Natural Hyperactivity Remedy? 16 Natural Remedies for Hyperactive Children

1. Red Clover Blossom

This herb can help to reduce depression and help with mood. Red clover helps produce dopamine which sends feel good chemicals to the brain. It’s also good for reducing inflammation and removing toxins from the blood, which is helpful for ADHD children who were exposed to chemicals. It’s often taken as a tea.

2. Chamomile

Another herbal remedy commonly taken in tea form is chamomile. It’s a natural relaxant and is a gentle option. It can also aid in better sleep if taken before bed.

3. Lime Blossom

Lime blossom is a stronger, but still safe option. This herb may reduce stress and relieve tension, which can impact a child’s ability to focus. 

4. Valerian Root

This can be used as an effective sedative or sleep aid, but is not habit forming. Children need upwards of ten hours of sleep each night, and adequate sleep is helpful in lessoning the symptoms of ADHD. Valerian root has been used to treat insomnia and genuinely leads to better quality sleep. You can find this root in a powder form or as a tea.

5. Catnip

Although catnip may cause you pet to behave widely, it’s another relaxant and sleep aid when it comes to hyperactivity. It’s safe for children and can lesson anxiety, nervousness, and insomnia. Steep catnip in a tea alone or combine it with chamomile and lime blossom for a relaxing blend.

6. California Poppy

Another sedative to help with lack of sleep and hyperactivity. It can also ease nervous agitation. Combined with magnesium, California poppy can also help treat anxiety.

7. Wild Lettuce

This herb is commonly mixed with other herbs and provides a safe and mild natural hyperactivity remedy. It acts as a sedative and helps to improve sleep. It is also used to calm restlessness and excitability in children, making it a great option for those with hyperactivity.

8. Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is both antiviral and antibacterial. Just like the herbs mentioned above, it can be used to calm nerves. This can help to lessen fidgeting and other symptoms of hyperactivity or impulsivity.

9. Avena (wild oats)

Oats have a number of uses, and treating hyperactivity is one of them. Hyperactivity is a form of stress, and avena sativa can help to reduce stress and anxiety, lessoning behavioral symptoms of AHDS or hyperactivity.

10. Zinc

Zinc supports brain health and aids in neurotransmission. It’s been suggested that children with ADHD have low levels of zinc. Naturally, a zinc supplement or a diet rich in foods containing zinc may be helpful.

11. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega 3s are important in any diet, but they can be an especially helpful natural hyperactivity remedy. This essential fatty acid it crucial when it comes to brain health and cognitive function. A healthy and functioning brain is less likely to show signs of ADHD.

12. Iron

Like with zinc, low levels of iron, or a deficiency seems to be more common in children with ADHD. A study found that participants taking ADHD drugs had higher iron levels in the brain. An iron deficiency can result in irritability, learning disabilities, and cognitive impairment.

13. Magnesium

Magnesium is incredibly important to overall health. It regulates sleep and can improve overall mood, it’s no wonder many ADHD children are found to be deficient in this mineral. Low levels of magnesium can cause irritability, short attention spans, and confusion. A magnesium supplement or a magnesium rich diet can be helpful for hyperactive children.

14. Ginkgo Biloba

This herb is known for it’s memory boosting capabilities and improving the ability to focus. Ginkgo biloba can also lower anxiety and help with depression. Children with hyperactivity or ADHD might find taking gingko biloba helps clear “brain fog” and focus on projects or school work more easily.

15. Ginseng

Another herb you’ve probably heard of is ginseng. It increases memory, concentration, and alertness, all of which can help someone diagnosed with ADHD. Gingsenosides are the key active ingredient that make ginseng such a beneficial natural remedy.

16. Gotu Kola

Also know as penny wort, this herb helps with depression while improving memory. It’s also helpful for alleviating the restlessness that’s common in ADHD and hyperactive kids. Gotu Kola can help combat short attention spans, anxiety, and depression as well. 

The Feingold Diet

With more and more evidence that hyperactivity my be affected by environmental factors, such as artificial food dyes and excess sugars in our diets, many are turning to dietary changes. Some of the foods we recommend never feeding your kids contain the ingredients this diet aims to remove. The Feingold Diet, developed by Ben Feingold, MD, an allergist, is an elimination diet designed to treat hyperactivity. It focuses on removing artificial food dyes, preservatives, and foods with salicylates, like oranges and apples. Many parents reported a noticeable change in their child’s behavior after following the Feingold Diet and research found the impact on behavior only seemed to increase in instances where more foods were eliminated from the diet. The authors of the study estimated that 30 percent of kids with ADHD experienced a reduction in symptoms when they initially eliminated foods such as wheat, rye, barley, eggs, dairy, corn, yeast, soy, citrus, eggs, chocolate and peanuts.