Natural Remedies

The following is information we have gathered or that has been sent to us, on Homeopathic, Herbal and other natural alternative treatments for ADD/ADHD and behavioral disorder problems. It is by no means to be taken as medical advice. It is purely information provided so that you may make up your own mind and of course, as with taking any medication, this should only be done in consultation with your doctor or pharmacist. Simon Hensby, adders.org

Homeopathic & Herbal Treatments

Herbal remedies are self explanatory but what about homeopathy, here's a definition:

Homeopathy, noun. the method of treating diseases by very small doses of drugs, which in large doses would produce in a healthy person symptoms similar to those of the disease.

There is a lot of evidence to favor the use of homeopathic, herbal and other natural remedies for many ailments or conditions and ADD/ADHD is no exception. After all, the base elements of most drugs are from natural substances.

We were not totally convinced of the beneficial effect that Ritalin was having on our son Richard and whilst we agreed that it certainly did have some effect, we were not and are not, going to discount any other remedy that might be available. Homeopathic remedies seem to work best with people of certain metabolisms i.e. in harmony with your particular body make up, so that whilst one type of remedy might work well with a small dark haired person, it might not work so well with a large red head and so forth. There are qualified homeopathic practitioners who can advise you on the best treatment.

Ambrotose(ManAloe), PhytAloe or PhytoBears and Sport

Rose Hilsendager wrote to us about these Glyco-Nutritionals...
..."An increasing number of scientists believe that certain carbohydrates represent the next frontier in both medical and nutritional research. The most basic component of health starts at the cellular level ,and cells must be able to communicate with each other to appropriately fulfill their genetic functions.

When the language of the cells gets garbled so that the message is no longer clear ,health problems can occur. Scientists have learned that glycoproteins molecules found on the surface of all cells play a key role in all cellular communication. The name, glycoprotein, is derived from the molecules' composition :sugar(glyco) and protein. Since up to 85% of glycoproteins are composed of eight basic monosaccharides,the dietary need for these is important.

Recognizing this, Mannatech has developed the first supplements that provide the eight sugars needed for correctly structured and ,therefore, optimally functioning glycoproteins.

Mannatech is thrilled to be able to bring this exciting technology to market with the introduction of Ambrotose. Patent claims have been filed to protect Ambrotose from competition for the next 20 years.

The products most beneficial to sufferers of ADHD are Ambrotose(ManAloe), PhytAloe or PhytoBears and Sport."

The web address for Mannatech is: www.mannatech-inc.com and you can order their products through http://www.phytomed.com.
These products will apparently soon be available in the UK.

Comments received by email....

My son and husband both have ADD. Sometimes it can about drive the one without the ADD nuts I think. But at any rate, we are on Mannatech (have decided we cannot live without it) although my husband says the Manaloe is much more effective for his body than the Ambrotose.

But here is a second thing we have found helpful. An organization called the Handle Institute. They taught my son exercises and I think have helped him tremendously also in dealing with his condition. You can visit them at www.handle.org

Be Calm'd
According to the web page, it says.......

"Be Calm'd has had dramatic results on children and adults with ADD and ADHD. Over 50% of all patients were able to completely remove themselves off of Ritalin and other drugs, once they began taking Be Calm'd."

Biometics - (Water-Soluable Vitamins)
Jane wrote to us about Biometics....

"My son is ADHD (diagnosed at age 5) and was taking Ritalin and Catapres for a year. They were not helping much. He had a loss of appetite, eye twitches, stomach aches, upset tummy and headaches. I found a brochure with information about water-soluble vitamins, got the information and ordered the products for 30 days (30 day money back guarantee for any reason). Within 2 weeks my son's progress was great. After being on the vitamins for one month, he was off his Ritalin and Catapres. I notified his doctor and also sent info to her office as well. He will be in 1st grade this year and he will be going to school without any Ritalin just his vitamins which are liquids and powders mixed in his favorite juice, Grape Kool-Aid. My husband also tested for ADD and tried multiple medications but had one reaction after another to the meds. He was advised by his doctor to discontinue his medications and since these vitamins were working to continue to take them.

The web site for these water-soluble vitamins is www.biometics.com. It is a great place of information about the company and the products and what they can do. They make no medical claims but I have testimonials from children and adults (who are either ADD or ADHD) and their success with these products.

