Yes, there are natural ways to manage ADD/ADHD

By Jonathan Evans Herbal Information Specialist /Business Representative for the Herbarium Special to PRIME Dear Jonathan My 9 year old son has been diagnosed with ADD. He is a bright child and can do well sometimes, but then it seems he can't concentrate or remember what he just read. He is a rather quiet child, but he can erupt with frustration when he can't recall or gets stuck on a problem. We are trying to avoid Ritalin, but we do not know what else we can use. Are there any natural products that could help? Sandra Dear Sandra, There are so many things that can be used to treat this condition, I almost do not know where to start. My wife, Kathy, has conducted workshops on ADD/ADHD for many years, and we have experience with the condition within our family and friends. The first thing to do is to look at your son's diet. The additives, preservatives and artificial colors and flavors used in many processed foods can be like a poison to some children. Try to find books written by Doris Rapp, M.D. She has been working with this problem since the 1970's. Lenden Smith, MD, and Ben Feingold, MD, are other authors you need to seek out and read. At the Herbarium, we have our "Getting Started" sheet, which would be a great starting point in your quest to understand how to manage ADD/ADHD. Because of your son's age, I would suggest keeping things simple. The company Buried Treasure offers a liquid supplement for youngsters that contains a variety of herbal and nutritional ingredients designed to increase focus and concentration. In addition, The Herbarium has a fish oil supplement that the kids love (so do the adults) that tastes like lemon-lime Skittles or an orange creamsicle pudding! (You would never know it is fish oil rich in EPA and DHA.) Grape seed extract, given in a small capsule or mixed in fruit juice and according to formula, is very beneficial for calming, and help to focus. It is one of the few things that pass the blood brain barrier. Grape seed extract is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and helps to build new blood vessels and promote new vessel growth. There is on-going research about how this extract helps the brain, but Kathy figured it out many years ago, with excellent results. Kathy has also developed two essential oil blends that may help. The first, Brain Power, is designed to help one recall information. While studying, one inhales the oils and the information is now tied to the oil scent. When test time comes or you need to retrieve the information, you sniff the oils, and voila! The information comes flooding back. The other blend is called "I Know I Can". Kathy created this oil blend for a family member to help them with self confidence and self esteem. Aromatherapy is a wonderful thing! There are many other essential oils to help lift the spirits and to calm the mind, such as neroli, tangerine, sweet orange, chamomile, to name a few. This is where I would start. As your son gets older, and is more prone to swallow capsules, there are other products we would use. Of course, there is the small possibility that your son may need a prescription, and that is fine also. Let's hope it is a last resort and not a first choice. Jonathan Doggy breath mix nixed Several weeks ago, a column appeared in the a local newspaper that suggested an essential oil mixture to treat bad breath and inflamed gums on a dog. Many people came into the store and called about the mixture. We at the Herbaruim did our best to talk people out of using the mixture because of the concentration of oils high in phenols(meaning they burn!) in the concoction. I told Kathy about the recipe, and she said the dog would probably bite the person trying to put those oils on tender gums. We suggest you try myrrh powder. Myrrh is anti-bacterial anti-microbial, astringent and very soothing to the gums. Humans use it and it works well; you probably won't get bitten using the myrrh. To counteract bad breath, try feeding the dog parsley, or a chlorophyll supplement. The bad breath is coming from the tummy, not the mouth. And really, this is a dog. Who better to have dog breath? Think about some of the stuff they eat for heaven sake! Addressing Herbarium rumors Finally, I want to thank my editor for allowing me this opportunity to clarify several rumors that are circulating about the Herbarium. Here is the real story. The Herbarium is not closing. We just celebrated our 30th anniversary in business and are alive and well, thanks to you, our loyal customers. The Herbarium is, however, up for sale, but we are not closing. If you have any questions or for further detail, please call the store. Please send your questions on botanical remedies to Natures Rx : Jonathan Evans via e-mail at info@theherbarium.com, or by regular mail at The Herbarium, 264 Exchange Street, Chicopee, MA 01013.