with ADHD. it's a choice. like all choices, it comes down to the cost-benefit involved.

Answer 8

Limiting his sugar and caffeine intake will help. It will also help to keep him involved in daily activities. Whether it is sports or things to keep is brain busy, it will help him learn to focus and channel his energy. Good luck!

Answer 9

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The Health Research Institute and Pfeiffer Treatment Center
Centre Point Drive
Naperville, IL 60563
[phone]
website: www.hriptc.org
e-mail: [e-mail]

"The Carl Pfeiffer Treatment Center is a not-for-profit outpatient facility dedicated to assisting people with biochemical imbalances, with emphasis on behavior dysfunctions, learning disorders, depression and mental illness. The center is an outgrowth of 20 years of research which has shown strong evidence of the role of chemical imbalances in behavior disorders, ADD, ADHD, learning disabilities and hyperactivity. They have identified trace mental patterns which predominate in persons with behavioral or learning problems but are relatively uncommon in the general public. About 70 percent of the patients served are young people. Many have academic problems that have previously been diagnosed as learning disabled, hyperactive, or dyslexic. For most patients, the treatment process consists of two visits, followed by annual consultations. The first treatment usually takes place four months later."
http://www.lef.org/research/directoryofinnovativeclinics04.html
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Solving the Mystery of ADHD: Naturally (Paperback)
by Linda Santini

Book Description:

"A vital resource for individuals or families coping with ADHD-like symptoms!
irritability
allergies & sensitivities
moodiness
distractability
anxiety
depression
volatile temper
constant movement
behavioral problems
sleep problems
impatience
hyperactivity
inability to handle stress
difficulty with authority
anger
lack of fine motor skills
recklessness
insomnia

Does your child or loved one exhibit any of these symptoms? Are you overwhelmed by what seems like out-of-control behavior? Have you tried therapists who are all-too-willing to prescribe medication like Ritalin and Prozac for your child’s behavioral problems? Do you worry about side effects and the long-term implications of prescribed drugs? Did you know there is a simple blood test that might guide you in making safe decisions for the health of your child and family?

If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, or if you have suspected that he/she may fit this catch-all term frequently used to describe common behavioral conditions, this may be the most important book you have read in years.

A certified teacher and counselor herself, Linda Santini documents more than 20 years of dealing with ADHD-like symptoms and a wide array of treatments. From therapists to risky medications, from extreme symptoms to dangerous consequences, the author’s family experiences led her to a decade of research into the causes of ADHD and promising natural treatments. As a parent and caring professional, Santini asks the hard questions: Why are therapists and schools so eager to mask symptoms and unwilling to address causes? If there are natural treatments—and there are—that address the causes of ADHD, where do we begin? Are there better ways for parents to cope with difficult behaviors that may be biochemically based? Why are the AMA and the APA so reluctant to acknowledge the importance of natural therapies, nutrition, vitamins and minerals in the treatment of biochemical imbalances that have been proven to cause mental disorders?

AND, did you know that anxiety, ADD, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Oppositional-Defiant Disorder or ODD, depression, and Schizophrenia often result from the same treatable causes, such as Pyroluria? What if supplements like protein, B-complex, B-3, B-6, B-12, B-50, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, niacin, calcium, essential fatty acids, magnesium, and other minerals might help address the causes of your child's mental and behavioral difficulties? Would they be worthy of your research and consideration?

Santini provides a simple, clear, and understandable overview of Orthomolecular Medicine, Orthomolecular Therapy, the research of experts like Dr. Abram Hoffer, Dr. Humphrey Osmond and Dr. Carl Pfeiffer, as well as resources like the the Pfeiffer Treatment Center and how they have helped thousands of families.

Whether you are a parent, teacher, principal, medical professional, counselor, police officer, pastor, or youth worker, Solving the Mystery of ADHD—Naturally casts essential light into the dark corners too many children and families inhabit. A hopeful message for all of us striving for real mental health!"
http://www.amazon.com/Solving-Mystery-ADHD-Linda-Santini/dp/097289697X
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Metal Imbalance:
"Metal imbalance is associated with schizophrenia, behavior disorders (including ADHD), and hormonal depression (Walsh, PTC- Ref.C). "