I got in this home based business because the products were so great for my son and husband and to let others know that they do not have to go the route I did with the meds and still be in the same position down the road.

Please email me at jriggs5@yahoo.com if reading this has you helped you to know a little more about Biometics and what it can do or if there are other questions I might could help you with."

Chamomile - Matricaria chamomilla

The following is excerpted from the Health Search newspaper published by Wilson Publications, Owensboro, KY 42303

Chamomile is mild sedative, used customarily in mild sleep disorders, particularly in children. It helps digestion and nervous stomach, soothes upper respiratory tract, is also antibacterial and promotes wound healingH. In Germany, chamomile (matricara) extracts alone or in combination are a component of more than 90 licensed medicines. The German Kommission E Monograph states that chamomile has no contradictions, side effects or interactions.

According to the Naturopathic Book of Herbal Formulas chamomile is an excellent nervine that relaxes and tones the nervous system and is especially useful in treating digestive problems such as gas, colic, or ulcers produced by anxiety. It is safe for children of all ages in treating nervousness or teething pain and can be added to the bath water. Chamomile is a sleep aid, a mild antimicrobial and an anti-catarrhal helpful in removing excess mucous in the sinus are.

German chamomile has been used since ancient times in treating colic, diarrhea, indigestion, insomnia, infantile convulsions, toothache, bleeding and swollen gums.

Cytobuddies

Karen from the USA writes......

"My son was diagnosed with ADD in the 4th grade. He was always a good child but he just could not concentrate on anything for long. He understood his work and the answers came quick and were usually right, but to put them on paper was like a punishment. He would sit and stare at the paper trying to figure out a way to do it the quickest and it would take hours even though he knew the answer. It was very frustrating for all. My niece in the meantime (she's a twin) was diagnosed with severe ADD. She couldn't retain what she learned the day before let alone the year before in school. We were both urged to put them on medication and we felt uncomfortable with this. We were introduced to Achiever's Unlimited Inc. Vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, herbs etc... We gave it a try.

Not only did my son come off 3 steroid inhalers three times per day...he improved greatly in school. He has been able to concentrate better and get more work done faster in school and retained a high grade point average. My niece in the meantime improved to the point that the first year on the vitamins (cytobuddies) she was able to complete two years of school work in one year with a grade point average in the 90's. We are so pleased with these products and the results our children experienced we are passing the word to as many as possible. We realize what works for one may not be the answer for all...but I really believe it may be the answer for many. If you're interested you can pull up their website on the world wide web at www.achieversunltd.com  and my distributor ID# is 60666420. We became distributors because my entire family takes several products per day and we have been healthier and are so excited with the results. If you feel this would be an option for you please contact me and let me know how I can help! Each product costs $29.95 for a 30-day supply and carry a 100% 30-day money-back guarantee if you're not completely satisfied. They accept Visa, MC, Discover and Visa Debit Cards and you can order toll free 1-800-684-8856. Or you can order directly through me.

Children with ADHD may want to add a product to the Cytobuddies call Tranquell. This is a High B Vitamin Complex with St. Johns Wort and other helpful herbs. Here's a Link to Achiever's Unlimited Inc. On Cytobuddies and Tranquell

Achievers Unlimited Products: CytoBuddies

Achievers Unlimited Products: Tranquell

Sincerely,

Karen
Email:WILKARE@aol.com

Efalex - This is a combination of a fish oil and evening primrose oil, which I am informed can be bought at most Boots Chemists and if effective, direct from manufacturers in Surrey with a substantial discount.

Debbie Wells of Kernow Information and Support Service ( K.I.S.S ) in Cornwall wrote to us saying......

"Efalex is distributed for efamol Ltd., by Zyma Healthcare, Mill Rd , Holmwood , Nr Dorking, Surrey RH5 4NU. They also have an Information service: (UK 01483 ) 570248. They will also supply you with research papers on Efalex and it's use and researched effectiveness. At the moment there are two sizes available 1. 56 capsules -costing approx. -£7:99 2. 240 caps- costs approx. £24:99. The initial dosage for children over 5yrs is: 4 caps morning & eve for the first 12wks, under 5yrs 2-3 caps morn & eve., this can then be reduced. Zyma will sell direct 3 large tubs at a total of £45 a saving of aprox £35 but it is said it can take 3 months to see a result ( we noticed an immediate difference , but as with other remedies some report no beneficial effects )."

