What is the current state of research on the application of Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of ADHD?

 

Some research studies show a positive effect of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) on the core symptoms of ADHD.

Unfortunately, the studies are very heterogeneous in the choice of the respective herbal formulas. This needs to be considered in the context of Chinese herbal medicine according to which, despite the same 'diagnosis of disorder' (in the present context ADHD), the particularly applied herbal formula is always associated to the individual symptoms of a patient.

Particularly worth mentioning is a high-quality study by the colleagues around M. Katz (cf. Katz et al., 2010), who carried out an elaborate study on the topic and developed a placebo that smells and tastes synonymous with the Chinese herbal formulation.

This study met high methodological criteria and found an equivalent effect of the Chinese herbal formulation compared to Ritalin, with better long term results of CHM after discontinuation of therapy, compared to Ritalin/methylphenidate.

 

Similar to above-mentioned explanations regarding the effectiveness of acupuncture, the 'ice sheet'-analogy also applies here: The scientific 'ice sheet' is partially sustainable, but must harden further.

Although more studies applying a robust design are needed, prediction can be considered positively confident and promising.