Parenting a child with ADHD can feel overwhelming. Between the school emails, behavioural challenges, emotional outbursts, and constant worry about whether you're doing enough, it's easy to feel exhausted and uncertain.
If you're looking for natural ways to support your child, you're not alone. More families are discovering that a holistic approach to ADHD can make a profound difference in their child's wellbeing, behaviour, and ability to thrive in daily life.
At Nourishing Apothecary, we know ADHD affects your whole child; their mood, their sleep, their confidence, and their overall wellbeing. Our approach looks beyond symptoms to understand what's happening in your child's body, working with natural solutions that address underlying imbalances.
Understanding ADHD holistically
ADHD in children affects how your child's brain processes information, regulates attention, and manages impulses. While conventional treatment often focuses solely on symptom management, a holistic approach recognises that nutrition, gut health, sleep quality, environmental factors, and emotional wellbeing all influence ADHD symptoms.
This doesn't mean ADHD isn't real or that it's just about diet and lifestyle. Rather, by addressing these foundational aspects of health, we can often reduce symptom severity and help your child feel more balanced and capable.
Natural strategies to support your child with ADHD
Nutrition: fuelling the ADHD brain
What your child eats directly impacts their brain function, mood, and behaviour. Many children with ADHD have nutritional deficiencies or food sensitivities that worsen symptoms.
Where to start with nutrition:
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Protein at every meal: as it stabilises blood sugar and provides building blocks for neurotransmitters. Include eggs, fish, chicken, legumes, or nuts with meals and snacks.
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Omega-3 fatty acids: support brain health and help with focus and behaviour. Include fatty fish like salmon and sardines, or consider a high-quality, children’s fish oil supplement.
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Reduce processed foods: Many children with ADHD are sensitive to artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives. Focus on whole, unprocessed foods.
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Balance blood sugar: Avoid sugary snacks and drinks. Combine complex carbohydrates with protein and healthy fats.
Gut health: the ADHD connection
Research increasingly shows a strong connection between gut health and ADHD symptoms. The gut-brain axis plays a crucial role in mood, behaviour and cognitive function.
Many children with ADHD have underlying gut issues like bacterial imbalance, inflammation, or food sensitivities. When we address these imbalances, parents often report improvements in focus, mood and behaviour.
Supporting gut health naturally:
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Include probiotic-rich foods like natural yoghurt and fermented vegetables
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Consider a targeted probiotic supplement
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Heal the gut lining with bone broth and anti-inflammatory foods
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Identify and address food sensitivities
Mel, our naturopath with expertise in mental health and gut health, has extensive experience supporting neurodivergent children and can guide you through comprehensive gut health assessment.
Sleep: resetting the ADHD brain
Poor sleep exacerbates ADHD symptoms. Children with ADHD often struggle to fall asleep and may not get the restorative sleep their developing brains need.
Helping your child sleep better:
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Establish consistent bedtime routines
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Reduce screen time at least an hour before bed
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Create a calm, dark sleeping environment
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Consider magnesium supplementation for relaxation and sleep quality
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Try calming herbal teas like chamomile in the evening
Managing stress and emotions
Children with ADHD often experience big emotions and struggle with emotional regulation. Teaching stress management techniques and providing emotional support is crucial.
Practical approaches include mindfulness exercises, regular physical activity, time outside and in nature, consistent routines, and positive reinforcement that builds their self-esteem.
Herbal and nutritional support
Natural supplements and herbal medicine can provide targeted support when prescribed by a qualified practitioner.
Research-backed supplements that make a difference:
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Omega-3 fatty acids: Support brain development and function
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Zinc: Often deficient in children with ADHD, crucial for neurotransmitter function
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Magnesium: Supports calm and focus, helps with sleep
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Iron: Deficiency affects cognitive function
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B vitamins: Essential for energy and neurotransmitter synthesis
Our Naturopaths can create a personalised supplement protocol based on your child's specific needs.
A collaborative approach to ADHD care
We believe we can get the best outcomes for your family by working as a team. Natural therapies can work alongside conventional treatments or as a standalone approach – the choice is yours. Mel specialises in ADHD and mental health support, working collaboratively with your child's other healthcare providers.
We take time to understand your child's unique presentation, health history, and family circumstances. Through detailed consultations, we identify underlying factors contributing to symptoms and create a realistic treatment plan for your family.
Your child is more than their diagnosis
Living with ADHD doesn't define your child – they're creative, energetic, and capable of amazing things when given the right support. Our goal is to help your child feel comfortable in their own skin, manage their symptoms naturally, and thrive in their own unique way.
If you're ready to explore natural support for your child's ADHD, we're here to help. Book a consultation with our team to discuss your child's needs and discover how holistic ADHD support can make a difference.
Together, we'll create a personalised plan that supports your child's brain health, reduces symptom severity, and helps them feel themselves again, naturally.
