A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that St. John's wort is no more effective than a placebo for treating children with ADD / ADHD. St. John’s wort, also known by its Latin botanical name, Hypericum perforatum, is 1 of the top 3 botanicals used in alternative therapies for ADHD. The other two most common herbal treatments used are Echinacea species and Ginkgo biloba.
St. John’s wort has been found to inhibit the reuptake or reabsorption of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. So, researchers hypothesized that it may also be beneficial in the treatment of ADHD.
To read more about St. John's Wort click on National Center For Complementary and Alternative Medicine
“To our knowledge, this is the first placebo-controlled trial of Hypericum perforatum in children and adolescents,” says study author Dr. Wendy Weber, a research associate professor in the School of Naturopathic Medicine at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington. “The results of this study suggest that administration of Hypericum perforatum has no additional benefit beyond that of placebo for treating symptoms of child and adolescent ADHD. In our study, those in the Hypericum perforatum group experienced neither more nor fewer adverse events than the placebo group.”
The use of St. John’s wort has been studied fairly extensively in the treatment of depression with mixed results.
We often think of herbal supplements as safe and all-natural, but it is important to be as careful in assessing side effects and risks when considering these therapies. It is also very important to remember that most herbal supplements have the potential to interact with other medications. St. John’s wort tends to increase the metabolism of other drugs.
Always consult with your child’s doctor before adding any supplements to your child’s treatment regime.
To read the complete JAMA report click on:
Source:
Wendy Weber, ND, PhD, MPH, Ann Vander Stoep, PhD, Rachelle L. McCarty, ND, MPH, Noel S. Weiss, MD, DrPH, Joseph Biederman, MD, Jon McClellan, MD. Hypericum perforatum (St John's Wort) for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Vol. 299, No. 22. 11, June 2008.
