Complimentary and alternative medicine (shortly CAM) is a tricky method of treatment applied by Canadian pharmacists with extreme caution. CAM can be classified as a collection of different health methods and diagnostic tests. CAM includes such methods as herbal supplements, remedies, Chinese Medicine, vitamins, massage treatment, homeopathy, chiropractic and even yoga techniques.
CAM methods are diverse and are under the radar of most Canadian healthcare specialists. For example, the most comprehensible CAM treatments that causes perception from professional medics are homeopathy and St. John’s Wort. That was a recent unpleasant incident – 3 efficient ADHD remedies that are offered by most homeopathic drugstores turned out to be ADHD pills like St. John’s Wort, SAMe and Valerian. The effectiveness of these remedies is another thing, though Canadian mass media insist that they are safer for kids and adults than any chemical-based medications. Let’s take a closer look at the most popular CAM methods for ADHD and depression used in Canadian pharmacies online and offline.
St. John’s wort (SJW) for depression
St. John’s wort is a widespread plant in Canada and the United States of America. It grows up to 60 cm in height in dry or sunny places. St. John’s Wort contains hypericin and other substances from the group of anthraquinone derivatives. CAM experts prescribe St. John’s Wort is to facilitate wound healing and to treat mouth inflammation (stomatitis, gingivitis). Recently, the effectiveness of extracts for the treatment of depression and other mental illnesses has been studied. The studies also examined the effectiveness of hypericin for the treatment of bacterial and viral diseases.
The main CAM indication of St. John’s Wort is mild or moderate depressive disorder. The scientific review of 1996 included 19 studies during which 726 people took extracts of hypericum. 8 of 19 studies were compared with other drugs. The extract was applied in a daily dose of 3 times 300 mg per day, which corresponds to 2700 mcg of hypericin.
105 patients with moderate depression were treated with either 600 mg of extract or placebo in a four-week study. The degree of depression was determined using the Hamilton scale. The subjects of both groups had an average of about 16 on the Hamilton scale, which corresponds to moderate depression. After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, a statistically significant antidepressant effect was observed. Sleep disturbances, depressed mood and anxiety decreased when taking the extract compared with placebo.
Similar results were obtained in another comparative study involving 72 people. During the first four weeks of treatment, improvements were observed in all patients (including the placebo group). St. John’s Wort, however, proved to be statistically significantly more effective according to four different psychometric scales.
Homeopathy for ADHD
The action of homeopathic medicines is determined by the fact that if ordinary medications are involved in metabolic processes, then homeopathy “controls” the body through immunity, therefore, its action is much deeper and more powerful. All this determined the interest of people in the independent use of homeopathic medicines.
The studies of German homeopaths have identified a group of drugs that most significantly help (and therefore most used) in the treatment of children with ADHD: lycopodium, calcareous carbonium, calcareous phosphoricum, sulfure, belladonna, causticum, phosphorus, ignition, nukes, magnesia mouse.
Homeopathic remedies are usually administered by CAM users for ADHD. In a typical picture with anxiety, lack of concentration and nervous tics, Agaricus is the drug of choice. However, this remedy cannot be used if the child is concerned and has a strong desire for sweets. Here, Argentum nitricum helps much better, as it is adapted to a specific problem.
Phosphorus is given when the child is distracted very quickly and, therefore, has difficulty with the task or activity. If the child is constantly under pressure to move, then the Tarantula helps. Not always focused only movement or concentration. Rather, an ADHD baby may also become aggressive, which aggravates the problem. In this case, you should use Stramonium, which has been sold for some time under the title Datura Stramonium.
Many children become members of the family and do not tolerate contradictions. In this case, Nux vomicum is used. However, if a child becomes angry when he cannot assert his views, then Phosphoricum Acidum is the drug of choice. However, not every child shows excessive reactions in this direction.
Many children also suffer from fast becoming insecure and believe that they are doing everything wrong. If the child is preoccupied and forgetful, the use of potassium phosphoricum in the foreground. However, if the child is nervous, has hypersensitive and has mood swings, Valerian officinalis should be used.
SAMe for ADHD and depression
S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is a natural aminoacid and there is a clinically proven evidence that SAMe is effective as an anti-depressant. Since the mid-1980s it has already been sold in some European countries for depression of therapy and other diseases like osteoarthritis (a disease that causes joint pain and stiffness), fibromyalgia (pain and stiffness of the muscles), diseases of a liver and “aura” migraines. However, in the UK and Canada, SAMe is not legally confirmed for depression therapy, and in the USA this remedy is referred to the class of nutritional supplements.
However, as you understand, adding SAMe has a very wide range of actions. Here are the main advantages that you can get from this CAM remedy sold in Canadian pharmacies:
- Treatment of bones and joints (various arthritis and arthrosis);
- Heals the liver and eliminates bile stasis;
- Increases testosterone levels;
- Reduces the level of bad cholesterol (fatty foods and steroids raise it if that);
- Improves nerve conduction and brain function;
- Antidepressant action (by increasing the production of the necessary neurotransmitters);
- Toning and stimulating effects;
CAM methods can be used for the treatment of ADHD and depression in adults/children. But only after the approval of a family therapist, because CAM therapy remedies can cause allergy.
Thus, we have reviewed the pharmaceutical products for the condition available at online drugstores and city pharmacies in Canada. To learn more about the drugs, you can read the materials here: Drugs.com or Rxlist.com Alternatively, you can consult your physician regarding the use of drugs from the list above. To buy drugs online, here is a list of verified online and regular pharmacies:
Online Canadian pharmacies where you can find natural meds:
Regular Canadian pharmacies: