As parents we’re left basically with unknown territory and the FDA and drug companies, which many people do not trust, especially knowing that many of the major drug companies provide funding for the approval of drugs. Stories of children having negative, even life threatening side effects to ADHD treatments and medications leaves many parents wondering if there is a safer and more natural remedy to help their struggling child and help them save their own sanity

In the uncharted territory of alternative treatments available parents must be just as equally cautious as they are about putting their child on medication. We live in a society where we would all like instant results and cures for our problems and ailments. Unfortunately there are many people who prey on this desire for us to believe there is a miracle cure and will try to convince you and sell you just about anything – and whether it’s safe or effective doesn’t matter to them. While we’d all like to take some sort of magical formula and watch all of our problems disappear, it usually takes quite a bit more work than that.

That is why this website ADHD Parent Support does not recommend or support any specific treatment or cure for ADHD symptoms. Every child is different, and so is every situation unique in diagnosing the condition as well as the way to treat it.

The best thing parents can do is to seek the trusted opinion of behavioral health specialists, educate themselves as much as possible in the different treatments available, and try to look at the situation objectively in making a decision to determine the best thing for their child’s health.

Allowing social media stigmas against medication or therapy or the opinions of family members, friends, or other parents influence your decision you may not ultimately be what is best for you and your child. This list is meant to be only a resource in helping you learn the different alternatives available that you can research further and discuss with your child’s doctor.

Here is an overview of natural remedy options:

Behavioral Counseling: While behavioral counseling is not a “natural remedy” in the form of something you can take or eat, it is one of the most useful and successful methods in treating ADHD successfully, with or without the use of other treatments or medications. For children too young for medication, or for those who constantly struggle with behavioral issues, it can take many months or years to see improvement, but in general it always leads to a more positive outcome.  Finding the right therapist is vital – be sure to find someone with a thorough understanding and plenty of experience.

Diet: Many parents and professionals have speculated that diet may be a way to change a child’s behavior. The keyword here is speculated, since there have not been a lot of studies done that effectively prove that it is what causes symptoms or can help alleviate them. The ADHD diet is a strict one that may also potentially deprive your child of nutritional value he or she needs that restricts a large amount of dairy, protein, and whole grains. For parents of picky eaters, it would be practically impossible to try this diet without first being involved in a major battle of what the kid can and cannot eat. Having other family members in the house would also cause a lot of grief with this. If you are considering a special diet for your child, it would be best to first speak with your pediatrician and a nutrition specialist who can perform allergy tests. You may likely be best off simply following the USDA’s guidelines for a well balanced diet outlined by the food pyramid.

Vitamins: From fish oil to flaxseed to Vitamin C, there are plenty of supplements and vitamins available that many believe could potentially help with ADHD. However, most people do not realize that if they are eating a well balanced and nutritional diet they do not need vitamins – and taking more vitamins that your body needs can be much more dangerous than a potential deficiency. For example, takin iron supplements without the direction or advice of a doctor can be fatal. Again, speak with a pediatrician or child nutritionist before taking any course of action. You can likely get all of the child’s needs in a well balanced diet without the need of supplements. See our article on ADHD Vitamin Supplements.

Aromatherapy: Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for treatment of emotional or physical symptoms. While there have been proven studies that certain smells do change our patterns of brain waves, it is also another untested territory related to ADHD. It is believed that citrus smells such as orange and lemon can be related to helping improve focus and concentration, where smells such as lavender can help with relaxation. Will burning scented aromatherapy candles transform your child’s behavior overnight? Most likely not, but at least your house will smell good!

Music Therapy: Music therapy is another natural remedy option that some parents may wish to explore. There is some research supporting the effect of music in calming and focusing, though specific ADHD treatment studies are few and far between. You can find meditative music just about anywhere, though there are other audio tracks that work specifically on tuning to certain frequencies and rhythms to produce an effect. Speaking to a reputable and experienced music therapist can give you more information and insight on this type of treatment.

Meditation: Meditation is another possible treatment source for ADHD that does not require drugs or medication. However, it is quite likely that you will have difficulty in getting your ADHD child to sit somewhere long enough to practice meditative techniques. If you can find a child meditation specialist in your area, that may help you learn ways to get him or her interested. While it most likely will not cure ADHD, as there is no cure, it could be a good way to learn how to manage hyperactivity and over stimulation.

With so many different ADHD natural remedy options, it is not surprising that some parents may decide to try these instead or in lieu of professional advice. Many parents are looking for that magical miracle cure when unfortunately one does not exist, and it can take years of experimentation with medications, therapy, and other treatments before finally finding the right combination of things that is best for you and your child. For these reasons, it is imperative to start things off right and as soon as possible by talking to your child’s doctor. The sooner you start seeking help, the sooner you will better understand the disorder and begin seeing hope again.