Shelley Johnston writes......

"Just a quick note to pass along, we have found effalex to be ineffective for Jeffrey and are currently looking for alternatives. I have tried Pycnogenol with out much success but I must say it helped my older son who suffers from adhd but in a much less severe fashion."

Joanne Hall writes......

"We live in Vancouver , Canada. Our 9 year old son is ADD. He has been taking ritalin for 18 months now with marked improvement in his academic peformance. About 3 months ago, we began giving him Efalex Focus. Since then we have noticed that he is more cooperative, less argumentative and less upset when things don't go his way. Since the ritalin is out of his system when we are with him in the evenings, and he doesn't take it on weekends we will continue giving him the efalex focus and hope that it continues! "

Evening Primrose Oil - This has been tried extensively by many people with a lot of quite astounding success stories. We have to say though, we tried it with Richard for a long period with no obvious effect. This does not mean however, that it does not work for others.

The Feingold Diet/Program

A special diet program that many parents swear by. Moira from South Africa wrote to us saying......

"Hello Simon,
I must tell you some information which a friend passed on to me. She has a son, who is now 21 years old, doing his Masters Degree in Engineering. When he was 15 months old, her doctor diagnosed him as having the same problem as Richard. He put him on Ritalin, but she was not happy and spent considerable time and effort to try an alternative method. She eventually got hold of a book, written by Ben F. Feingold, MD, called "Why your child is hyperactive". He apparently runs (or did at the time) a clinic at Kaiser-Permanente Medical Centre in San Francisco. He stated that most learning difficulties are caused by artificial food flavours and colours. She experimented with all sorts of foods and discovered over time exactly what caused his mood swings. From being an impossible and what teachers called a backward child, he overcame his problems and is now a brilliant student."

For further details go to the Feingold Association's web site at http://www.feingold.org/indexx.html

Fresh Lemon Balm - Melissa officinals

The following is excerpted from the Health Search newspaper published by Wilson Publications, Owensboro, KY 42303

Melissa is an aromatic herb with a distinctly spicy, lemony taste. In traditional medicine I was considered a cure-all for a number of conditions including nervous problems, insomnia, female discomforts, headache, toothache, sores, cramps, tumors, and insect bites. Melissa's various actions include carminative, diaphoretic, anti-spasmodic, stomachic and emmenagogue.

In Europe, where the study of natural medicines is much more advanced than in the U.S. there is a German Kommission E Monograph regarding Melissa, attesting to its clinical uses in nervous disturbance of sleep, functional gastrointestinal disorders, and as an appetite stimulant for those needing it. Further studies with Melissa have revealed strong antiviral properties, especially with regard to herpes virus in a topical application. Long celebrated for its benefits with hyperactivity in children, Melissa, when combined with other similar sedative herbs according to the German Kommission E may be advantageous.

Fruit and whole seed grain cookies or Backup Bar

Jim Sisseck from Spokane, Washington writes..... "I have found something helping many young people in my area with this. The problem seems to arise from the effects of their pancreas on the normal industrialized country diet although grinding grain is pretty pandemic now. In the newest of generations some reactions have occurred that bring about what I call "energy shortage desperation" which leads to all the activities we would associate with desperation. To bypass this, provide the children with cookies made of fruit and whole seed grain. The fruit causes greater saliva and starch breaking enzyme, the grain in large enough particles provides a continuous energy supply over long periods of time. Whole seeds are an oft unrecognized form of fiber that is what the bowel is seeking when "your stomach growls" and may actually still exist to a small extent on exit. Typically stimulants like ritalin help return liver stored carbohydrates to the bloodstream at the expense of dependency for depletion of adrenalin stores. The body uses adrenalin to do this job and as the stores are depleted is less and less able to do it on its own. I've seen almost about faces in as little as a month on high quantities of whole seed and reduction of "fast and slow sugars" such as sugar to farina. All these ground grain products are into the bloodstream quickly and either into the liver or the cells. Once there and not in the bowel it takes great energy to retrieve them. Those suffering ADD seem to lack that energy."

I wrote and asked Jim for a recipe and he replied...."This is a part of a publication I am amassing call "What if You Could" which has the full explanation of the reasons for the "Back Up System Diet" We started making bad food before we even knew there was bad food. Now we're chasing the bad food and neglecting the good food. As for a recipe for the "Backup Bar" there is not an actual recipe. A recipe calls for specific ingredients and this has more permutations than Einstein.

