Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Why it works: There is preclinical (animal) evidence and small/single-centre clinical observations that Jing-Ning Granules (静宁颗粒 / JNG) can reduce core ADHD symptoms and modulate dopamine-re...

Instructions: Typical course length used in clinical work — Published clinical observations and theses commonly report treatment courses of 4–8 weeks, with outcome assessments at baseline, 4 wee...

Warnings: Limited high-quality human RCT evidence — most human evidence for JNG is from small, sometimes nonra...

Studies: Preclinical mechanistic + behavioral study (rats) — “Jing-Ni...

Why it works: An Shén Dìng Zhì Líng (commonly written An Shen Dingzhi Ling / ASDZL / ADL) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound formula used in China to treat ADHD-like symptoms. Prec...

Instructions: There are three kinds of “instructions” in the literature: (A) how researchers prepare/use ASDZL in studies, (B) historical/classical recipe forms, (C) modern proprietary product d...

Warnings: Herb-specific toxicity — Acorus calamus (shi chang pu) and β-asarone:. • Acorus calamus (one ingredi...

Studies: Song Y. et al., 2021 — Frontiers in Pharmacology (open acces...

Why it works: Yizhi Ningshen Granules (益智宁神颗粒 / related “宁神” granule formulas) are a traditional-Chinese-medicine (TCM) herbal granule used in China to treat “heart/mind agitation” (安神...

Instructions: Formulation & administration form: herbal granules — usually supplied in single-dose sachets. Granules are dissolved in warm (not boiling) water and drunk. (General guide to taking...

Warnings: Main safety theme: herbal granules are not automatically safe just because they are “natural.” Risks...

Studies: a. Systematic / review of TCM in ADHD (animal & trial ev...

Why it works: There is promising preclinical (animal + mechanistic) evidence that Rehmanniae Radix Preparata (Shu Di Huang, the prepared/cooked root of Rehmannia glutinosa) — largely via its pri...

Instructions: Important framing: Shu Di Huang is almost always used inside multi-herb TCM formulas rather than alone. TCM prescribers tailor herbs and dosages to the patient’s TCM diagnosis (e.g...

Warnings: Pregnancy & breastfeeding: safety is not well established. Most resources recommend avoiding Rehmann...

Studies: Preclinical (animal + mechanistic) evidence (strongest body...

Why it works: Chinese patent (herbal) medicine (liquid) whose listed ingredients include rehmannia (熟地黄), dioscorea/yam (山药), poria (茯苓), moutan/peony bark (牡丹皮), polygala/遠志 (远志),...

Instructions: Typical product information / label (manufacturer / drug insert): Jingling Oral Liquid is supplied as 10 mL glass bottles. Standard recommended dosing printed on product informatio...

Warnings: Adverse reactions: Product labels and mainstream Chinese drug information sites typically report no...

Studies: Multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial...

Why it works: Active compounds: Bacopa contains bacosides (A & B) and other saponins and flavonoids that affect neurotransmission and protect neurons. These compounds are thought to modulate cho...

Instructions: Form & standardization. • Most clinical trials use standardized Bacopa extracts (examples: Bacognize®, CDRI 08®), not raw leaf tea. Standardized extracts specify bacoside content a...

Warnings: Common side effects. • Gastrointestinal: nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, increased bowel movements...

Studies: Randomized, double-blind RCT — CDRI 08 extract (attention &a...

Why it works: Rhodiola is an adaptogen that affects stress systems and several neurotransmitters (norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin) and has antioxidant / HPA-axis modulating effects. Those ac...

Instructions: Below are the commonly used formulations/doses and practical points seen in clinical trials and monographs — these are what the published work used, not formal medical prescription...

Warnings: Main safety/warnings. • Side effects reported: dizziness, dry mouth or excessive salivation, headach...

Studies: What’s well supportedRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) sho...

Why it works: There is some clinical and preclinical evidence that Panax ginseng (Korean/Asian ginseng) and related Panax species (including American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius) can improve so...

Instructions: Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) — one observational/clinical study in children aged 6–14 used 1,000 mg twice daily (i.e., 2,000 mg/day total) for 8 weeks and reported improvemen...

Warnings: Ginseng is generally well tolerated in short trials, but there are important warnings and potential...

Studies: Systematic review (Journal of Ginseng Research, 2024) — rece...

Why it works: Several biological actions of Pycnogenol are proposed to explain why it might improve ADHD symptoms:. • Powerful antioxidant activity / lowers oxidative stress. ADHD has been linke...

Instructions: Clinical-trial dosing (what’s actually been tested):. • Pediatric trials (most frequently cited): 1 mg per kg body weight per day (given once daily) was used in the randomized tria...

Warnings: Common adverse effects reported: generally well tolerated in short trials. Reported side effects are...

Studies: Key randomized clinical trialsTrebatická J. et al., 2006 — “...