The anxiety problem tackled amongst ADHD patients is also the same dilemma encountered by every parent whose kid is diagnosed with the disorder.

The Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder common amongst three to five percent of the total children populace, is a neuro-behavior-nutritional disorder as many studies prove. In this light, many wise parents realize that their child’s treatment does not have to necessarily depend on expensive prescription treatments which may actually even worsen their child’s condition.

For this reason, many thinking parents who have kids identified with the symptoms of the ADHD disorder, nowadays, do not usually jump right away to extreme medical intervention. Instead, they opt to go for natural remedies for ADHD.

Apart from working with the child’s educator and psychologist to help train the ADD child’s behavior, parents work with the natural lifestyle adjustment of his or her child, specifically by addressing his diet. Otherwise, he or she relies on the aid of natural herbs which prove observable effects in countering the symptoms of the disorder.

Most commonly available natural remedies for ADHD are found in a green thumb’s backyard. The St. John’s Wort or the Klamath Weed is said to have components which helps improve the ADHD-child’s condition. St. John’s Wort has hypericin, dianathrones and flavoniods – all of which act as anti-depressants in the body. This relieves anxiety and restlessness of a child. Fresh Lemon Balm, an aromatic herb with a hint of lemon taste is said to be a cure-all for nervous system problems. It apparently addresses the hyperactivity of ADHD children. Chamomile Tea, crushed from the plant flowers, act as a great relaxant for an anxious and restless ADHD body.

More than the treatment these herbal plants offer, it is interesting to note that they could be available at our backyard if we make the effort to cultivate a garden. Additionally, maintaining greenery within our picket fence might prove to be a worthy activity as it could just release the energy of the hyperactive child we all want to help.

A phobia is an overwhelming and unreasonable fear of an object or situation that poses little real danger. A phobia is a long lasting illness that can cause intense physical and psychological distress and can affect a person’s ability to function normally at work or in social settings. Phobias can be divided into specific phobias, social phobia and fear of open spaces, which is known as agoraphobia. Specific phobias are further divided into a fear of enclosed spaces (claustrophobia); fear of animals (zoophobia); fear of heights (acrophobia); fear of flying (pterygophobia); fear of water (hydrophobia) and fear of surgery, injections, tunnels, bridges etc. Genetics, neurotransmitter dysfunction in the brain, and traumatic experiences appear to influence the development of phobias.

All phobias can be treated quite well with cognitive behavioral therapies. In addition, medicines may be required for social phobias and agoraphobia. Ayurvedic medicines can be used to treat depression, anxiety, palpitations and elevated blood pressure. Medicines like Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), Khurasani ova (Hyoscyamus niger) and Jayphal (Myristica fragrans) are used for their sedative effect. To treat depression, medicines like Vacha (Acorus calamus), Jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculata), Laxmi-Vilas-Ras and Shrung-Bhasma are used. The signs and symptoms of fear, such as an increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, a pounding heart, and a shaking voice and limbs, can be treated using medicines like Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Mandukparni (Centella asiatica), Jatamansi, Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia serpentina), Saraswatarishta, Arjunarishta, Dashmoolarishta, Tankan (Purified borax) and Arjun (Terminalia arjuna).

Medicines like Makar-Dhwaj- Ras, Maha-Laxmi-Vilas-Ras, Bruhat-Vat-Chintamani, Suvarna-Bhasma, Abhrak-Bhasma and Trivang-Bhasma are used in very minute doses along with the above-mentioned medicines, to bring about a faster therapeutic response and to help prevent a recurrence of symptoms. Ayurvedic Panchkarma procedures like ‘Shirodhara’ and ‘Shirobasti’ can act as effective tranquilizers to reduce anxiety and panic attacks. Another Panchkarma procedure known as ‘Nasya’ can be used to treat depression by using strong, stimulant, medicated nasal drops containing Vacha, Sunthi (Zinziber officinalis) and Pippali (Piper longum).

Since phobias usually develop at an early age, it is important for parents to talk openly about fears and to pursue positive approaches to fears and phobias, so as to help prevent their children from falling victims to these conditions. If phobias do develop, a direct or gradual confrontation is recommended instead of an avoidance of the object or situation.

Your muscles tense, your heartbeat speeds up, and your breathing becomes more rapid. You might feel like you are smothering, claustrophobic or you may experience an urgency to get away. On top of that, you may get hot flashes, sweating, and/or chills and trembling, plus numbness, tingling sensations, dizziness, and nausea.

You become overwhelmed by an extreme sense of fear and impending disaster and you lose your ability to think calmly and clearly while experiencing a distorted sense of time and a feeling of unreality.

In the face of a physical threat, accident, or natural disaster, this type of response is normal and can be life-saving. But panic attacks that occur unexpectedly in the presence of normal events can be debilitating. They may happen with no forewarning, at any time of the day or night, and last several seconds or more than half an hour.

The triggers for panic attacks are unpredictable. Most panic attacks are set off by some minor or major stressor. But panic attacks also can be triggered by changes in emotions, or as a response to certain drugs, foods, allergies (including hidden food allergies), hypoglycemia, and illnesses.