Procedure for making "Backup Bar"

Make standard white bread dough the consistency of thick cream.
(alt; thin commercial frozen bread dough with water)
Lightly steam whole seed grain except oats, corn, rice. Protein balanced with raw nuts.
(See "Diet for a Small Planet" by Frances Moore Lappe)
In bowl, mix thin bread dough into grain until grain adheres.
Add one quarter cup brown or turbinado sugar for each quart of grain mix.
(Used to make certain cookie will be palatable-your discretion)
Roll between waxed paper until about one quarter inch thick.
Lay out strips of crushed fruit (apple, cranberry, anything but citrus)
(season to taste with cinnamon, etc.)
Once rolled and pinched, baste with dough and sprinkle with flour.
Bake as rolls or Danish.
When done, spray or baste with fruit juice, dust with powdered sugar to increase saliva.
Enzyme in saliva is needed to convert starch to sugar and the enzyme must be at maximum to last long enough to provide long term energy.

Cookie is to be eaten Chinese style, before anything else.

Follow with high fat diet. Low fat diets as good diets was a theory, a bad theory."

Ginko Biloba

We have also had reports of this herb helping with the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Check out the following web page for more information. http://www.vitawise.com/topic130.htm

Gotu Kola - Centella asiatica

The following is excerpted from the Health Search newspaper published by Wilson Publications, Owensboro, KY 42303

Also known as Centella asiatica, this oriental herb has demonstrated mild tranquilizing, anti-anxiety and anti-stress effects, as well as enhancing mental functions such as concentration. It is commonly used to improve memory and treat fatigue, both mental and physical.

KidsPlex

Janet from Atlanta wrote to us saying......

"Your site mentioned your son having ADHD. In Atlanta, a lot of kids have taken KidsPlex that you can get at GNC health stores - and it has really made a difference for a lot of them. (I have Narcolepsy...and I chose the alternative route for treatment. The typical drug prescribed for this is ritalin - & on my worst day I'm still doing better than someone taking this drug on their best day.)

The stuff I take is made by Reliv (www.Reliv.com) - and I've heard that a lot of the ADHD kids who take it also improve. (But there isn't anything just for kids like with KidsPlex.) One doctor did an independent study - the report is a little hard to read, but interesting. That's another reason I really think good nutrition is critical for ADHD kids. It's interesting that both are powders to be mixed into drinks. I've read that your body absorbs better from liquids than pills/capsules.

The company that makes Plex products is Naturade Inc (Performance Nutrition), Paramount California 90723. It is made in the USA. Their internet address is: www.naturade.com Their toll free phone number is 800-421-1830, but I don't know if 800 numbers work internationally. If not, their phone number is (714) 573-4800. One of the people I have heard talk about this product is a local Christian doctor who has a LOT of integrity & I have a lot of respect for him and his knowledge. He has seen so many children helped by it that he now encourages parents to get this for their ADHD children. It's because of his promotion of it that I'm giving you all this information. I know he wouldn't promote something that he didn't believe would help. And I know how thankful I am to not be taking ritalin or cylert or...the list goes on... as I'm sure you know. It seems a lot of the drugs prescribed for ADHD are also prescribed for narcolepsy."

Melotone

Kerri wrote to us saying......

"I have a 7 year old son (Lee) with ADHD. Lee reacted very badly to Ritalin and became extremely moody, depressed and aggressive whilst taking it. I have now found a product called Melotone (marketed in South Africa by a company called Sportron) which is absolutely fantastic. It is a natural product, full of vitamins and fatty acids, and it has made a huge difference to Lee's life. For the first time ever, he actually wants to sit down and learn his numbers or colour in and draw, he is becoming more confident and less restless. To ascertain whether it was the Melotone that helped, I took him off it for a couple of weeks and his ADHD behavioural problems reappeared. He's now back on Melotone and will stay on it now!

I found this information on Melotone on the Net, and as I mentioned before I can highly recommend this product. I have absolutely no commercial interest in Sportron, I am just a very satisfied customer and mother. Just another note, a highly respected South African homeopath/osteopath/naturopath, Dr L Pleass, prescribes Melotone and other Sporton products to his patients. I live in South Africa so I don't know whether if it available in the UK. This particular website is American. http://www.pwst.com/sportron/melosyru.html

The 'natural' alternative to Ritalin.

