The presentation of plant extracts for ADHD is for completeness only. The remedies presented have not been sufficiently scientifically investigated for ADHD. Massive side effects are possible. We must therefore urgently warn against their use.
In principle, plant extracts have the disadvantage that they contain a collection of active ingredients and therefore often develop a broad and not easily controllable spectrum of mechanisms of action - some of which may be desired and some undesired. Individual active ingredients, on the other hand, can be used much more precisely and selectively to achieve only the desired effects and avoid the undesired ones.
The example of antidepressants is a good illustration of this. While tricyclic antidepressants, which brought about considerable improvements in the treatment of depression when they were introduced several decades ago, were often serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors at the same time, more modern antidepressants are much more selective (e.g. SSRIs: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and can therefore meet the needs of the patient much more precisely due to this selectivity.
Another disadvantage of plants as medicinal products is the natural variation of the ingredients. It therefore makes a big difference whether you obtain plants and brew a tea or buy the extract of the plant as a medicine in the pharmacy. Only by controlling the type and quantity of ingredients is it possible to ensure reliable efficacy and dosage.
A search for expressly “alternative treatment methods” - which is sometimes rather emotionally driven - is, on the other hand, a logical short-circuit within a medium period of time. If an “alternative treatment method” were as effective as the mainstream treatments, it would very quickly become very successful through simple word-of-mouth (e.g. in the ADHD forum.adxs.org) - and thus mainstream. Conversely, this means that alternative treatment options that have been known for a long time are hardly successful - otherwise they would no longer be alternative.
1. Ginseng¶
1.1. Dopaminergic mechanisms of action of ginseng¶
Ginseng contains
- Ginsenosides. These are known to be powerful antioxidants with neuroprotective properties
- Saponins
- Phenols
- Polyacetylenes
- Alkaloids
- Polysaccharides.
- Gintonin, a non-saponin polymer and lysophosphatidic acid receptor agonist
Ginseng root is said to influence neurotransmitters in the brain:
-
Dopamine
- after 2 weeks
- increased in the PFC (which could be beneficial in ADHD with regard to organizational problems)
- in the striatum is reduced (which would be detrimental to drive and motivation in ADHD)
- after 7 weeks
- reduced in many areas of the brain (which would be detrimental to ADHD overall)
-
PFC, striatum, hippocampus, hypothalamus, limbic lobe, midbrain, cerebellum and medulla oblongata
- Noradrenaline
- after 2 weeks
- after 7 weeks
- reduced in many areas of the brain (which would be detrimental to ADHD overall)
-
PFC, striatum, hippocampus, hypothalamus, limbic lobe, midbrain, cerebellum and medulla oblongata
- Serotonin
- after 2 weeks
- increased in the striatum
- increased in the cerebellum
- in the hypothalamus is reduced
- after 7 weeks
- increased in the cerebellum
- reduced in the other areas of the brain
-
PFC, striatum, hippocampus, hypothalamus, limbic lobe, midbrain and medulla oblongata
Red Korean ginseng protected the blood-brain barrier and protected - probably by reducing oxidative processes - against dopaminergic neuronal damage in the striatum in a Parkinson’s model. One hypothesis is that this could be caused by ginsenosides
Gintonin appears to regulate dopamine transmission in PC12 cells and alleviate MPTP-induced motor impairments by increasing TH levels in the striatum. In addition, gintonin appears to reduce synuclein in the substantia nigra and striatum and thereby have a neuroprotective effect on dopamine neurons, which would be helpful in Parkinson’s .
However, these mechanisms cannot simply be transferred to ADHD.
Apart from the increase in tyrosine hydroxylase in the striatum, there are no recognizable mechanisms that would be helpful for ADHD.
1.2. Ginseng for ADHD¶
There are very few studies on the use of ginseng for ADHD. On this basis, use should be cautioned against.
An observational clinical study of 18 children with ADHD reported that 1000 mg of red Korean ginseng over 8 weeks improved inattention.
A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study found a statistically significant improvement in inattention and hyperactivity and a reduced theta-beta ratio in the QEEG after 8 weeks with 2 g Korean red ginseng extract/day. Salivary cortisol and DHEA levels were unchanged. Another study investigated a combination of ginseng with omega 3.
