Natural Remedies for ADHD: Exploring the Benefits of Supplements and Herbs

I am not afraid to admit that the value of healthy foods and natural herbs was entirely lost on me for the longest time.  I thought kale was just a fancy decoration for my plate, like the little paper umbrella in my cocktail. Seriously, if I wanted to eat something that looked like it was trying to escape a salad bar, I would have just gone for the garnish!

It wasn't until my search for ways to heal an inflamed body and mind that was starting to manifest signs of ADHD brought me to the endless literature about gut health and mental well-being. I realized that in my busy lifestyle, constant reliance on the instant gratification from fast foods had rendered my gut vigorously damaged and unknowingly I passed on my unhealthy gut constituents and food habits on to my child. This may be true for many others as it is really a characteristic of our society nowadays; it is no surprise I suppose then that we see a growing number of children dealing with symptoms of ADHD, ASD, ADD and the likes.

It was a revelation to me that gut microbes produce or help produce many of the chemical neurotransmitters that convey messages between your gut and brain. They also produce other chemicals that can affect your brain through your bloodstream. That we can actively manage our gut health and the ever so elusive mental health by being intentional about what we are eating. I am now a converted believer of the undying importance of what we eat on our health and quality of life and a proponent, albeit new, that our mental health can be changed with our nutrition.

This blog is part II of some of my favorite supplements and herbs to encourage our mental well-being. You could go back and read my other blog Food for the calm mind - My favorite supplements for a busy brain

So , we can say that good mental health starts with your plate. Who knew?

Eat for a healthy mind. Bon Appetit!

Some of the other herbs, supplements that I have tried and found useful are below:

Ashwagandha: The root that is rooting for you!

Ashwagandha is also known as the Indian ginseng or winter cherry. The herb has a strong smell which resembles that of a horse and is the source of its name 'ashwagandha'. According to ayurveda it is a powerful aid in managing issues related to stress and anxiety. It is also believed to be an aid in curing diabetes, arthritis etc. These claims are as per some articles I have read about Ayurveda, and I am unaware of any western medical trials and research on the subject. Ashwagandha is easily available on the internet or over the counter either as a powder or in the form of a capsule. I would recommend getting in touch with a naturopath or ayurvedic practitioner to determine your correct dosage.

We have bravely ventured into wellness by incorporating an organic powdered form of ashwagandha in our daily routine. The smell and slight bitter taste are quite the deterrent, it is basically what I imagine what it would be like to lick a tree. But fear not! We found our clever workaround: including it in our morning smoothies made it slightly more unnoticeable.

Our results with ashwagandha are more muted than immediate which could be because we are still determining the correct dosage, but I am definitely encouraged enough to keep including it in our daily wellness routine.

Ghee -' I am not just fat! I am flavor! '

Ghee, a clarified butter from India, has been a traditional favorite among Indian mothers for their children's health. Despite concerns about saturated fats, personal and generational experiences highlight its many benefits. According to Ayurveda Ghee is good for the brain and is believed to improve mental clarity, memory, focus among other benefits to physical health as well. The brain is made up to 60% of Fats, therefore a diet rich in healthy fats is essential to maintain the health and wellness of our brains.

In Indian households, homemade ghee is common, but as new generation parents, we find ourselves using other reliable options such as organic A2 ghee. To my understanding both these are reliable options to give to your child. The easiest way to incorporate ghee in your cooking plan is to use it as the cooking medium or oil for your foods. It is also tasteless and oil like when heated so it can be rubbed on your breads or nuggets etc. much like oil. Indians tend to rub ghee all over the rotis before consuming them. I did notice a positive impact on my child when I consciously tried to include more healthy fats in his day-to-day meals. It might call for you to be more mindful and intentional with your child's meals as cooking in ghee may not be your usual routine.

Rich in vitamins and healthy fats, ghee is celebrated for its nourishing properties and digestive benefits.

Liquid Zinc - A shot of Liquid Zinc might just turn you into a human rocket—blast off into productivity!

Zinc is important for metabolism relevant to neurotransmitters and indirectly affects dopamine metabolism. It contributes to structure and function of brain. Specific to ADHD, the dopamine transporter has a zinc binding site that blocks transport. Both animal data and human findings suggest involvement of zinc deficiency in hyperactivity. Human zinc deficiency syndrome includes concentration impairment and jitters. Thus, according to research Zinc deficiency can be a contributing factor to ones inattention or hyperactivity.

A link is identified between Pica (if your child is chewing on non-food items) and a zinc deficiency. This led us to investigate zinc deficiency since my child can't resist biting his unpleasant fingernails whenever he gets the opportunity. I can share my success or failure with zinc shortly as I am waiting for easter break to start the new supplementation but try I will.

When it comes to zinc supplements, you might notice different forms like zinc citrate, zinc gluconate or zinc sulfate. These different forms can affect how well your body absorbs the zinc.

For instance, zinc citrate and zinc gluconate are absorbed similarly, with about 61% absorption in young adults. Zinc sulfate has slightly lower absorption rates at about 50%. However, zinc sulfate has been linked to more gastrointestinal issues, so it might not be the best choice if you have a sensitive stomach.

There is even a liquid form to really help tailor the amount you give your child

Ideally zinc is taken on an empty stomach, but it may cause tummy upset, so it's ok to take it with food. If your child is taking other supplements, it is best to consult your healthcare provider regarding combinations and times of the day they should be had.

While we've focused a lot on supplementation, it's worth noting that zinc is naturally present in many foods. Some good dietary sources of zinc include Oysters (the highest natural source), red meat and poultry, beans and nuts, dairy products and whole grains.

There are several other studies out there regarding micronutrients iron, calcium among many others, herbs like ginseng, Ginko biloba and treatments in the forms of Occupational therapy to manage the various symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity presenting in the body. To my mind, your solution should lie in staying open to these possibilities and finding a healthcare practitioner who could guide you on this wild ride.

In case you have any queries, please feel free to drop me a message! I promise I won't bite—unless you ask me for my secret cookie recipe. Then all bets are off! I'll be more than happy to share my thoughts and recommendations with you. Until next time, happy exploring! And remember, if you find a treasure map, make sure to invite me along! I bring snacks!