What is Melotone Syrup? Melotone Syrup is a liquid nutritional supplement specifically designed for children and adults who require essential fatty acids and who prefer supplementation in liquid form. Essential fatty acids are nutrients which are important for concentration, skin integrity and normal activity levels. How does the Melotone Syrup work? Melotone Syrup provides essential nutrients such as Evening Primrose Oil and Salmon Oil. Minerals such as Calcium, Magnesium and Chromium, and a wide range of vitamins, including the B vitamins, are also included. Melotone Syrup is presented in a fructose and honey base, as many people have a sensitivity to refined and simple sugars. Who should take Melotone Syrup? Melotone Syrup is especially useful in meeting the nutritional needs of ADHD children. ADHD children have an increased need for nutritional support to enhance their development and performance. Melotone Syrup provides these essential nutrients and co-factors.

Each 5ml Contains Amount %USRDA
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 3 mg 200%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 3 mg 180 %
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 3 mg 15%
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) 3 mg 30%
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCL) 3 mg 150%
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) 12 mcg 210%
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) 200 mg 340%
Vitamin D 50 IU 15%
Calcium (Lactate) 35 mg 4%
Magnesium (Lactate) 12.5 mg 4%
Zinc 7.5 mg 50%
Methyl Sulfonyl Methane 50 mg
Glycine 50 mg
L-Taurine 25 mg
Chromium (Polynicotinate) 30 mcg
Vanadium 10 mcg
Salmon Oil 250 mg
Evening Primrose Oil 500 mg

Regards Kerri"

Nux Vomica - This homeopathic remedy has really fired our enthusiasm. We were told by our pharmacist that we could use it for Richard (13 years old, about 10 stone (140lbs)) in conjunction with Ritalin, with no adverse effect. Nux Vomica is a tree that grows in China, Burma, Thailand and Australia. The fruit contains seeds which are bitter because of the poison, strychnine (no it doesn't work because it kills off the patient!!).

We tried Richard on strength 6, with some really excellent results. Infact he had a Ritalin holiday over a school half term week, when he had nothing but Nux Vomica, one three times a day, dissolved on the tongue. He was a lot more lively than when on Ritalin, infact more like the old Richard, but without flying off into a stress/tantrum every five minutes. We didn't have one tantrum all week. Now, we do still administer Ritalin, in conjunction with Nux Vomica, but only when he needs it i.e. sometimes when he's getting too 'high' at school, which is becoming less often these days. We're beginning to wonder if he can infact learn, as he seems to be doing, to do without Ritalin altogether and channel this wonderful extra energy into positive tasks. He seems to be more able to do this now that he's got his self esteem and confidence back to a much higher level.

Other members of our group have recorded similar results with their children and Nux Vomica. Several swear by it. One mum gave it to her two lads who were both awaiting diagnosis, both in their late teens, one of whom was very much a handful. The results were so dramatic, now that they have both been diagnosed, she's not stopping the use of Nux Vomica. Since we told her about Nux, she's been telling us how it's changed her and their lives and she can finally see the light a the end of a long and particularly dark tunnel. Other mums have told us similar stories. Don't get the idea that we are pushing or promoting the use of this remedy, we just told these parents who were particularly desperate and at the end of their tether, about the effect it had had on our Richard and that it might be worth considering as an option.

One last point, the suggested dose of two tablets to be dissolved on the tongue made Richard feel a bit sick so he only has one. Also, don't be put off by the claim on the pack that Nux is just for the treatment of hangovers, it's not!

Passionflower - Passiflora incarnata

The following is excerpted from the Health Search newspaper published by Wilson Publications, Owensboro, KY 42303

Popular since the Aztec civilization as a sedative, diaphoretic and analgesic, passionflower has numerous chemicals to beneficially influence the brain, nervous system and the circulation. Non-toxic, it is widely used in childhood nervous conditions.

As a sedative, passionflower is a preferred herb for treating insomnia; one wakes rested without a sedated feeling. As an antispasmodic it is helpful in Parkinson's disease, asthma especially with much spasmodic activity, seizures and hysteria.

Pycnogenol - Proanthocyanadin - Boron - ADHD+Free+Radical
Bill Scott of Michigan wrote to us about his grandson, Christopher......

