Adhd And Natural Medicine – Does It Really Work?
Parents who are worried about drugs or fed up with the side effects are taking a closer look at ADHD and natural medicine, but does it really work? In this article you’ll learn more about natural versus prescription medicines, so you can make an informed treatment choice for your child. Most parents do not realize that natural medicine for ADHD has been a treatment choice for decades. This is because pediatricians, psychiatrists and traditionally trained doctors usually prescribe pharmaceutical drugs and these drug companies advertise so heavily in the media and in women’s magazines. Actually, when you finally get the big view picture of the differences between natural medicines and drugs, you will discover why many parents believe they are more effective than the drugs that their children used to take. There are many prescription drugs available, so we cannot go through them all in a short article. But all you really need to know about the differences between drugs and natural medicine for ADHD are a few things: first, drugs do not work for every child. In fact, they make some kids’ symptoms much worse. This is because all drugs have side effects and some kids are able to tolerate them well than others. Some of the milder side effects that are common to most prescription drugs include loss of appetite, stomach ache and sleeplessness. You don’t have to think too long about how such side effects could adversely affect your child and his behavior, let alone his ability to concentrate and do well at school. Add to this the fact that we still don’t know the long term effects of giving prescription drugs to children whose brains are developing and you can have some real concerns, especially if you suspect or already know that your child is sensitive to drugs. While some researchers believe that taking these drugs during childhood could lead to recreational drug use later on, this concern has not been proven. Still, it’s something that a lot of parents can’t help but think about. Compare this to the ADHD and natural medicine approach. First of all, natural remedies have no side effects. Since they do take a few weeks to build up in the system, you do need to give them time to work. But they work not by suppressing symptoms and numbing the brain, but by giving the brain the nutrition it needs to start functioning better. The herbs in these formulations soothe jangled nerves, calm hyperactivity, reduce aggression and impulsivity and lead to a state of calm alertness, so they child can pay attention, listen, learn and stay on task. These remedies will not interact negatively with other drugs, so you can use them while weaning your child off prescription medications, but do consult your doctor about how best to taper off the drug. Obviously, there are no concerns about long term use, but since they work by giving your child much-needed nutrients, eventually, your child may be able to stop taking them. Of course, it’s important to know what to look for in a good natural remedy. First, find one that has been FDA-approved and backed by clinical studies. Next, look for a proven formulation that contains these important herbs: Tuberculinum, Verta Alb, Arsen Iod and Hyoscyamus. These herbs have been shown to improve focus, calm the mind and body and reduce agitation and other negative behaviors, while healing the brain, which is the goal of ADHD and natural medicine. No matter which treatment option you choose for your child, make sure to provide a healthy diet. Children need good food to grow and develop properly. Focus on whole grains, fresh vegetables and fruit in season. Protein should be lean and comprised primarily of fish, poultry, meat, nuts and beans. Stay away from sodas and processed foods as much as possible. As long as you’re feeding your child a healthy diet, the occasional sweet treat won’t hurt, but you can even make this healthy, for instance, serving a bowl of berries with fresh whipped cream. So, the answer to your question, “Does natural medicine for ADHD really work?” is a big yes! And they work even better when supported by a healthy diet. Of course, the best part is, natural remedies do their job without side effects, long term complications or other concerns that keep parents up at night, wondering if they are doing the right thing.
Laura Ramirez researches natural treatments for ADHD and publishes her findings on her web site at www.treating-adhd-naturally.com.
She is also the author of the award-winning parenting book, Keepers of the Children: Native American Wisdom and Parenting which shows parents how to raise children to bring out their natural strengths and talents.