Have you notice that there’s ginseng in many energy drinks on the market?

Ginseng doesn’t improve physical performance, bu it may boost your brainpower.

Ginseng, especially when used with Ginkgo biloba, is believed to improve focus and memory in children with ADHD.

Herbal extracts of ginseng is shown to target the brain’s dopamine pathway and shows protective effect on these pathways from free radicals.

Ginsenoside, the active substance in ginseng, may help with some ADHD symptoms by boosting levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the key brain regions that are affiliated with ADHD.

Interestingly, many stimulants used to treat ADHD also work by boosting levels of dopamine and norepinephrine.

Imbalances between dopamine and norepinephrine in children with ADHD are suspected as one of the causes of ADHD resulting in disruptions of physiological processes such as attention span, complex cognitive processes, auditory processing delays, and motor behavioral dysfunctions

Korean red ginseng can reduce the production of the adrenal corticosteroids, cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and thus may be a viable treatment for ADHD.

A 2011 study showed that Korean red ginseng may be effective in improving inattentiveness in ADHD children. 18 children with ADHD aged between 6 and 14 were given Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) at 1,000 mg twice a day for 8 weeks.

After 8 weeks, there were significant differences were found in the omisssion errors of ADS at 8 weeks, Conners ADHD Rating Scale and Spielberger State Anxiety Scale

In a 2014 study, children with ADHD between age of 6–15 years were randomized into a Korean red ginseng group (n=33) or a control group (n=37). The KRG group received 1g KRG extract/pouch) twice a day, and the control group received one pouch of placebo twice a day.

At the 8 week point, the primary outcomes were the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria for inattention and hyperactivity scale scores, which were measured at baseline and 8 weeks after starting treatment. 

The KRG group had significantly decreased inattention/hyperactivity scores compared with the control group at week 8

A 2001 study looked at the the combined effect of an herbal product containing American ginseng extract, Panax quinquefolium, (200 mg) and Ginkgo biloba extract (50 mg) for its ability to improve the symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

 36 children with ADHD ranging in age from 3 to 17 years, took combines AMerican ginseng and ginkgo biloba capsules twice a day on an empty stomach for 4 weeks. 

After 2 weeks of treatment, the proportion of the subjects exhibiting improvement ranged from 31% for the anxious-shy attribute to 67% for the psychosomatic attribute.

After 4 weeks of treatment, subjects showed improvements, such as 44% improvement in the social problems and 74% for the Conners’ ADHD index and the DSM-IV hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.

You can find ginseng in various forms, such as powder, capsule, extract, candies, or tea forms in health food stores and most Asian food stores.

American ginseng may be used together gingko biloba for a synergistic effect, as gingko biloba increases blood flow to the brain.

Other ways to enjoy ginseng is to have it in tea form, such as green tea ginseng lemonade sweetened with honey. The lemon and honey will mask the taste and smell of ginseng. And, of course, energy drinks are options if you don’t have time to make tea.

Ginseng does have a very strong peculiar fragrant, especially when cooked or brewed.

You can brew a simple ginseng tea with ginseng powder or granules, or simply boiling sliced ginseng root (raw or dried) in water.

Here’s a powerful ginseng + ginkgo biloba supplement on the market now. It contains similar doses of ginseng and ginkgo biloba used in the studies reviewed.

Also, ginseng is not recommended for long-term daily use. Take ginseng in cycles of 14-days cycles.

Ginseng may increase the effects of caffeine, antipsychotics, blood pressure drugs, or steroidal medications. Please consult your physician before taking ginseng.

Ok, there you have it…

I hope you find this information helpful. Let me know what you think and comment below. 

Remember ADHD does not doom your child to a life of under-achievement. You know your child is bright, full of potential, and deserves the best. In fact, many of the world’s greatest discoveries and inventions were made by people with ADHD.

If you’re just starting out on this natural ADHD treatment journey and still in the research phase, check out my new book Eat to Focus. Inside this book, you’ll learn why your ADHD child is always hungry, why he or she seems addicted to milk and bread, the underlying causes of ADHD, and the most effective ADHD treatment that addresses all the causes to reduce hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and anxiety while improving focus and calmness in your ADHD child. 

Don’t forget to download your free gift 15 Quick & Simple ADHD-Friendly Breakfast Ideas before you leave.

Lee SH, Park WS, Lim MH. Clinical effects of korean red ginseng on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children: an observational study. J Ginseng Res. 2011;35(2):226-234. doi:10.5142/jgr.2011.35.2.226

Hae-Jin Ko, Inbo Kim, Jong-Bae Kim, Yong Moon, Min-Cheol Whang, Keun-Mi Lee, and Seung-Pil Jung.Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology.Nov 2014.501-508.http://doi.org/10.1089/cap.2014.0013

Lyon MR, Cline JC, Totosy de Zepetnek J, Shan JJ, Pang P, Benishin C. Effect of the herbal extract combination Panax quinquefolium and Ginkgo biloba on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a pilot study. J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2001;26(3):221-228.