“Natural Medication” for ADHD and Anxiety?

Question by Hannah: “Natural Medication” for ADHD and anxiety?
What are some “natural medications” for ADHD and anxiety?

Preferably something well-known, and something I could find at a local drug or grocery store.

Best answer:

Answer by Carol
My son is bipolar and has ADHD. We give him Holy Basil, which is usually only found in a vitamin store. Magnesium also seems to calm him down.
You have to be careful with herbs though. If you’re on medication ask your pharmacist if it’s safe to take.

Answer by Tony I
You can’t get everything I am going to tell you at the grocery store, but this is what my best advice is about ADD (and ADHD):

One must remember that the brain is a vital organ just like the heart, lungs, liver, etc., and it needs optimum nutrition to function properly. Sadly, today’s SAD diet of fast foods, snacks & junk foods, microwavable meals and processed foods on the grocers shelves has left most of our kids, and us, woefully deficient in a great many nutrients the body was designed to utilize. Sometimes the consequences manifest themselves early on, and other times it is down the road a ways. But you can bet that there will be consequences if not addressed and corrected.

The first thing to do is to cut one’s consumption of sugar to a minimum. Excessive refined sugar has been linked heavily to ADD, ADHD, bipolar, depression and other mental disorders. Also avoid alcohol, caffeine, and refined foods.

Eat good sources of lean protein, such as cold water fish, including salmon, herring, and mackerel and free range organic chicken and turkey.

Carbohydrates are an essential energy source for the body and mind. However, one must insure that they are receiving the proper carbohydrates. Unhealthy carbohydrates will only result in too much sugar causing the problems we are trying to prevent. Healthy carbohydrates can be found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Examples are: apples, oranges, peaches, grapefruit, carrots, brussel sprouts, beans, and whole wheat bread. Exercise caution when buying products such as bread. Many that say whole wheat are nothing of the sort. Read the ingredients and make sure that it is 100% whole wheat and that it does not contain “enriched” or “bleached” flour.

The suggestion to use magnesium is excellent (so is the Holy Basil suggestion). It is variously estimated that 80-95% of us are deficient in magnesium and symptoms include mental disorders including light or restless sleep and daytime sleepiness along with inability to concentrate. Be sure to supplement on a 1 to 2 or 1 to 3 ratio with calcium, as they are important co-factors.

Some other suggested essentials from one of my favorite sourcebooks, Phyllis Balch’s “Prescription for Nutritional Healing” are:

* Either Elafax Focus from Efamol or Kyolic Acid from Wakunaga as directed on the labels (to restore proper fatty acid balance)
* GABA (Gamma-amino-butyric acid) 750 mg per day (calms the body much like tranquilizers without the side effects)
* Pycnogenol and/or Grapeseed Extract as directed on the label (both are powerful antioxidants offering cellular protection for the body and brain)
* Quercitin as directed on the label (prevents allergies from aggavating symptoms)
* SAMe (S-Adenosylmethionine) as directed on the label (aids in relieving stress and pain – but do not use in the event of manic-depressive disorder or if on prescription antipressants)
* Gingko enhances blood supply to the brain and improves nerve cell function, as well as enhances emory and other intellectual functions.Typical dosage: 40 – 60 mg of standardized extract capsules 3 times a day.

Ms. Balch notes that Valerian root extract has been used for ADD with dramatic results and no side effects. Mix the alcohol free extract in juice (as directed on the product label according to age) and drink the mixture two or three times a day.

Lastly, consider a good all around whole food vitamin, mineral and other essential nutrient product such as the outstanding nutritional product IntraMAX. It is advertised, quite correctly in my opinion, as a 100% Organic MicroComplexed™ IntraCELL™ Level IV Technology product which contains a total of 415 Nutrients all in one – with perfect whole foods and phyto nutrition and is super energizing. It is rightfully touted as the most scientifically advanced, clinically proven, health promoting organic nutritional supplement available today.

Containing trace minerals, vitamins and other nutrients and the following listed benefits pertaining to mental function:

* Solid Nutritional Foundation
* Neuro-Cognitive Brain Function
* Digestion
* Focus and Concentration
* Mood Regulation
* Short and Long Term Memory
* Sleep and Wake Cycle
* Immune System Response
* Sugar Control
* Respiratory Support
* Growth and Development

The child version of intraMAX is named intraKID, and has the same listed benefits (and costs less).

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