Essential Fatty Acid (EFA) Deficiency:
"EFA’s, including omega-3 and omega-6, are good fats, not saturated with hydrogen, and unfortunately, not readily provided in the American diet. 60 % of the dry weight of the brain is fat (Horrobin, 2000). William Walsh reports an integral need for appropriate EFA supplementation in schizophrenia, ADHD, and depression (Walsh, PTC- Ref.B). EFA’s are important components of nerve cell walls and are involved in neurotransmitter electrical activity and post-receptor phospholipid mediated signal transduction. Neuronal degeneration is found commonly among people with chronic schizophrenia as they have apparent increased phospholipid neuron membrane breakdown which concentrates in the frontal cortex and other areas of the brain (Gattaz et al, 1995). EFA’s offer a means of maintaining brain membrane structure and avoiding brain mass loss (Horrobin, 2000).Some specific EFA supplements are useful in schizophrenia and help to keep neuron degeneration at bay."
http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:jHHPEPI9DVoJ:www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/nutritionschizophrenia.htm+carl+pfeiffer+adhd&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=8
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"Orthomolecular psychiatry is a branch of orthomolecular medicine that believes that specific dietary supplements and measures may be effective in treating mental illness. Specific techniques commonly employed include individual biochemical workup, dietary measures, juice fasting, supplementation of essential nutrients especially vitamins C and B-3, minerals and identifying allergies.

It has used such techniques, including megadoses of vitamins, in the treatment of alcoholism, drug addiction, anxiety, autism, depression, hyperactivity, ADHD, Alzheimer's Disease, retardation, senility, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Pioneered in the 1950s by psychiatric physician-biochemists, Abram Hoffer and Humphry Osmond in Canada, the embryonic field of orthomolecular psychiatry was further advanced by the efforts and support of Carl Pfeiffer, David Horrobin[1] and Linus Pauling."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthomolecular_psychiatry
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For some, a question of balancing nutrients
BY MARK SKERTIC STAFF REPORTER

"Twice a day, Alexandria Horel swallows a handful of pills that alter her behavior.

They help her pay attention, sit quietly at school, make it through a family meal without jumping in and out of her seat.

Alexandria is not taking Ritalin, Dexedrine, Adderall or any of the other popular stimulants used by millions of American children each day to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Rather, she downs specially prepared capsules packed with vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

"They keep me in balance,'' the eighth-grader explained.

Without the pills, she and her doctor say, she's the kind of student who can't sit still at school, wants to keep talking no matter what and just can't focus on the work in front of her.

Alexandria is a patient at the Pfeiffer Treatment Center in west suburban Naperville. Located in a nondescript office park near Interstate 88, the center has gained a national reputation for treating ADHD, depression, schizophrenia and other disorders by looking for chemical imbalances in the body.

'When a child has attention deficit disorder, you can give them Ritalin--a medication, a stimulant,'' said William Walsh, a research biochemist and the center's founder. "You can do that, but we think it's better to treat the root cause.'

For Alexandria, that meant determining if her internal chemistry was out of whack. Among her problems, the center's doctors concluded, was a zinc deficiency, which can prevent the brain's neural transmitters from working properly. The problem may have been there from birth. As a baby, Alexandria never really napped, her mother, Melinda Horel, recalled. Instead, she was the kind of baby who, when put into her crib, cried or sang until exhausted and only then fell asleep--and only briefly.

Things didn't change as Alexandria got older.

'In school, she was not able to pay attention, she would blurt things out,'' her mother said. "She would get up, be very demonstrative. She never sat through a meal. It was exhausting. Frustrating.'

They tried Ritalin and then Dexedrine, both strong stimulants, but quickly abandoned them. Alexandria just seemed to get more hyper.

Then Alexandria's family took her to Pfeiffer.

Hair, blood and urine samples were taken, and a complete family medical history was compiled. Sometimes patients lack essential fatty acids or have too much copper, Walsh explained. Their bodies might be low in some vitamins and have too much of others. When biochemistry is out of balance, he said, the brain's ability to send and receive information is impaired.

Alexandria's test results were compared with a massive biochemical database the center has built to see whether her body chemistry was off. Supplements, which are prepared at the center's pharmacy, were prescribed.

The Pfeiffer Center claims an 85 percent success rate, but Walsh adds an important caveat: during the screening process, those who are unlikely to be helped by the treatment are turned away. 'There are disorders we're not very successful with--Tourette's, obsessive/compulsive disorders, Down syndrome,' he said.

If he tried to treat those patients, he said, he would be wasting their time and money.

Success has come in treating problems such as ADHD, autism and schizophrenia, he said.

But not all doctors are persuaded. Dr. Julian Haber, author of ADHD: The Great Misdiagnosis , is among those skeptical of claims that medical problems can be reversed with diet and nutritional supplements.

'This is nothing new--if it worked so well more people would be doing it,' said Haber, a developmental/behavioral pediatrician in Texas.

Before they can be accepted as effective, the treatments used by the Pfeiffer Center need to be rigorously tested under accepted research guidelines, he said.

