Emotional and Behavioral Problems by Martha Schindler Connors with Larry Altshuler, M.D.
Growing up means facing new social and developmental challenges, which can create anxiety and bring issues like attention difficulties to center stage.
Anxiety and Excitability
Most young children are lively, but excessive energy can be hard on both parent and child. Children who aren't emotionally mature enough to calm themselves get overly agitated, which can interfere with sleep as well as daytime functioning. Some young children also become anxious.
Parents looking for a way to safely calm a child — without pharmaceutical sedatives — should investigate the following herbs:
• Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) |
This soothing herb can brew a mild, pleasant-tasting tea that can calm an agitated toddler. It also works in a bath. |
• Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) |
Lemon balm is another gentle, kid-friendly remedy for anxiety. Recent research found that a combination of lemon balm and valerian (Valeriana officinalis) reduced restlessness and improved sleep in young children. |
• Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) |
This is a classic remedy for anxiety, nervousness and excitability, and insomnia. |
<B>Attention Difficulties</B></h2>
<p>Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a behavioral disorder involving inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that most often shows up in preschool or early elementary school; as many as 9 percent of American children aged eight to fifteen have symptoms.</p>
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<p>A recent study found that “green” outdoor activities — things that exposed kids to trees and grass — reduced ADHD symptoms significantly more than activities that were conducted in other (i.e., indoor) settings.</p>
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<p>Conventional medicine most often treats ADHD with stimulants like amphetamines (Adderall) and methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin) or atomoxetine hydrochloride (Strattera). Side effects can include decreased appetite, insomnia, anxiety, stomachache, or headache.</p>
<p>Herbalism offers a few alternatives (these herbs can also be used in conjunction with conventional ADHD treatments):</p>
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<td><p>• <B>American ginseng</B> (<B>Panax quinquefolius</B>)</p></td>
<td><p>Preliminary evidence has shown that a combination of ginkgo (<B>Ginkgo biloba</B>) and American ginseng extracts can reduce anxiety, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in children.</p></td>
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<td><p>• <B>Flax</B> (<B>Linum usitatissimum</B>)</p></td>
<td><p>Research shows that kids with ADHD have lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for psychological functioning. There's evidence that supplementing kids with omega-3s, like those in flax oil, can alleviate symptoms of ADHD.</p></td>
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<td><p>• <B>Ginkgo</B> (<B>Ginkgo biloba</B>)</p></td>
<td><p>It's best known for improving cognitive functioning in older people, but research shows that ginkgo can reduce anxiety, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in kids, too.</p></td>
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<td><p>• <B>Maritime pine</B> (<B>Pinus pinaster</B>)</p></td>
<td><p>An extract from this tree's bark has been shown to reduce hyperactivity and increase attentiveness and concentration in kids with ADHD.</p></td>
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