We call them drug-pushers. Those questionable teachers who imply that a good daily dose of ADHD medicine is all your kid needs to make their job easier help your child learn more. While ADHD medicine might be the perfect solution for some kids, some of the time, there are many no-nonsense, common sense approaches that you can try before the meds. First, and always, check with your doctor before trying any herb, as natural remedies can often interfere with other medicines. So here are 13 remedies to discuss with your doctor:
- Play outside. I’ve written about this before, The American Journal of Public Health found that spending time outside can dramatically reduce the symptoms of ADHD. The authors, Frances E. Kuo and Andrea Faber Taylor, said, “Overall, our findings indicate that exposure to ordinary natural settings in the course of common after-school and weekend activities may be widely effective in reducing attention deficit symptoms in children.” No surprise there.
- Green or Black Tea. In my upcoming book review of The Ultimate Tea Diet: How Tea Can Boost Your Metabolism, Shrink Your Appetite, and Kick-Start Remarkable Weight Loss
, I learned that the caffeine in tea, unlike coffee, does not increase your heart rate, and produces a relaxed state of alert concentration.
- Eat Barley for breakfast.
- L. acidophilus. If there is too small a colony of L. L. acidophilus and other friendly bacteria, such as L. bulgaricus and L. bifidus, digestion can be impaired, and your child will not get the full nutritional value from foods.
- Check for Pinworms. I leave you to that, here.
- Check for lice. It goes without saying, lice would definitely be a distraction.
- Bacopa monniera Brahmi. Tests show that Brahmi treatment significantly improved discrimination learning, memory and cognitive functions in children.
- Asian Ginseng. Mental performance has been studied and revealed to improve via tests of standardized measurements of reaction time, concentration, learning, math, and logic. Check with your doctor on this one please.
- Siberian Ginseng. The extract stimulates brain activity and causes a more economical release of body energy which results in increased work output.
- Aromatherapy. Rosemary oil improves concentration. Make a blend with a carrier oil and massage into the temples.
- Drink rosemary tea. Use 1 1/2 tablespoons of dried rosemary to about 8 ounces of boiling water. Simmer with a lid for five minutes and let stand for five minutes. Strain and drink.
- Gotu. Gotu kola, long been known to prevent Alzheirmer’s, this herb has recently been proven to be effective in treating childhood forms of ADHD.
- Green Oats: (Available at wild oats). You can make a tea with this, and it is a soothing tonic for the nerves.
The effects are cumulative.
As a former teacher, I think that some kids do benefit from medicine. But on the whole, it is overprescribed for sure. Great ideas for this TT!
You know, the rosemary oil could kill two birds with one stone – it’s a natural “lice repellant” too. My kids don’t leave the house in the morning without a few drops behind each ear and at the nape of the neck. Nice to know it might be helping with their concentration too.
#12 I don’t believe re the preventing Alzheimer’s.
I’ve never had meds prescribed for my kids but I wouldn’t fill the prescription for any of the ADHD drugs because I think it’s a catch-all for unruly behavior.
Happy TT.
I have tried meditation and walking (also a form of meditation). Thanks for teaching me something.
I like your way much better than all that medication. Bravo. Have a great TT.
If #2 is true, that is very good news because I do drink a lot of tea. I am British, after all! One thing: if a liquid doesn’t have tea in it, it shouldn’t be called tea (e.g. #11 and #13).
I agree 100%. Too many children are on meds. I am sure some need them. I like your ways much better. I also think over stimulation from TV, video games,cd’s,dvd’s…This is the first generation that seldom experiences silence. No wonder their minds can’t hold still.
I know you really don’t want my opinion…but I think a lot of doctors over medicate to get anyone to ‘fit in as society thinks they should fit in’….and that’s sad.
Susie, this was an awesome informative T13!
What a thoughtful list! Some parents are just too intimidated by/trusting of teachers and doctors and need to question more. I believe that many kids are helped by the meds. I also believe that many others could be helped by your important list.
Thankfully, I haven’t had to deal with this with my kids. Our problems run more normal. If you can call it that!
I never have had any problems with this myself, but I have heard that there is a strong correlation with ADHD and food additives such as MSG and aspertame, as well as food color. A natural whole-foods diet has been said to reduce symptoms in the majority of patients who tried it. That seems pretty common sense to me!
Happy TT
TM
Oh man, this is such a great list of alternative ideas. Did you see the Frontline about kids and medications? All I could think was a good parenting class would cost much less. When I was a special ed teacher, it was disgusting to know that there were doctors in the community quick to diagnose ADHD over the summer when teacher observations are needed and that would mean more than one teacher’s observations. Good post to get people thinking.