A panic attack is an example of an acute anxiety disorder and can affect teens to middle-agers and beyond. Women are reported to experience panic attacks twice as often as men but some believe that is only because men are more reticent to report panic attacks.

Recent studies point to a complex set of causes and panic attacks are regarded as a treatable psychobiological condition (i.e. having both psychological and biological causes). Successful resolution of panic attacks requires an integrated, multi-modality approach.

Even though panic attacks are not a simple condition and there are no simple answers for their successful resolution, herbal therapy can be useful as part of an integrated, multi-modality approach.

When you experience anxiety, your body releases a set of neurotransmitters called catecholamines, which stimulate your central nervous system and activate your sympathetic nervous system. Sometimes your sympathetic nervous system (the high alert part of your nervous system) can get stuck in the “on” mode leaving you in an ongoing state of anxiety – a fertile ground for panic attacks.

A class of herbs called nervines helps to turn off the sympathetic nervous system by gently facilitating the functioning of the parasympathetic nervous system – the part of the nervous system that prompts relaxation – helping us to wind down and come off “high alert”.

It is a good idea to experiment with different anti-anxiety herbs before you are in a crisis or panic situation. Try out several herbs in varying doses. Start with a low dose and increase if needed so that you will know how the herb affects you and how to use it when you need it.

Some effective herbal nervines to consider using:

Oatstraw (Avena sativa) – the green milky tops of oatstraw provide a wonderful soothing, nourishing and gentle herb for frayed and stressed nervous systems. Oatstraw has a restorative effect on an exhausted nervous system reliably strengthening the whole nervous system after prolong stress. Oatstraw has both an immediate effect (useful when experiencing extreme nervousness and anxiety) and a more long-term restorative effect. Oatstraw is well tolerated by even highly sensitive people and is used for nervous debility, stress, weak nerve and energy force, anxiety, depression, exhaustion, and general fatigue.

German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla/ Matricaria recutita) – an all time favorite -because it works. Chamomile tones the nervous system, relaxes your muscles and calms nervous digestion. It has mild sedating properties and is not as strong an herbal sedative as valerian or passionflower. However, chamomile is a great option for anxiety in children or teens and for anxiety associated with mild sleep problems. If you are allergic to ragweed, asters, or chrysanthemums you are better off choosing another anti-anxiety herb.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) -has mild sedative properties and is useful in conditions of nervous agitation with sleep problems and digestive complaints. Lemon balm is especially useful for over-anxiety that causes digestive problems such as nausea, bloating, and colic like pains. Traditionally lemon balm was used to lift the spirits and encourage longevity. Lemon balm is a relaxing tonic for anxiety, restlessness, irritability, and mild depression and its actions will quiet the racing heart that often accompanies anxiety. It has mild anti-thyroid effects and is best avoided by people with hypothyroid problems.

Skullcap (Scutellaria laterifolia) -tonifies and relaxes the nervous system and is useful for anxiety of all types especially anxiety and irritability that is hormonally based such as premenstrual syndrome. It is a sedative nervine and has mild anti-spasmodic and anti-hypertensive effects. Skullcap is a great herb to use when your anxiety is accompanied by a runaway mind that is stuck on worry. It is tolerated well by most people and has few side effects.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) – one of the most well known anti-anxiety herbs, valerian is a potent herb whose active ingredients, valepotriates, bind to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain (similarly to the drug Valium). The use of valerian does not, however, result in dependence or the development of tolerance but instead tones the nervous system.

Valerian can be used to improve the sleep quality and relax both the skeletal and smooth muscles. Valerian should not be used for those with chronic exhaustion, adrenal fatigue, thyroid disorders, and depression as it may increase anxiety, worsen present symptoms, and/or result in excessive restlessness in these conditions.

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) – a strong calming, anti-spasmodic herb that is good for severe daytime anxiety. Passionflower is also a good choice for middle of the night waking terrors, nightmares, and the onset of sudden anxiety feelings. It acts as a central nervous system depressant giving a calming, relaxing and anti-anxiety effect and is specific for anxiety related to insomnia, muscle tension, restlessness, and nervousness due to worry, overwork, hysteria, or excessive excitement. If you are taking an MAO inhibitor, you should avoid taking passionflower except under supervision.

Stress Relief Tea

Here is a simple herbal tea mixture that I have found effective in my private practice working with women having mood and energy problems.

Mix together equal parts of the following dry herbs:

•Oatstraw

•Lemon Balm

•Skullcap

•Nettles

•Orange

•Chamomile

Use 1-2 teaspoons of the mixture and steep covered in 8 oz. of boiling water for 5-10 minutes.

The use of herbal nervines as part of an integrative program can help restore a sense of calm and well being, soothe distress, stabilize a confused and overwhelmed energy system, and foster clear thinking.

If you are taking anti-anxiety and/or anti-depressant medications or other medications, have a diagnosed condition or illness, are pregnant, breastfeeding, elderly or very young it is important to consult a knowledgeable health care practitioner before using herbs. Consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment of any medical conditions.