Natural treatments for add
Natural Remedies for ADHD
Medically Reviewed by Poonam Sachdev on February 22, 2022
About 15 million Americans have a brain-based disorder known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Some natural remedies may ease some symptoms. Others have little effect.
You can work with a therapist or coach to find strategies that work best for you. They may want you to:
- Create a routine
- Learn to organize
- Manage distractions
- Limit choices
- Set goals for yourself
- Create positive opportunities
Your doctor can recommend someone for you to see.
A healthy, balanced diet matters when it comes to helping ADHD. Using fresh, healthy ingredients that are low in fat, sugar, and salt can make your symptoms easier to manage. When you cook at home, you know exactly what’s on your plate.
Not only is exercise good for your health, but your brain loves it, too. One study showed that 45 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise 3 days a week for 10 weeks dramatically improved ADHD symptoms. Talk to your doctor before you start.
Caffeine may be an effective treatment for ADHD. Research says it improves your memory and concentration. You probably know that you can find it in things like coffee, soda, and tea. You can also find it in some over-the-counter medicines for things like pain and colds. Keep in mind that a little caffeine goes a long way. Too much caffeine can actually have the opposite effect.
Omega-3 fatty-acid supplements are good for your heart. But the benefits for your ADHD symptoms are relatively modest. The same goes for zinc, iron, melatonin, and magnesium. Unless you’re already low in those essential elements, you may not see much change.
Studies show that some herbal medicines, like ginseng, ningdong, and bacopa, may help with ADHD symptoms. But more research is needed to find out how much you should take and how they might interact with your meds. Talk with your doctor before you go the herbal route.
Studies on lavender, vetiver, and rosemary have hinted that some essential oils may help improve sleep and focus -- two things that are crucial to people with ADHD.
But more research is needed. Talk with your doctor before using any essential oils.
This practice can let doctors can see and record your brain waves to compare how active certain parts of your brain are. Because ADHD is a brain-based disorder, it’s possible to use that information to ease symptoms. But not enough research has been done to know for certain that biofeedback helps. Talk with your doctor about it.
It’s possible to train your brain to react in a positive way to lots of sensory messages at once, like hearing, seeing, smell, taste, and touch. This could ease the symptoms of ADHD. But more research is needed.
With this, you do a range of exercises to a beat provided by a computer, like a metronome marks time for musicians. It can help with a bunch of brain and physical issues, but studies about its effects on ADHD don't tell us whether it works or not.
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SOURCES:
CDC: “What is ADHD?” "Treatment of ADHD.
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CHADD.org: “About ADHD: Overview,” “Treatment Strategies,” “Complementary Treatment,” “Nutrition and ADHD,” “Fish oil supplements and ADHD,” "Neurofeedback (EEG Biofeedback),” “Q&A: What about caffeine for ADHD?” “Boost your exercise to help with ADHD.”
Understood.org: “Are there natural remedies for ADHD?”
MedlinePlus: "Caffeine."
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6 Natural Remedies for ADHD, Triggers to Avoid, and More
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Some alternative treatments, including practicing yoga and spending time outside, may have a positive effect on ADHD symptoms.
Production of the medications used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has skyrocketed in recent decades. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that ADHD diagnoses in children increased by about 41 percent between 2003 and 2011. It was estimated that 11 percent of children between the ages of 4 and 17 years old had been diagnosed with ADHD, as of 2011. That is 6.4 million children in total.
If you’re not comfortable with treating this disorder with drugs, there are other, more natural options.
ADHD drugs can help improve symptoms by enhancing and balancing neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that carry signals between neurons in your brain and body. There are several different types of medications used to treat ADHD, including:
- stimulants, such as an amphetamine or Adderall (which help you to focus and ignore distractions)
- nonstimulants, such as atomoxetine (Strattera) or bupropion (Wellbutrin), can be used if the side effects from stimulants are too much to handle or if other medical conditions prevent use of stimulants
While these drugs can improve concentration, they can also cause some serious potential side effects.
Side effects include:
- sleep problems
- mood swings
- loss of appetite
- heart problems
- suicidal thoughts or actions
Not many studies have looked at the long-term effects of these medications. But some research has been done, and it raises red flags. An Australian study published in 2010 found no significant improvement in behavior and attention problems in children between the ages of 5 and 14 years old who took medications for their ADHD. Their self-perception and social functioning didn’t improve either.
