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| Study | Botanical agent | Method | Participants | Outcomes | Proposed mechanism of action | Comments (side effects, etc.) |
|
| Dave et al. [23] | Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri)
Standardized Bacopa monnieri extract (SBME) (225 mg/day), for 6 months | Open-label study | 31 children, 6–12 years old with ADHD | Reduction of ADHD symptoms (restlessness, poor self-control, inattention, impulsivity, etc.) | Neuroprotection, regulation of dopamine, and inhibition of cholinesterase | Safe and well tolerated Mild gastrointestinal side effects |
|
| Uebel-von Sandersleben et al. [24] | Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo (EGb 761®), 240 mg daily, given for 3 to 5 weeks | Open clinical pilot study | 20 children with ADHD | Improvement of ADHD core symptoms | Improvement in cerebrovascular blood flow, reversal of 5-HT1, and noradrenergic receptor reductions
Reverse inhibition of MAO-A and MAO-B | Very low rates of mild adverse events during observational period |
| Salehi et al. [25] | Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba (80–120 mg/day) or methylphenidate (20–30 mg/day), for 6 weeks | Randomized, double-blind controlled trial | 50 children, 6–14 years old with ADHD ( Ginkgo biloba versus methylphenidate) | Improvement of ADHD symptoms. Less effective than methylphenidate | Lesser side effects (headache, insomnia, and loss of appetite) than methylphenidate |
|
| Lee et al. [26] | Ginseng
Korean red ginseng (1,000 mg b.i.d.) and placebo twice a day for 8 weeks | Observational study | 18 children, 6–14 years old with ADHD | Improvement in attention | Nootropic effect on CNS
Increased dopamine and norepinephrine levels
Neuroprotective effects | Taste aversion and repulsion to ginseng |
| Ko et al. [27] | Ginseng
Korean red ginseng extract (1 g KRG extract/pouch) twice a day for 8 weeks | Randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled trial | 70 children, 6–15 years old with ADHD ( KRG versus placebo) | Improvement of hyperactivity and inattention symptoms
Decreased quantitative electroencephalography theta/beta ratio | No reported adverse events/side effects |
|
| Li et al. [28] | Ningdong
Ningdong (5 mg/kg/day) versus methylphenidate (1 mg/kg/day), for 8 weeks | Randomized, double-blind, methylphenidate-controlled trial | 72 children, 6–13 years old with ADHD ( Ningdong versus methylphenidate) | Similar efficacy to control (methylphenidate) | Regulation of dopamine by increasing HVA concentration in the sera | Hypersomnia |
|
| Akhondzadeh et al. [29] | Passion flower
Passiflora incarnata | Double-blind, randomized, methylphenidate-controlled clinical trial | 34 children with ADHD | Improvement of ADHD symptoms | Not specified | Decreased appetite and anxiety/nervousness compared with methylphenidate group |
|
| Trebatická et al. [30] | Pycnogenol
Pycnogenol (1 mg/kg/day) or placebo treatment for 4 weeks | Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study | 61 children, 6–14 years old with ADHD ( Pycnogenol, versus placebo) | Attenuation of hyperactivity and improvement of attention, visual-motoric coordination, and concentration | Influence on catecholamine formation or metabolism
Increased production of nitric oxide which modulates dopamine and norepinephrine release and intake | Mild side effects including slowness and gastric discomfort |
|
| Chovanová et al. [31] | Pycnogenol
Pycnogenol (1 mg/kg/day) or placebo treatment for 4 weeks | Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study | 61 outpatient children, 6–14 years old with ADHD ( = unspecified Pycnogenol versus placebo) | Improved attention, reduction in oxidative damage | Antioxidant properties | No reported adverse events/side effects |
|
| Weber et al. [32] | St. John’s wort | Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study | 56 children, 6–17 years old with ADHD ( SJW versus placebo) | No significant improvement in ADHD symptoms | | No reported adverse events/side effects |
|
| Razlog et al. [33] | Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) | Double-blind, placebo- controlled, clinical trial | 30 children, 5–11 years old with ADHD (Valeriana officinalis mother tincture (VOMT) or 3x potency of VOMT versus placebo, for 3 weeks) | Improvement of ADHD symptoms in VOMT or 3x potency group, in comparison to placebo, in particular, inattention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity | Inhibition of the breakdown of GABA in the central nervous system | No reported adverse events/side effects |
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