ALEX VASAUSKAS was thinking about ADD and ADHD and keyed into 
cyberspace:
AV> CL>         Has anyone here had any success in using herbs to treat
AV> CL> attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and ADD with hyperactivity
AV> CL> (ADDH)? I would be especially interested for any anecdotal
AV> CL> evidence dealing with treating adults who struggle with the
AV> CL> syndrome. 
AV>Here's some info I found:
AV>From:
AV>Medicinal herb FAQ - part 4 of 7
AV>http://sunsite.unc.edu/herbmed Henriette's Herbal Homepage
AV>mediherb.html
AV>[...]
AV>========== BEGIN
AV>2.2.9 Herbs, ADD, and replacing Ritalin
AV>-----
AV>>Does anyone know of any viable substitutes for Ritalin for ADD? I
AV>have heard of a substance called Pycnogenol. Are there any other
AV>substitutes for taking Ritalin? How long does a person need to take
AV>Pycnogenol in order for it to take effect?
AV>From herbal@got.net (Roy Upton):
AV>I have seen at least 70 children weaned of Ritalin. I usually
AV>recommend weaning off of Ritalin for a 2-3 week period, while
AV>administering the herbs.
"Weaning" implies addiction. Prescriptive doses of methylphenidate are 
not addictive. The pharmaceutical has a serum half life of four hours. 
The biggest problem that people have is remembering to take their 
medication. I wonder what the motive of this critter is?
Usually, the program consists of dietary
AV>modification, exercise, and nutritional and herbal supplementation.
AV>Though treatment is similar, differentiate between ADD and ADHD. ADD
AV>might be a direct result of under/poor nourishment.
Not the term "might be". It is not the result of poor nutrition. 
Hundreds of clinical studies have shown that diet plays not role in 
causing AD(H)D and a small role in degree of symptomatology.
ADD and ADHD have the same genetic causes.
The brain is the
AV>most energy intensive organ of the body. If the body is deprived of
AV>energy, the brain is first to suffer.
Actually, this is exactly opposite of how the body works. Example: a 
person is in a frozen mountain pass. To conserve body heat, the body 
slows down circulation to the extremities, since the abdominal organs 
and brain need the heat more than the extremities, the body stops 
heating them.
I have been in this exact situation. 
In ADHD there is often a rapid
AV>heart beat that may have varying underlying causes such as specific
AV>allergies. 
No connection between rapid heart beat and ADHD has ever been discussed 
by any scientific journal.
AV>DIETARY
AV>* Elimination of most simple sugars including fruit juices, foods
AV>with colors and preservatives. Concentrate on a whole foods diet. 
Debunked more times than I have hair on my head.
AV>* Magnesium supplementation. Dosage based on weight, age of child. 
Never shown to be effective in clinical trials.
AV>* I have used a combination of the following herbs with significant
AV>success (according to parents and teachers): Chinese zizyphus,
AV>chamomile, lemon balm, catnip, hawthorn berry, and gotu kola flavored
AV>with cinnamon, anise, and a touch of cloves. Usually this is prepared
AV>as a glycerite extract (approx. 1:3-1:5 concentration). 20 drops 2-3
AV>daily. I alternate this with Hawthorn berry syrup, 1 tsp 2 x daily. 
Never shown to be even slightly effective for ADHD.
AV>* Exercise is a must for ADHD. 
Exercise is a must for everyone. So, what's so special about ADHD?
AV>In Germany, Chamomile tea, and small doses of valerian root are
AV>utilized.
(Continued next message...)
               The Few. The Proud. The Chosen.
                     markprobe@aol.com
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 * CMPQwk #1.4 * UNREGISTERED EVALUATION COPY
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