Natural alternative to calm a child?

Question

Hi, I have a 7 year old son, and I've been told by all of his teachers to take him to the docs and have him checked for add/adhd. Regular docs are nothing but drug-pushers (in my opinion). I refuse to drug my son, no matter what they say.

My question is, does anyone know of a SAFE alternative to all these horrible perscriptions (ridilin) out there? Maybe an herbal or suppliment that will calm my son, and make him more focused at school and at home? Please include specific herbs or brands if you can.
Thank you so much for your help.

wait..... COFFEE?!?! How would that work?! Wouldn't that be like trying to put out a fire with fire? Please explain this one to me.. thanks.....

Yes, he IS too smart for his class. But, if he can't get his first grade work done with the rest of the class, the teacher refuses to give him more challenging work. He can't sit still, and remain focused for long enough. The teacher is more than willing to work with him, but she's also the main one whose telling us to get him checked....

Answer 1

Hi Sweets
I am TOTALLY with you on this one.

Have you heard the stories about kids being taken from their parents over medical treatments? You know you're living in a scary world when the authorities can take your child away from you for not giving them certain medications. We've all got to stand up to big pharma and their drug-pushers: teachers and doctors.

Two things I've heard and read about for ADHD are omega-3 fatty acids and exercise! Of course you may not find too many studies on these things because no pharmaceutical company is getting rich on them.

Now, for myself, I know that I get pretty restless when I haven't exercised vigorously for a couple days. I think I was probably a kid that could have been diagnosed ADHD, but that was before it became so popular. I do ashtanga yoga, which works amazingly well.

Below I've listed a bunch of sites that deal with diet, supplements, exercise. There's also one that supports another responder's martial arts training idea about a program that trains in balance and hand-eye coordination.

Here's a selection from the first article:
"It all comes down to our chemistry. Fidgeting, concentration, sleep, energy levels, mood swings, even the ability to sweat are controlled by the chemicals lurking about our bodies. Serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, melatonin, insulin, and prostaglandins are some of the more important ones...and these in turn are influenced strongly by stress, diet, exercise, sunlight, sleep and other life style factors. Of course the life style of today is radically different than it was 20,000 years ago. Consider how these factors from modern life commonly influence us:

Being indoors (lack of sunlight): Reduced melatonin
Stress: Reduced serotonin
Modern food processing: Fatty acid imbalances and chemical sensitivities
High sugar/carbohydrate and low-fat diet: More insulin; prostaglandin imbalance
Lack of exercise: Decreased serotonin and dopamine
Lack of sleep: Reduced serotonin
Poor nutrition: Reduced serotonin
Boring classes/job, lack of activity: Reduced dopamine & norepinephrine.
Deionized air: Reduced serotonin"

Best of luck!

Answer 2

Many of the symptoms you've described are part of being a normal six year old boy. It's possible he's a tad energetic for his age and will grow out of it. If you really think he has ADHD there is a lot you can do to help without medication. A good system for many children with this disability is a rewards system. Not to be confused with bribery, the children need to work for their reward. Perhaps make a sticker chart, and for expected behavior he gets a sticker, and when he gets enough stickers he gets a reward; getting to pick out dinner or a new book or something. If you suspect he's having trouble in school, most teachers are willing to keep a communication notebook. Your son would bring a notebook to and from school today, and in it his teacher can write how he did that day, any achievements he reached or any problems he may have had. You can also write concerns you may be having or simple comments to the teacher. Let the school know what you are trying to do with your son. Keep talking to him and encouraging him to make good choices. The changes may seem small but they make a big difference. I work with children, and children with disabilities, and this is what has worked for me. I hope this helped.

Answer 3

GOOD for YOU! Don't give prescription medications to a child, specially for the child's brain, without trying everything that is natural out there.
I have read in a reliable book that experiments show that a soothing massage from the mother works wonders in balancing the child's serotonin and dopamine levels (these are the two neurotransmitters responsible for ADD/HD and also for depression).
It has been reported also that excess of cartoons or computer games that require rapid eye movement (those that change colors fast and have lots of action) can exacerbate the ADD/HD conditions. Sugar is also blamed as a culprit.
Try reducing TV, computer games and sugars. Substitute it by a gentle massage in the child's neck, shoulders, back and scalp, daily, at least 30 min. You will see the difference in about a week.
Good luck.

Answer 4

I was told once, that a child with too much energy needs to burn it somehow, it makes sense. what does you child do when he gets home from school? hopefully he's playing basketball outside or riding his bike, so when he comes back in the house, he feels exhausted. And don't worry most of the times add or adhd childrens are simply too smart! So smart and that is the reason why they are excited in school, they feel that they know everything and they are ready to move on to something else without realizing that not all the kids can learn as fast. Is he good at drawing, which Im sure he is, give him a blank book and colors and tell him to make up a story, it is a really good way to keep them occupied, with their mind constantly busy. I don't believe in medications either, there are natural medicine out there, they just won't discole the content because they will lose money! That's my opinion. Everybody needs to cope with their problem and learn how to control it, it's a matter of time. Those medical conditions did not exist a while back...... Good luck!

Answer 5

if you live in a small town this will work. I use to send coffee with my son to school and the teachers would give him a cup before he did certain subjects. coffee will work. When I moved to a big city, the teachers refused to do this. but for 5 years I kept my son off of ridilin by just giving him coffee.

Answer 6

A small amount of coffee used to be used in the old days. ADD drugs are just speed (amphetamines) and coffee is also a stimulant.
http://www.tastesoftheworld.net/Coffee-ADD-ADHD-Press.html

A no-sugar/no simple carb diet would help a lot, but you'd have to be vigilant about the processed foods containing corn syrup, maltodextrtose, sucralose, etc. Teaching him how to focus would help- people aren't born with the ability to focus or concentrate. Martial arts is a good way to learn it.

Answer 7

There are tons of stuff out there... Let's see what I can recall off the top of my head

Calmes Forte

Gaba

Coffee

I think someome makes a product called Kitalin... an all natural version of Ritalin..

Hope that helps

Alex

Answer 8

http://www.amritaveda.com/doctors/default.asp
Take him to an expert in holistic medicine. The above link is 2 specialists from India who are incredible. They will definitely be able to help your son.

Answer 9

look up INDIGO Children on the web... they have many professionals, parent and child groups that have alot of experience in this area.
remember herbs can also cause side effects and be dangerous even causing death...make sure your information comes from a professional in herbal medicine.

Answer 10

there is an private label (can't get in stores, only online) energy drink out there called XS that is sugar free but has caffeine (athough there are also non-caffeinated versions). a friend of mine has a son who takes meds during the week for add/adhd but on weekends they give him 2 XS (4 hrs apart) and it does the same. if you email me i can send you more info and a free sample.