Great list – boy, any child would be lucky to have you as a Mom with this knowledge. While I was seeing a lot of clients, I had to work out every day just to sit in the therapy chair. I find that sound can be great for concentrating but the wrong sound can be hell.
Another great list Susie! Happy TT!
I have bookmarked this page.
Happy TT!
My Thursday Thirteen: Favorite American Idols
I would comment but something has grabbed my attention and I’m now bored!
LOL
SJR
The Pink Flamingo
My son has ADHD. It was diagnosed when he was in the 3rd grade. I know most people are against meds but my son would have never made it to the 11th grade without them. I only give them to him when he goes to school and its worked wonders. He is not an aggressive child but they definitely need an outlet for their energy. He started walking in circles at a very young age, and still does it but only in private:) People dont realize how really smart these kids are. It has something to do with the receptors in their brains. Is it overdiagnosed?? YES..thats why I went to 3 different doctors before I was convinced of the diagnoses. Although, meds arent always the answer, dont knock it for kids it really works for. Happy TT and thanks for stopping by:)
This has been a very informative TT. I haven’had the chance to deal with kids having ADHD but we never know. Happy TT!
I don’t know anything about the real ADD or ADHD with kids. But I can tell you that I have a horrible time concentrating or paying attention when I’m dehydrated. I even get a bit jittery. It’s easy to forget to drink water (or easy to not get as much as we need). I wonder how hydrated kids really are…
Anyway, great list! Happy TT!
~Maria
Thanks! Will try those out with my son
Wow, thanks for the great info!! I have a son who i suspect has ADHD, although he’s never been “officially” diagnosed — I”m not a fan of labels. We don’t (and won’t) medicate. Looking forward to trying some of your remedies.
Wonderful & helpful. You put a lot of work into this one.
A good list — #1 is so often over-looked. :sigh:
Great list, as usual, Susie! Playing outside really does wonders for kids. I notice when my kids play outside, they are way more attentive!
Interesting list! I’m all for trying EVERYTHING before medicating kids.
Hugs and blessings,
Interesting post. I do think we are over-medicating our kids (and ourselves).
great list of ideas for helping kids.
I wish I’d had this list when my kids were young. We homeschooled, so a bit of ADD wasn’t an issue, but I’m sure my oldest would have benefited from these tips. However, we did make good use of playing outside!
Great list. While meds have their place I think kids are being over medicated by half. Happy TT!
will these work for any kids LOL – I am not here for page rank but great TT list. I will bookmark this.
My twins love being outside – it lets all the energy out.Kids nowadays spend too much time inside at electronic gadgets -no wonder their feet and hands can’t keep still.
But of course my 6 month old has decided she needs to nurse right this minute. Quickly, this is brilliant and I really appreciate this post. I am bookmarking you so I can share this information with others.
I wish I knew then what I know now. I would not have bought into the ADHD medicate them until they are zombies garbage. My 14 yr old would have been all the better if I had only realized I could go against convention.
I have mine up if you would like to stop by.
Happy TT everyone!
Great list! When properly diagnosed and prescribed meds can be very helpful for some children. However, I’ve heard too many stories of meds being “prescribed” for children by non-medical persons. I have a cousin who was ordered by a judge to give her son Ritalin without benefit of medical counsel. When the proper testing was done his diagnosis was not ADHD, but bipolar disorder. The Ritalin made it worse!
Thanks for stopping by and leaving me a comment. -Eve
I wasn’t expecting this list to be serious lol.. well done!! tho ginseng acts like a drug on ME
A late looker at this one…..
As a teacher I have seen the full gamut of medication and non-medication. One lad was a dream when medicated and we finally got his reading age up from 6.0 to 7.0 (when he was 14) but on the afternoons when it wore off…he might as well have been out mowing the lawns. Another was taken off preservatives and the effect was astounding. He seemed to be looking through the world through new eyes. Yet another was medicated when all he needed was some Flaming Sword parenting!! A good, thorough and responsive specialist who doesn’t simply jump to a quick decision is essential. Also, involve as many parties as possible in the diagnosis….school, health, family. It’s a v tricky area but some of these ideas look like great first ports of call…
Great list of ideas and websites to go visit for more information. I wish more people tried the natural options or simple lifestyle changes like a healthy diet or outside exercise rather than popping pills. Granted, I work in a large school, but I must spend 3-5 min of my day listening to the nurse call down all of the kids who need to take medicine throughout the day. I’m sure most are for kids w/ ADD/ADHD!