"My purpose in writing is to agree that Ritalin helps to focus the person, so they will pay attention (some times), but it does nothing for behaviour problems. We started giving Christopher a substance called PYCNOGENOL about 8 months ago and it has helped tremendously with his behaviour problems. PYCNOGENOL is made from the bark of the Maritime Pine Tree in the south of France. It is from the family, PROANTHOCYANIDIN, of which there are many cheaper alternatives. You can purchase, from health food stores, straight Proanthocyanadin,or...we have been using grape seed extract, with about the same results. Christopher is about 142 lbs at 12 years of age,and we give him a 50Mg tablet 3 times per day.

I am not a doctor, but from what I have read it works like this, and I will be using the term Proanthocyanidin, because that is the root family. All of these "food supplements" are basically anti-oxidants, which act to transport free-radical damage out of the body. They are 50 times more powerful then aspirin. One needs to be aware that if the child has FM (Fibromyalgia), you shouldn't be using any plant based product. Assuming that your child may not also have FM, there should not be a problem. For kids with E-I (Emotional Impairment) disturbances and/or ADHD, the body produces defective DOPAMINE, or, not enough of it. Remember, I am not a doctor, so check with your Pediatric Neurologist. Anyhow, the ADHD person's body has these Toxins running around in the blood stream as a result of the free-radical damage caused by defective Dopamine production. What an anti-oxidant does is to help transport these toxins out of the body, thereby giving some relief to the person's body and brain which are off the richter scale with who-knows-what."

Shelley Johnston writes......

"Just a quick note to pass along, we have found effalex to be ineffective for Jeffrey and are currently looking for alternatives. I have tried Pycnogenol with out much success but I must say it helped my older son who suffers from adhd but in a much less severe fashion."

Click here for more information on Pycnogenol. If you're in the U.K., Holland and Barrett Health Shops do Pycnogenol Gold, which we assume is the same, though we've not tried it ourselves.

Restores

This 100% natural product is kicking up quite a storm in the Canada and the United States. It's a formulation of amino acids, vitamins and minerals that apparently has taken 63 years to create. Ken Wells from Alberta, Canada, writes.......

"I represent a company called Quest IV HEALTH PRODUCTS. This company has a patented 100% natural nutritional product that eliminates the need for Medication in most ADD/ADHD cases. It has been used for the last 11 years in over 700 hospitals & clinics throughout the USA & it's name is RESTORES. It is now available to general public fo the very first time. We have over 11 years of Clinical/Medical Studies available."

Check out Ken's web site at www.restores.com/kwells for more information.

Fred from the U.S.A. writes.......

"It was only about a week when I started noticing a BIG change in my son's behavior and by the end of the first bottle, I knew that he would be taking it as long as it helped at all.  The clinical studies prove that about 53% of ADD/ADHD patients benefit, that means that 47% do not.  You should be able to tell if you are in the lucky group with only one bottle.  With my son, I have tried the approach that if it works, use it, and don't stop.  For instance, a few years ago I tried pycnogenol, and had great success for about a month, then symptoms returned,  I did not stop giving him the pycnogenol, because I believe it is still beneficial to him.  Recently I read that most ADD patients are deficient in Omega Oils, so I now give him fish oil, from my local health food store also.  But nothing stopped the Ritalin until I gave him the RESTORES, please consider giving it a try."

Check out Fred's web site at ADHD Relief for more information.

John Furrow from New Brunswick, Canada, writes.......

"My son is ADHD and is on the Restores product and is doing fantastic, our living hell is over and now life is good. He is now more focused and is able to exhibit more control and his sleep patterns have improved. My parents (who live 200 miles away) did not see him until after he had been on the Restores for 6 weeks. They were so amazed that they now take it themselves to treat stress and improve sleep! "
Check out John's web site at Hope for more information.

Saint John's Wort

We have heard from a few people saying that this herb has helped with the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Check out the following web page for more information. http://www.mothernature.com/stjohn.htm

Skullcap - Skutellaria lateriflora

The following is excerpted from the Health Search newspaper published by Wilson Publications, Owensboro, KY 42303

According to The Eclectic Materia Medica , Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1985) by Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D., specific indications for skullcap are nervousness, attending or following an illness, or from mental or physical exhaustion or teething; nervousness with muscular excitation; tremors, hysteria, with inability to control muscular action; functional heart disorders of a purely nervous type, with intermittent pulse.

