Herbal medicines in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): A systematic review

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#adolescent #attention-deficit-disorder-with-hyperactivity #child #child-preschool #drugs-chinese-herbal

Herbal medicines in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): A systematic review

Anheyer et al., 2017 | Complement Ther Med | Systematic Review

Citation

Anheyer Dennis, Lauche Romy, ... Cramer Holger. Herbal medicines in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): A systematic review. Complement Ther Med. 2017-Feb;30:14-23. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2016.11.004

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review is to identify evidence in herbal therapy in the treatment of ADHD concerning effectiveness and drug tolerability. METHOD: For this Medline/PubMed, Scopus and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Central) were searched from their inception to 15 July 2016. Only randomized controlled trails (RCT) with children (0-18years) suffering from ADHD were included in this review. RESULTS: Nine RCTs with 464 patients comparing herbal pharmaceuticals to placebo or active control were included. Seven different herbs were tested in the treatment of ADHD symptoms. Low evidence could be found for Melissa officinalis, Valeriana officinalis and Passiflora incarnata. Limited evidence could be found for pine bark extract and Gingko biloba. The other herbal preparations showed no efficacy in the treatment of ADHD symptoms. CONCLUSION: While there is still a lack of sufficient numbers of RCTs no concrete recommendations for use can be made so far.

Key Findings

Nine RCTs with 464 patients comparing herbal pharmaceuticals to placebo or active control were included. Seven different herbs were tested in the treatment of ADHD symptoms. Low evidence could be found for Melissa officinalis, Valeriana officinalis and Passiflora incarnata. Limited evidence could be found for pine bark extract and Gingko biloba. The other herbal preparations showed no efficacy in the treatment of ADHD symptoms.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 464
Age Range 0-18years
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adolescent
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Female
  • Herbal Medicine
  • Humans
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plants, Medicinal
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: valerian

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09