A natural approach to addressing ADHD and ADD symptoms without resorting to powerful prescription drugs is possible through diet changes and a few other tactics. Diet changes can help to calm down the brain and nervous system so that emotional management and learning skills can be learned and integrated into daily life.
The idea that diet choices can affect behavior was first suggested by Dr. Benjamin Feingold, a pediatrician. This was in the 1970’s and today it’s commonly known how refined sugar and “junk food” can negatively effect behavior and learning ability.
Feingold was one of the first people to notice how processed food additives like artificial flavor, coloring and preservatives sometimes caused sensitivities or true allergies in people with ADHD and other similar conditions.
While changing diet may not be easy, it often is a necessary first step in ensuring that young people get proper treatment. Experience has shown that without treatment ADHD does not just go away on its own. The earlier a person begins treatment, the sooner she will develop emotional management skills that are necessary to succeed.
With naturopathic doctors and other natural health care providers today it’s standard natural treatment practice to include an ADHD diet for kids along with other strategies. The usual recommendation is that ADHD patients should try to avoid and eliminate as many artificial food additives as possible.
Many times this may involve switching from processed foods to organic and natural foods. This doesn’t necessarily mean more work since there is now a large are selection of prepared foods available in many health food areas in grocery stores.
Dietary changes along with ADHD supplements, nutritional supplements and exploring other options like learning skills and behavioral therapy is the path that many natural health care providers are using to successfully control ADHD symptoms without drugs.
Homeopathic remedies are also an effective natural way to address ADD. Homeopathy has many advantages. Side effects are rarely experienced since ADHD herbal remedies are extremely gentle and may even be used safely with babies and small children. Other benefits are economy and easy availability without a prescription.
Unlike prescription ADHD/ADD medications, homeopathic medicine does not cover-up or suppress symptoms but instead works with the body’s natural healing ability to address the underlying cause of imbalance..
natural remedies for ADHD like ginkgo biloba have been shown to increase levels of neurotransmitters as well as increasing blood flow to the brain. The positive changes in the brain that are made by ginkgo become permanent, making long term use unnecessary.
Other herbs that are known to help with ADHD by supporting nervous system and brain functions are Brahmi, Gotu Kola, Skullcap and St. John’s wort.Anxiety, restlessness, insomnia and fear may also be addressed by using these herbs.
