Natural Remedies for ADD and ADHD

Are you seeking effective natural remedies for ADD and ADHD?

Aside from behavioral and pharmacological interventions for ADHD / ADD, there are a number of natural ways to reduce the symptoms of the disorder.

One increasingly popular way of treating ADHD / ADD is through dietary changes. It may be a good idea to discuss the intent to make nutritional treatment a part of ADHD / ADD treatment with a physician or nutritionist, to ensure that the child will still receive adequate nutritional intake.

Generally, natural remedies for ADD / ADHD in the form of ADHD-focused diets center upon limiting or eliminating potential allergens in the diet. Parents and studies report behavioral changes with removal of the following from a child’s diet:

• Any artificial coloring (especially yellow, red, and green)
• Chemical additives - i.e. BHT, BHA, etc.
• Milk
• Chocolate
• Eggs
• Wheat
• Foods containing salicylates, such as berries, chili powder, apples and cider, cloves, grapes, oranges, peaches, peppers (bell and chili), plums, prunes, and tomatoes

It is important to note that in several studies of these types of diets, a number of children dropped out due to illness, and although certain studies have shown the success of these diets in treating ADHD / ADD, these results have not been corroborated in any reputable study.

Among the natural remedies for ADD / ADHD is the Feingold Diet, a salicylate and additive-free diet which is the most well-known diet for ADHD. Difficulties have been reported due to the fact that it requires constant vigilance over a child’s eating. Moreover, there has been doubt as to the diet’s capacity to provide sufficient nutritional value. Nonetheless, this diet has been successful with a number of children.

It is important to discuss plans to implement the Feingold Diet (or anything else that would impose a significant change, for that matter) with one’s physician. Regardless of the efficacy of eliminating certain foods in dealing with ADHD / ADD, it is certainly wise to avoid unnatural additives in food, and to generally focus upon a diet consisting of natural foods.

Among natural remedies for ADD / ADHD, there are a number of other dietary remedies that have been implicated in successful treatment of ADHD. A significant number of people advocate the use of omega-3 fatty acids as a helpful dietary cure for ADHD.

Although excess zinc in one’s diet is quite unhealthy, it is important for individuals with ADHD to have significant zinc in their diets, due to the role it is thought to play in certain neurological processes.

Aside from dietary intervention, there are a number of natural remedies for ADD / ADHD. People with ADHD may benefit from daily massage therapy, relaxation training, meditation, and music therapy. It is thought that these therapies can help to improve mood, decrease “nervous energy” associated with ADHD, and improve focus. Essential oils, and in particular, lavender oil, are also thought to have the ability to reduce the symptoms of ADHD.

Herbal supplements are quite prevalent in the treatment of ADHD, too. Because there are a wide variety of options, it is important to try out different herbs / combinations to find out which is appropriate for oneself, in consultation with a physician, of course. Melatonin, oral flower essence, gingko biloba, ginseng and pine bark extract have had positive effects on ADHD-afflicted persons in the past. It is important to note, however, that herb use in children is generally not recommended.

Because the medications that are currently available for ADHD are so strong and have rather wide-ranging effects, it is important to consider alternative treatments of the disorder. Indeed, more and more people are seeking natural remedies for ADD / ADHD.

Dietary changes, herbal supplements, and different types of alternative therapies are all wonderful options for coping with ADHD and ADD. Although no treatment course should be undertaken without the assistance of a physician, it is important to advocate for oneself in this capacity - since, especially with regard to ADHD, physicians are quite eager to prescribe something.

Exploring natural courses of treatment and then, if necessary, moving on to pharmacological options, is probably the best approach to treating ADHD / ADD, and indeed most diseases. In seeking suitable natural remedies for ADD / ADHD, working with a qualified natural health care practitioner would be a good idea.

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