Instead, the medicated group tended to have higher levels of diastolic blood pressure. They also had slightly lower self-esteem than the nonmedicated group and performed below age level. The authors of the study emphasized that the sample size and statistical differences were too small to draw conclusions.
Alternative treatments may help manage some symptoms associated with ADHD, including:
- difficulty paying attention
- organizational problems
- forgetfulness
- frequently interrupting
The Mayo Clinic notes that certain food colorings and preservatives may increase hyperactive behavior in some children.
Avoid foods with these colorings and preservatives:
- sodium benzoate, which is commonly found in carbonated beverages, salad dressings, and fruit juice products
- FD&C Yellow No. 6 (sunset yellow), which can be found in breadcrumbs, cereal, candy, icing, and soft drinks
- D&C Yellow No. 10 (quinoline yellow), which can be found in juices, sorbets, and smoked haddock
- FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine), which can be found in foods like pickles, cereal, granola bars, and yogurt
- FD&C Red No. 40 (allura red), which can be found in soft drinks, children’s medications, gelatin desserts, and ice cream
Diets that restrict possible allergens may help improve behavior in some children with ADHD.
It’s best to check with an allergy doctor if you suspect that your child has allergies. But you can experiment by avoiding these foods:
- chemical additives/preservatives such as BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) and BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), which are often used to keep the oil in a product from going bad and can be found in processed food items such as potato chips, chewing gum, dry cake mixes, cereal, butter, and instant mashed potatoes
- milk and eggs
- chocolate
- foods containing salicylates, including berries, chili powder, apples and cider, grapes, oranges, peaches, plums, prunes, and tomatoes (salicylates are chemicals occurring naturally in plants and are the major ingredient in many pain medications)
Electroencephalographic (EEG) biofeedback is a type of neurotherapy that measures brain waves.
A 2011 study suggested that EEG training was a promising treatment for ADHD.
A child may play a special video game during a typical session. They’ll be given a task to concentrate on, such as “keep the plane flying.” The plane will start to dive or the screen will go dark if they’re distracted. The game teaches the child new focusing techniques over time. Eventually, the child will begin to identify and correct their symptoms.
Some small studies indicate that yoga may be helpful as a complementary therapy for people with ADHD. Research published in 2013 reported significant improvements in hyperactivity, anxiety, and social problems in boys with ADHD who practiced yoga regularly in addition to taking their daily medication.
Some early studies suggest that tai chi also may help improve ADHD symptoms. Researchers found that teenagers with ADHD who practiced tai chi weren’t as anxious or hyperactive. They also daydreamed less and displayed fewer inappropriate emotions when they participated in tai chi classes twice a week for five weeks.
Spending time outside may benefit children with ADHD. There is strong evidence that spending even 20 minutes outside can benefit them by improving their concentration. Greenery and nature settings are the most beneficial.
A 2011 study, and several studies before it, supports the claim that regular exposure to outdoors and green space is a safe and natural treatment that can be used to help people with ADHD.
For children with more severe cases of ADHD, behavioral therapy can prove beneficial. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that behavioral therapy should be the first step in treating ADHD in young children.
Sometimes called behavioral modification, this approach works on resolving specific problematic behaviors and offers solutions to help prevent them. This can also involve setting up goals and rules for the child. Because behavioral therapy and medication are most effective when used together, it can be a powerful aid in helping your child.
Parental therapy can help provide parents with the tools they need to help their child with ADHD succeed.
Equipping parents with techniques and strategies for how to work around behavioral problems can help both the parent and the child in the long term.
Treatment with supplements may help improve symptoms of ADHD. These supplements include:
- zinc
- L-carnitine
- vitamin B-6
- magnesium
Shop for zinc supplements.
However, results have been mixed. Herbs like ginkgo, ginseng, and passionflower may also help calm hyperactivity.
Supplementing without a doctor’s oversight can be dangerous — particularly in children. Talk to your doctor if you’re interested in trying these alternative therapies. They can order a blood test to measure current levels of a nutrient in your child before they start taking supplements.
