If you look through the Unritalin Website, you’ll find several articles showing how herbal remedies alleviate ADHD. Aside from AD-FX and Vaxa Attend, there are five more herbal formulations that can boost brain functions and help children and adults overcome hyperactivity and inattention. Although these supplements are generally safe, seek the advice of your health care specialist before consuming or giving any to your child.

Flavay Plus for Healthy Immune and Nervous Systems

Research shows that the brain and the immune system have a direct influence upon each other’s functions. One way to achieve better neurotransmitter production is to consume vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that can support this connection. Flavay is a powerful nutritional supplement that provides support for both the immune system and nervous system. As an immune system booster, it recycles the activity of vitamins E and C, providing the body with more ammunition against infection and antioxidant protection against free radicals. As food for the brain, Flavay Plus contains phosphatidyl serine, a group of fatty acids and amino acids from soy lecithin that is a proven therapeutic agent against memory disorders. In a clinical trial where 26 children with ADHD took 300mg of phosphatidyl serine daily, 25 of them had improved learning capacity and behavior without any side effects. Other published double-blind studies show that this nutrient can treat depression naturally.

Phosphatidyl serine has another positive effect child with ADHD. The Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders report that children with ADHD are likely to have abnormal rhythms in the stress hormone cortisol. Studies show that this nutrient can calm down exaggerated stress in young people by normalizing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal’s stress-induced activation of the brain. In other words, phosphadtidyl serine regularizes brain activity, allowing the child to concentrate on tasks without jumping from thought to thought.

Finally, Flavay Plus contains other vitamins and minerals known to benefit children with ADHD, such as gingko biloba, zinc, magnesium, B-vitamins, and selenium. A bottle of Flavay Plus costs USD 78 ( 120 capsules per bottle). Available at flavay.com.

BrightSpark for Improved Behavior

BrightSpark is a homeopathic remedy especially formulated to handle hyperactivity, impulsivity, and distractibility in children. The positive effects of BrightSpark on concentration and behavior are due to four carefully-selected herbs:

• Hyocyamus is known to calm down restless, over-excitable, and disruptive behavior in children. This herb is also known to provide relief to involuntary twitching, fidgeting, or grunting.
• Arsen iod can bring out balance during temper outbursts and suppresses annoyances during frustrating situations. It is often recommended for children who are prone to sudden outbursts or who are particularly impatient and excitable.
• Verta alb promotes emotional stability and calm nerves. Ideal for inattentive children who tend to feel anxious.
• Tuberculinum is an homeopathic herb for allergy-related symptoms, but it can also be used to soothe destructive anger and irritability.

BrightSpark comes in a chewable tablet form and is available for USD 43 per bottle (125 tablets per bottle). Available at nativeremedies.com.

Vaxa Memorin for Better Brain Function

Children and adults with ADHD have problems with working memory, the aspect of short-term memory that deals with processing and retrieving information to accomplish certain tasks. Vaxa Memorin can provide the brain with the essential nutrients needed for better memory, concentration, and attention. This herbal supplement contains amino acids that aid L-Tyrosine and L-Phenylalanine, the precursors of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. Vaxa Memorin also contains GABA, a non-protein amino acid that functions as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, protecting brain activity from getting over-excited while enhancing alertness and focus. Finally, this supplement contains gingko biloba for protection against free radical damage, lipid oxidation, and better memory function. Vaxa Memorin costs USD 27 per bottle (60 capsules per bottle) and should be taken at the start of the day for best results. Available at vaxa.com.

Vaxa Extress for Stress Relief

This herbal preparation can also counter-act the effects of the stress hormone cortisol. Vaxa Extress contains a combination of helpful amino acids that are the precursors to norepinephrine and dopamine. These amino acids also have another positive effect on the body: when the body is under stress, it breaks down proteins at a much faster rate. Vaxa Extress contains the amino acids that can regulate protein metabolism, preventing the needless breakdown of proteins and the unnecessary utilization of other amino acids in the body. As the body prevents these nutrients from breaking down, the child experiences the positive psychological effect of reduced stress and anxiety. Vaxa Extress costs USD 29 per bottle (60 capsules per bottle). Available at vaxa.com.

Digestin for Healthy Digestion

Digestin is the only herbal supplement in this group that does not deal with the symptoms of ADHD directly, but its effects on the digestive system can eliminate problems caused by intolerances to gluten, casein, and other allergens. This formula contains marshmallow root, peppermint leaf, gentian root, papaya leaf, and papain, which stimulates natural digestive secretions and clears up digestive complaints. Peppermint leaf, in particular, cleanses the gastro-intestinal tract of toxins and undigested particles. Digestin also complements dysfunctional pancreas, influences the muscular tone of digestive organs, and allows wastes to be removed quickly. Digestin costs $27 per bottle (60 capsules per bottle). Available at vaxa.com.