A case study of 3 adolescents with ADHD reported improved inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity in the parent report using Panax ginseng, which is a dopamine and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor. The same author also reported improvements in ADHD with St. John’s wort and true chamomile in apparently always the same 3 patients. No scientific weight should be attached to these studies. Why a meta-study nevertheless cites this study without comment as an argument for the effectiveness of ginseng in ADHD is incomprehensible.
2. Ginkgo biloba¶
There are very few studies on the use of Ginkgo biloba for ADHD. On this basis, use should be cautioned against.
A randomized double-blind study found Ginkgo biloba to be less effective than MPH for ADHD. MPH showed more frequent side effects of loss of appetite, headaches and insomnia. It was significant that the effect was rated much higher in the parents’ assessment than in the teachers’ assessment - a pattern that often occurs with emotionally desirable treatment methods.
Up to 240 mg of Ginkgo biloba improved ADHD behavioral symptoms and electrical brain activity in children in a very small study (n = 20).
A randomized, placebo-controlled study of children and adolescents with ADHD found that Ginkgo biloba, in addition to 20 to 30 mg MPH, improved its effect.
Simultaneous treatment with Ginkgo biloba and ginseng alleviated ADHD symptoms in children in a small study (n = 36), with few side effects.
The extract from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba is used as a herbal medicine against dementia.
3. Yizhidan (YZD)¶
Yizhidan is said to have a comparable level of efficacy to methylphenidate with fewer side effects.
Yizhidan appears to be a Chinese medicinal plant.
Since there is no other study on this apart from the one mentioned, the study was only single-blind (which can potentially cause a bias in favor of the desired result) and the study itself cannot be verified, the result is in no way certain.
The investigation report also shows a peculiar parallel to that on Tiashen Liquor, since in both cases the impairments to be eliminated by the drug in the test animals were caused by the same means and are described in the same wording, and it appears to be the same journal.
4. Tiaoshen Liquor (TL)¶
Tiaoshen Liquor is said to be made from Chinese medicinal herbs. A study of 100 children showed a significant reduction in symptoms.
As there is no other study on this apart from the one mentioned and the study itself cannot be verified, the result is in no way certain.
The investigation report also shows a peculiar parallel to that on Yizhidan (YZD), since in both cases the impairments to be eliminated by the drug in the test animals are caused by the same means and described in the same wording, and it appears to be the same journal.
5. Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, Catalpol¶
In an article (which at least meets scientific formalities), the efficacy of Rehmanniae Radix Preparata as a remedy for ADHD frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) was investigated. However, there is a complete lack of trials with test subjects and it is openly communicated that the financier of the article influenced the publication.
Another article confirmed a positive effect of Catalpol, a component of Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, on ADHD symptoms in rats
Catalpol is then said to increase the levels of
- BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor)
- Cdk5 (Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5)
- P35
- FGF 21 (Fibroblast Growth Factor 21)
- FGFR 1 (FGF 21 receptor)
which should have a positive effect on learning ability, which is reduced in ADHD due to reduced levels of BDNF and other neurotrophic factors.
6. Kratom¶
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tree found in Asia. The dried leaves are used. Other names are biak, gra-tom, biak-biak, katawn, krton, mabog or mambog.
The use of kratom for ADHD has been reported, especially as a self-medication.
Since the effect of kratom can vary greatly depending on the type of tree and dose, and can even be the opposite, and the effect has not yet been proven, we must urgently warn against self-medication.
There are indications of an addictive potential and of the potential to trigger seizures, each described on the basis of individual cases.
7. Lycium chinense¶
A fruit extract of Lycium chinense showed significant improvement in verbal learning test, digit span forward test, digit span backward test, auditory continuous performance of CNT and FAIR performance score compared to the placebo group in a double-blind randomized trial against placebo. ADHD was an exclusion criterion for the test subjects. Application to ADHD sufferers has not been reported to date.
As always, such research results are only reliable after replication by other research teams.
8. Saffron¶
A randomized double-blind study found the same improvement in ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents with saffron as with MPH, with the same side effect rate.
A non-randomized study with conflicts of interest of the authors claimed an equivalent effect strength of saffron extract on ADHD symptoms as methylphenidate with a better effect on hyperactivity than MPH, while MPH had a better effect on inattention. 7 patients from the methylphenidate group (25.9 %) and 10 patients from the saffron group (31.2 %) reported side effects.
Two randomized double-blind clinical trials found an improved effect of MPH plus saffron compared to MPH alone.