10 products from the supermarket that can be used as beauty products
We are all used to entrusting our beauty care to beautiful jars of creams and serums, gels and balms, which (we hope) will turn out to be miraculous.
We do not urge you to refuse them, but we remind you again: very effective and, importantly, natural skin and hair care products are waiting for us in simple grocery stores.
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Avocado
What is useful? Avocados are known to be the fattest of all existing plant foods. The fat found in avocados can provide nutrients to the skin and also save it from dryness - avocados are considered an excellent "moisturizer". It also contains vitamin A - it is needed for the process of cell formation, due to which the skin is renewed.
But vitamin A needs fat to “work”, and there is just enough of it in avocados.
How to use? Pulverized avocado pulp can be a useful face mask. To an avocado in this form, you can add a spoonful of cream and egg yolk, and then mix everything together. The mask will give the effect of moisturizing and rejuvenation, help relieve inflammation and irritation, and visually “tighten” the skin.
Olive oil
Why is it useful? Since ancient times, this oil is not only eaten, but also used in personal care - in both cases, the product serves as a rich source of vitamins. In a duet, A and E are especially useful for hair care at home - they moisturize them, provide them with strength, shine and a beautiful, healthy look. Olive oil saves the skin from dryness, softens, and also gradually has an anti-aging effect on it.
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How to use? Olive oil as a hair mask is a favorite SOS remedy for models: when hair becomes dry and brittle after numerous dyes, hot styling, applying adhesive styling products, it is possible to save the hair thanks to the softening and nourishing properties of this oil.
Girls apply it to the hair roots, as well as to dry ends.
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Slava and other stars who became parents early
Nastya Slanevskaya became a star by accident. In 2002, director Sergei Kalvarsky noticed the girl in karaoke. So Anastasia turned into the singer Slava. At 17, Anastasia Slanevskaya became pregnant. Alexandra's daughter's father, Konstantin Morozov, was in business, but he and Slava had different outlooks on life. Soon after the birth of Sasha in 1999, the couple broke up, but Slava did everything possible so that her child did not need anything. Now Anastasia already has two children: the eldest Alexandra and the youngest Antonina, who was born in 2011 from businessman Anatoly Danilitsky. Young Sasha already has a serious relationship, but Slava is not afraid that her daughter will repeat her fate. The singer is sure that she will be a great grandmother.
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Honey
Why is it useful? Honey is another storehouse of nutrients, including B vitamins, iron, potassium, magnesium, iodine, zinc, manganese and many others.
The skin undoubtedly needs them, but honey not only saturates it with useful substances, but also helps to moisturize the skin (and for a long time), cleanses it, and also protects against UV rays thanks to the antioxidants in the composition.
How to use? For home skin care - in face masks (make sure you are not allergic to honey). By mixing honey with egg yolk, you will also get an excellent mask for natural hair care, which will delight you with restorative properties.
Cucumber
What is useful? Cucumbers are more than 95% water, and it is she who stores the most useful things in these vegetables: vitamins (B1, B2, C, E and others), minerals and trace elements. The skin absorbs this “cocktail”, and it benefits it - only B vitamins can remove inflammation and also support collagen production, not to mention how many properties each individual microelement has.
How to use? Cucumber juice - as a lotion (it will refresh the skin, restore its tone, relieve age spots and acne), cucumber slice - for washing (wipe your face with it - the skin will immediately freshen up), cucumber "circle" - to help the area around the eyes (there will be no trace of swelling, bags and bruises under the eyes). A mask of grated cucumber and egg white will help to give the skin a healthy look.
Sugar
Why is it useful? Although it is called "sweet death", the benefits of sugar for the skin, if used for cosmetic purposes, have not been canceled. Take sweetness into service when you need to restore softness to the skin, cleansing it of dead cells.
How to use? You will get a natural sugar scrub by mixing the ingredient with olive or almond oil. Feel free to rub your skin with it to exfoliate the stratum corneum! By the way, lip scrub is most often made from sugar - this tool is indispensable when the lips need to be “smoothed” so that the lipstick lies on them more evenly.
Do you use the products as home cosmetics?
Cherry
Why is it useful? Another product that is famous for its antioxidant properties, that is, it can protect against free radicals, the harmful effects of UV rays and prevent premature aging.