Skullcap is calmative to the nervous and muscular systems and offers some tonic properties. By controlling nervous irritability and muscular incoordination, it gives rest and permits sleep. When insomnia is due to worry or nervous irritability or even exhaustion, Dr. Felter says relief may be expected.

According to the Wild Rose College of Natural Healing, skullcap's major influence is on the central and sympathetic nervous systems. Traditionally, skullcap has been used for many purposes including neuralgia, insomnia, excitability, restlessness, rickets, headaches, hiccoughs, incessant coughing, hypertension and nervous disorders. It has antispasmodic, nervine, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties. Skullcap has no toxicity.

Super Blue Green Algae

This is another natural product that many swear by. Terry McCracken writes.......

"Simon, have you ever heard of Super Blue Green Algae? It is a super food which grows wild in Upper Klamath Lake in Southern Oregon. This algae is the most nutrient dense food on earth, there is nothing else like it on the planet. There are no additives, extracts or fillers of any kind in the algae; just all natural wild food, that is flash freeze dried, within 15 minutes to keep this food enzymatically alive !

Getting back on track about the ADD, there have been two studies done using the algae to investigate the effects of eating Super Blue Green Algae on children who struggle with learning, social and behavioral problems. The Center For Family Wellness Study had their research team question whether the addition of Algae to children's diet would help alleviate these challenges. The statistical analysis of the data gathered during the study makes it quite clear that eating Algae appears to have had a notably positive outcome in those areas of concern for a majority of the study sample.

The test instruments were The Achenbach Child Behavior Check List and The Teacher Report Form. These well respected test instruments have high validity and reliability and have been used in several national studies. Of the 109 of 142  who completed the study the mean age was 9 years and 1 month. There were 55 girls ranging in age  from 4 to 16 (mean age 9 yrs.4 mths.) and 54 boys ranging in age from 3 years, 6 months to 17 (mean age 9 yrs.).

Parents reported highly significant improvement in their children's mood and behavior on ten out of eleven measures of the standardized rating instrument and significant improvement on the eleventh.

The Sierra Vista Study, conducted by Dr. Jeff Bruno has not yet been published but it also showed significant improvements by the Algae eaters and this was a double blind study. It used a placebo for one group, 6 Algae capsules per day for another and 12 Algae capsules per day for the last group. There was no noticeable difference between the 6 and 12 algae groups.

I have a daughter Jessica who is diagnosed ADD, she has a twin brother Jarret, they are 16 they have an older sister Heather who is 18. Jessica was on Ritalin for 9 months and it was a sad thing to see, violent mood swings in the a.m. before she took her Ritalin and in a drugged state while on the drug and that is what it is a drug , controlled by government for our kids. They call it pediatric cocaine over here. When Jessica got home from school the Ritalin would be wearing off, here comes the mood swings again, constantly fighting with her siblings. At bed time it was a battle every night as she was still wide awake  from the Ritalin, there was a lot of missed school because of no sleep.

 Two years ago a friend told me about Super Blue Green Algae, but I guess it wasn't the right time in my life, I laughed at him and ridiculed him for thinking I might be interested in something as strange as actually eating algae. Last March he told me of the study that showed remarkable improvement in children who had eaten Super Blue Green Algae in a controlled test. My wife and I decided to try it, me first , three weeks later my wife started eating the algae. My wife Gaye, felt the effects of this super food the first day she tried it and one week later Jessica was off Ritalin and eating Super Blue Green Algae.

 I wish I could say Jessica was now a model student and everything was great in her life. While not perfect it is a whole lot better than 1 year ago. There are no violent mood swings as before, she has transferred to another school and was put back a grade, where she is doing very well and learning at her level Grade 10 which should have been done 3 years ago ! Our school system doesn't think kids should be degraded into staying in a grade two years if they cannot do the work assigned them, so they keep pushing uneducated kids into the world some barely able to read and write. We  decided she would be better off repeating a year at another school where she knew no one and could start anew.

Didn't mention the fact this company Cell Tech donates 10% of every years harvest of the algae to charity. This is called the 10% Solution. It goes to impoverished nations like Cambodia& Nicaragua and Chernobyl, Russia to combat the effects of radiation. This algae is a known blood purifier because of it's high levels of chlorophyll. Another 10% solution project is South Central L.A. , teaching gang members to get along. There are others but I am getting long on this letter also."

