Saffron is just as effective as Ritalin in managing symptoms of ADHD – study

( Natural News ) Saffron ( Crocus sativus ) is gaining a lot of attention not just as an herb, but also as a natural treatment for brain health problems, including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In a recent study published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology , saffron was found to be just as effective as Ritalin in managing the symptoms of ADHD – except it is natural. ADHD is one of the most common neuropsychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. Many patients with this condition do not respond to drug stimulants or cannot tolerate their side effects. Therefore, natural alternative medicines may be considered. For this reason, researchers from Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iran looked at the safety and efficacy of saffron in managing ADHD symptoms. The team compared saffron with a commonly prescribed drug for ADHD called methylphenidate , the generic name for Ritalin. In conducting the study, the researchers recruited 54 children and adolescents aged six to 17 years old who were diagnosed with ADHD. They randomly assigned the children to receive either 20 to 30 milligrams (mg) of methylphenidate per day or 20 to 30 mg of saffron capsules per day, depending on weight. The researchers also assessed the children’s symptoms at the beginning of the study, at the third week, and at the sixth week of the study. Of the participants, only 50 completed the trial. Participants in both saffron and methylphenidate groups exhibited equivalent and significant improvement in ADHD symptoms. In addition, both treatments were tolerated well by the participants and did not cause adverse events. The frequency of side effects also did not differ significantly between the groups. Discover how to prevent and reverse heart disease (and other cardio related events) with this free ebook : Written by […]

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