How to use? Make a cherry face mask (mash the berries into a pulp, but don't keep it on your face for too long, so that the skin doesn't turn reddish). Such natural skin care will provide it with protection from negative external influences, as well as even out complexion, improving microcirculation.
Papaya
What is useful? For skin care, you can also use such an exotic fruit as papaya (if you suddenly find yourself on tropical islands). Its juice helps in skin renewal - it removes dead cells, relieves inflammation and soothes the skin.
How to use? A papaya mask will help bring the skin back to normal if it has inflammation, irritation and swelling. At the same time, keep the pulp and juice of the fruit away from your hair! Papaya is not suitable for home hair care. The substance papain in its composition destroys keratin, which means it weakens the hair and completely prevents their growth.
Lemon
What is useful? Squeeze all the juice out of a lemon! After all, they contain organic acids that can help with whitening - removing age spots and freckles.
How to use? For skin and hair care. Apply the juice on the rough skin on the elbows and legs - it will soften. Mix juice with natural yogurt - you will get a mask that will help in the fight against wrinkles. And when used on your hair, lemon juice will help you get natural lightening of the strands - again thanks to its bleaching properties.
Green tea
Why is it useful? Green tea is full of antioxidants: vitamins A, B and C in its composition will protect the skin from free radicals, which means from premature aging. In addition, this tea can improve skin renewal processes, prevent inflammation and reduce irritation.
How to use? You can wipe your face with a cotton pad dipped in well-brewed green tea (such a “lotion” will help cleanse the skin, soften it, and prevent further acne). There is an option to "freeze" the tea and then wash your face with tea ice cubes - then your face will still feel cheerful and fresh.
Egg white
Why is it useful? Most egg white is water, so it has an inherent moisturizing effect, but at the same time, its astringent properties can be useful for skin care. Protein nourishes and strengthens hair.
How to use? Protein will show its abilities in face masks (with lemon, honey, starch and other ingredients) and will especially help oily skin - get rid of "oily" shine and enlarged pores. Protein masks are also useful in natural hair care - they give hair shine, elasticity, splendor, stimulate hair growth, and relieve dandruff and hair loss.
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Natural detergents | Ecological cleaning
Any housewife who loves and cares for her home has plenty of cleaning products in stock. When choosing detergents, we think about the possible negative impact of dust, dirt and mold on our health - it's so important to keep the bathroom, kitchen and floor clean!
But can homemade natural cleaning products do the job of cleaning an apartment? Of course they will! Here are some ideas on how to use natural detergents to keep your home clean.
Remember, when using new cleaning products, it is important to follow label instructions and to follow safety guidelines when mixing different ingredients.
Replace washing powder with baking soda. Simply add approximately 250 grams of baking soda to the laundry detergent compartment of your washing machine and wash as usual.
Cleaning the kitchen!
A good alternative to dishwashing detergent is regular natural soap and soda. Instead of throwing away the remnants, put them in a bottle and fill with water. If you add baking soda to the resulting liquid, you get a natural detergent that can wash even the dirtiest dishes. With the same composition, you can wash linoleum or plastic surfaces, and by adding a small amount of ammonia, you get an excellent detergent for surfaces painted with oil paint.
To clean dishes from grease, use ordinary mustard: put a little on a sponge and rub. In a few moments, there will be no trace of dirt left.
The work surface and cutting boards can be wiped down with a 5% vinegar solution. It not only disinfects, but also fights mold and viruses.
We wash
Did you know that ordinary soda can be used instead of washing powder? Pour half a standard pack (about 250 grams) into the washing machine and wash as usual.
How to clean the bathroom with natural detergents?
Glass surfaces can be washed with a 5% vinegar solution, which is most conveniently applied with a spray bottle. And don't let the unpleasant smell bother you - within an hour there will be no trace of it in the bathroom, as well as no trace of harmful chemicals.
The tub and sink can be cleaned by mixing liquid soap with a half cup of baking soda and a few drops of an antibacterial essential oil (such as lavender or tea tree oil).
To remove grayish and yellowish mineral deposits, cover the surface with a cloth soaked in vinegar, leave for 30 minutes, then rinse.
Living room and windows.
Since baking soda is an absorbent with a deodorizing effect, it is suitable for cleaning carpets.
