The idea that conditions involving behavior can be effectively treated with herbs has been around for thousands of years. On the other hand ADHD as a recognized condition has only been around for less than 50 years. So the idea of using an ADHD herbal remedy is a relatively new one that is generally considered a safe and effective way of treating the condition, especially when paired with other non prescription solutions.

The primary symptoms that define attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are inattention/distractibility, impulsive behavior, and hyperactivity in children and restlessness in adults. Let’s explore a few herbs that have shown some degree of efficacy in managing these symptoms.

*Vinpocetine: Do you recognize this herb? I would venture to say probably not! What about a periwinkle plant? The answer would probably be yes. This is perhaps one of the more beneficial ingredients used in a handful of ADHD herbal remedies that has garnered very little attention outside the homeopathic community. This substance has two interesting properties that relate to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. First, it increases dopamine levels. Dopamine is one of the two and possibly three brain chemical messengers thought to be responsible for ADHD symptoms. It is also the one most prescription medications focus on. Second, vinpocetine increases blood flow to the part of the brain responsible for self regulation, especially those in the frontal lobe. There is a good chance that this ADHD herbal remedy will gain notoriety at some point but only time will tell.

*Ginkgo biloba: We now move from the obscure to the obvious. Gingko is the most popular herbal medicine in several European countries. The active components of ginkgo leaves are molecules called flavonoid glycosides attached to sugars unique to ginkgo. It is used by naturopathic doctors in the treatment of many different concentration based conditions including ADHD. The theory goes that ginkgo stabilizes tissue membranes, particularly in the brain and enhances the use of oxygen and glucose. The bottom line you think clearer are remember better. It is also worth noting that gotakola is often taken in combination with ginkgo to enhance its effectiveness.

*St.John’s Wort: St. John’s wort increases serotonin levels in the brain. It also acts as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, so it enhances the activity of dopamine and norepinephrine as well. So in essence it has some impact on all three neurotransmitters linked to attention deficit disorder. Some people with ADHD find that St. John’s Wort helps them to feel more emotionally balanced, especially when anxiety and/or depression are co-existing conditions. Nevertheless, some research suggests that it is the balance and interaction between neurotransmitter chemicals that is the root cause of ADHD symptoms. This would explain why, as an ADHD herbal remedy, St. John’s Wort works well for some and not so well for others.

What Next? For those struggling with ADHD finding an effective treatment option is a good first step. The most common form of treatment are prescription stimulants such as Ritalin, Adderall and Vyvanse. While effective, all stimulant medications come with a number of serious label warnings. The risk of side effects, or perhaps lack of success with stimulants, has prompted many to investigate other options. A couple examples of this are behavior modification therapy and/or natural remedies. Natural remedies for ADHD are a side effect free way to address such problematic symptoms as inattention, distractibility, impulsivity, erratic behavior and hyperactivity and can be used both as a standalone treatment or as a compliment to other nonprescription alternatives.

R.D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate for the use of natural health products and natural living with over 10 years
experience in the field.
Learn more about natural remedies and natural health at
Purchase Remedies.com

Article Source: ADHD Herbal Remedy – Three Herbs Commonly Used For Treating ADHD