'You can't just go by testimonials,' Haber said, comparing them to the testimonials made in advertisements a century ago extolling the virtues of wonder drugs. Without studies to back up claims, Haber said, 'it's just the wonders of sassafras, the wonders of snake oil.'

Walsh said he's proud of the center's success and the effect it has had. A former Argonne National Laboratory researcher, he began to chart the connections between body chemistry and behavior while working, as a volunteer, with state prison inmates in the 1970s. In 1982, he founded the Health Research Institute. In those early days, he worked closely with Dr. Carl Pfeiffer, a biochemical therapist and founder of the Princeton Bio Center in New Jersey. Pfeiffer died in 1988. When the Naperville treatment center opened the following year, it carried his name.

Walsh, who goes by the title of senior scientist, is trained in chemical engineering. He leads a team of doctors and nurses.

Treatment at the Pfeiffer Center doesn't guarantee that drugs won't be necessary, Walsh emphasized.

'Our goal is not to get rid of medications--some children need them,' he said.

Joyce Tokarz of Mokena, for example, watches every day as her 12-year-old daughter Amy take a combination of Pfeiffer-prepared pills, including amino acids, calcium, magnesium, zinc and other supplements. But Amy also takes a daily dose of Adderall.

'It's a strong item, it's like speed, and I don't want her to get addicted,' Tokarz said. I want her to eventually be off all drugs completely.'

Amy was 41/2 when she was adopted by the Tokarz family. She had developmental problems from the start, but they became more of a problem as she moved forward in school.

'She can be sitting, doing her homework, and she'll just stop, walk away from it and do something else,' Tokarz said.

But the combination of a better diet, the supplement pills from Pfeiffer and Adderall seems to be helping, she added.

'This is the first year where she's learning and comprehending,'
Tokarz said. 'It's sticking with her now. She's picking it up faster because she's able to comprehend now.'

'Better screening for chemical imbalances combined with more traditional approaches is a better way of finding the answers patients need to live healthy lives,' said Robert deVito, professor emeritus at Loyola University's Stritch School of Medicine and Pfeiffer's senior consulting psychiatrist.

'Looking at vitamins, minerals, amino acids--that's just another way to help people,' deVito said."

For Health Freedom,
John C. Hammell, President
International Advocates for Health Freedom
556 Boundary Bay Road
Point Roberts, WA 98281-8702 USA
http://www.iahf.com
[e-mail]
800-333-2553 N.America
360-945-0352 World
http://www.iahf.com/orthomolecular/20031205a.html
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Commentary on Nutritional Treatment
of Mental Disorders
from Willam Walsh, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Pfeiffer Treatment Center www.hriptc.org

(The following information is taken from Dr. William Walsh's discussion on Safe Harbor's "Integrative Psychiatry" email list for professionals. To preserve Dr. Walsh's wealth of information, we have posted his comments here, with the notation of added commentary [with the date] as discussion goes on.)

ADD/ADHD

"We've treated more than 6,000 children & adults diagnosed with ADHD, ADD, or LD. There is a great variety of biochemical phenotypes within these broad classifications & completely different treatment approaches are needed. About 60% of these patients are high dopamine, low choline persons and thrive on choline-enhancing supplements. (10 Jan, 2003)

After testing & treating more than 6,000 ADHD patients, I've learned that most of these patients exhibit chemical imbalances which impact neurotransmitter concentrations and brain function. In this sense, ADHD actually is a brain disorder. In countless cases, we have seen the ADHD disappear after treatment for the imbalances. Also, there clearly is a strong genetic component to ADHD. To me, this is good news, since genetic differences are usually expressed as chemical differences.... and chemistry can be adjusted. Just because ADHD is a brain disorder does not mean that drug therapy is indicated. In my experience, more than 80% of ADHD patients respond beautifully to nutrient therapy aimed at normalizing brain chemistry & body chemistry. ADHD usually involves disturbed brain chemistry & imperfect brain function. However, drugs are not the answer in most cases.

We have seen more than 5,700 children diagnosed with ADD/ADHD and most of them were mis-diagnosed & didn't have it at all. Hundreds of these kids were extremely bright with terrific concentration for things they cared about. The major problems they experienced were boredom (number 1) and authority issues. Quite a few had OCD and oppositional/defiant tendencies which have nothing to do with ADD/ADHD. (6 Jan, 2003)

Is there a simple combination that's generally effective for ADHD?