For more information, you can contact Terry as follows:
Terry McCracken :
 Phone 1-519-776-6255

                           Fax     1-519-776-6961
                           email   tmccrac@mnsi.net

There's also some more information to be found on the ADHD Outreach Website.

Valerian

Some members of our own support group, Thanet ADDers, say this herb has helped with the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Check out the following web page for more information. http://www.vitawise.com/topic171.htm

Vitamin C and Niacinamide

Gail from Canada writes.......

"I hope you don't mind me e-mailing you about your son as I too had a son with the same problem. He is now 29 and doing very well. Here is what I did. I was the president of the Association for Children with Learning Disabilities here in British Columbia and when my son was just starting school (in grade one) my family Dr. suggested that I put Darrin on Ritlin (which is the drug used here for hyperactive kids). But instead I went to every lecture through the Health and University system that I could and came to the conclusion that drugs didn't help. It broke my heart to see these kids (who were on the drugs) up on a stage trying to do the different tests that were put to them. So I looked for a different solution. It was through two learning assistant teachers that I found a solution:

l - I took Darrin off of all food colouring and of course sugar and this help somewhat.

2 - Then I took him to a Dr. in Victoria that specialized in hyperactive kids. This is where the break through accured.

Dr. Hoffer put Darrin on Vitamin C and Niacinamide (a form of B3). He started out on 500 mg - 3 times a day of each. And then we slowly increased the amount to 1000mg - 3 times a day of each. Before this took place Darrin was not only hyperactive but also had a reading disability. I thought he could read but he was getting other kids to read to him and then he was memorizing the pages. Nothing wrong with the kids brains. Well after taking the vitamins for a short while. After a couple of weeks he settled right down and to my surprise he started reading. By the time that all this took place he was in grade four, and a lot of damage had been done to his self esteem. You know the old story of how they think they are dumb. Well, let me tell you, that Darrin completed grade one, two, three and half of grade four that year. We were all elated.

I remember back to when I was in school and there would be maybe 5 or 6 children with learning disabilities and now there are so many. You have to ask yourself - why - If they can't find anything physical i.e. ears - eyes - brain then what is causing it. As one specialist from New York described it it is like having measles on the brain and it needs scratching. And I found that the vitamins got rid of the itch.

If you would like more info from the Dr. here I could send his mailing address. But please try this with your son. These vitamins are non toxic and will pass through the body - the body will only keep what it needs."

Wild Oat Seed - Avena sativa

The following is excerpted from the Health Search newspaper published by Wilson Publications, Owensboro, KY 42303

Used in folk medicine for over two thousand years, modern science in the form of a German Kommission E monograph validates its usage as a sedative in nervous disorders including acute and chronic anxiety, stress and excitatory states. Wild oat seed is an excellent for strengthening the entire nervous system. Oats are used in treating nervous debility, exhaustion especially when associated with depression, and all types of disorders resulting from the body's inability to deal with stress. Wild oat seed is also reputed to help break habits such as drug and alcohol addiction.

Zinc Sulphate

A Doctor in Tripoli, Lebanon, wrote to us recently with the following information about Zinc Sulphate .......

"I have been treating a 9-year-old girl with confirmed ADD with Zinc Sulphate 40 mg/day for 6 weeks and she showed an 80%improvement in her problems. Her school performances and her ability to concentrate were dramatically ameliorated.

This is a preliminary result of a prospective study and it is premature to draw any conclusions. It is premature at this time to recommend Zinc Sulphate as part of a treatment regiment for ADD."

The Doctor also asked if anyone had any data/research on the use of Zinc Sulphate in this way. If you have anything to share on this please contact adders.org as below.

For more information on homeopathic and other natural remedies try The Daily Grind Online natural food grocery store, or Mother Nature. Products available to order online.

Another site that may be of particular interest to Australian visitors is Natural Options. Sue Lewis writes..."Natural Options is a complementary therapy clinic in Canberra, Australia. You can find us at http://www.naturaloptions.dynamite.com.au  We would be happy to see anyone with children with any sort of problems. As the herbalist, I also do home visits, which is often useful for the parents. You can email Sue at findit@dynamite.com.au

If you have any information or comments to make about natural remedies which you think would be appropriate here, then email Simon at simon@adders.org or write, telephone, carrier pigeon to 45 Vincent Close, Broadstairs, Kent, England. CT10 2ND. Tel. UK 1843 851145.