Not really, since there are several phenotypes comprising ADHD and the treatments may be completely different and in some cases opposite. (13 Jan, 2003)

A classic component of ADHD is impulsivity. Impulsivity leads to accidents & injuries. It would be very surprising if an ADHD population didn't have a higher incidence of injuries. To complicate things, bumps on the head resulting in brain trauma can worsen ADHD. (Feb 10, 2003)

We've known for more than 20 years that the metallothionein protein system does not perform well in most ADHD patients. About 68% of them exhibit very poor control of Cu & Zn, based on lab data from more than 6,000 patients diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. Autism is different in that about 90% of patients exhibit Cu/Zn imbalances that are generally much more severe than in ADHD.

For several months, we have extended our metallothionein-promotion protocol to ADHD, behavior, depression, and schizophrenic patients who exhibit Cu/Zn imbalance. The informal results so far are very encouraging. However, we've not yet done a formal outcome study for these populations, and thus have no statistics yet.

We are considering applying MT-Promotion to Alzheimers & Parkinsons patients in the near future. Both disorders involve serious oxidative stress and abnormal trace metal levels. In addition, recent research has revealed a striking metallothionein deficiency in the brains of Alzheimers patients. (Feb 25, 2003)

The two primary ingredients for paranoid schizophrenia are (a) elevated copper levels and (b) over-methylation. In our database of more than 6,000 ADHD kids, 68% have elevated copper in blood serum. Since most ADHD individuals have one of the two SZ prerequisites, it would be a surprise if the SZ incidence were not relatively high in the ADHD population. Fortunately, very few ADHD kids become schizophrenic. (March 10, 2003)

ADHD is a real condition, but grossly overdiagnosed in the USA. NIMH estimates that the incidence is about 4.75%. However, there are states like Utah and Virginia in which more than 20% of all children are receiving Ritalin or other stimulant medication. Many parents prefer a diagnosis of ADHD to having to focus on family dynamics that might be a contributing factor...... the prospect of a "magic bullet" drug is very seductive. I agree that most children labelled ADHD don't really have it! (March 25, 2003)

Overdiagnosis of ADHD. The incidence of ADHD has been determined by NIMH to be approximately 4.75%. However, there are many areas of the country (including entire states) where more than 20% of school children are taking Ritalin or other stimulant medication for ADHD. Many children who simply have behavior problems are misdiagnosed with ADHD."
http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:521bge7693sJ:www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/walsh.htm+carl+pfeiffer+adhd+pyroluria&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=3
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Also, look into the possible diagnosis of PYROLURIA:

Hello to the parents of ADHD Children Message Board

Urinary Kryptopyrrole measurements are used to diagnosis pyroluria, along with physical examination to observe the patient for physical signs of pyroluria, and a medical history to evaluate symptoms of pyroluria.

Treatment: Treatment of pyroluria consists of replacement of zinc and vitamin B-6. Because the treatment is metabolic rather than pharmacologic, it needs to be titrated to individual requirements. A variety of factors are taken into consideration when developing a treatment regimen including: level of kryptopyrrole, body weight, age, severity of symptoms, presence of conditions affecting ability to absorb nutrients, and the presence of other metabolic conditions affecting metabolism or utilization of zinc or vitamin B-6.

Please note this is the reason why I have a clinical consultant on staff. So that your Doctor can consult regarding the test results, and their interpretation concerning specific patient conditions.

Pyroluria: Pyroluria is a feature of many behavior and emotional disorders. It is an inborn error of pyrrole chemistry that results in a dramatic deficiency of zinc and B6. Irrespective of behavior diagnosis, elevation is associated with poor tolerance of physical and emotional stress.

Zinc-An essential constituent of more than 80 enzymes and many researchers believe it to be a brain neurotransmitter. Zinc deficiency can result in irritability, anger episodes, poor memory, impaired intellectual function, impaired immune function and inability to deal with stress.

Vitamin B6-Important in the formation of many neurotransmitters. B6 deficiency is associated with agitation, irritability, depression and impaired intellectual function.

The frequency of elevated pyrrole is 30% in ADHD (Walsh).

Posted by mommaofthree: answer to question: If it is found that you have pyroluria our clinical consultant who incidently is a Dr. a the Health Research Institute d.b.a Carl Pfeiffer Treatment Center is available to consult with the Dr. of your choice regarding the test results, and their interpretation concerning specific patient conditions.

I hope I have answered your questions.

Thank you and have a great day.

Pyroluria is diagnosed with a urine test, not semen. This is my knowledge anyway.

Yes, quantitative URINARY kryptoyrrole. A RANDOM URINE SPECIMEN. Not semen
http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:ehVKy4jAwTMJ:www.adhdnews.com/testforum/test1638.htm+carl+pfeiffer+adhd+pyroluria&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=5
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