Natural Remedies for ADHD Teens
As a parent of 2 teenagers with ADHD, we have learned so much over the past 10 or so years about natural remedies that work. Natural remedies for ADHD, like nutrition and supplements have been something we have worked on for years.
Also, if you have a picky eater, scroll to the end for special supplement recommendations that taste yummy.
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Important Points About ADHD Natural Remedies
- Every teenager is different. Unfortunately, there is not one size fits all solution when it comes to finding natural remedies for ADHD. Finding what works may take a bit of trial and error, as it did with us.
- If you can get professional help from an integrative doctor or wholistic nutritionist, it could save you lots of time. These professionals can run tests and figure out if there specific things that are going on with your child. It was not until my boys hit puberty, that I sought the help of a wholistic nutritionist.
- Certain supplements, like magnesium can have the opposite effect on people with certain genetic compositions, like the mthfr gene. Stop taking any supplement, obviously, if your child has an adverse reaction. Genetic tests are fairly easy to get these days as well as simple blood tests run by a functional doctor.
- Find a reputable source for your supplements. Your local drugstore is most likely, not the place to purchase supplements. I mention great brands in this article with reliable links, but also, check your local health food store or Whole Foods for reliable brands.
I am not a physician or certified nutritionist – just an overly zealous mom who has tried so many things to naturally help my sons’ ADHD symptoms. These supplements were what we landed on after trying many other things. These worked for us (and still do at 16 and 18!)
I share them in the hopes that it may help you in your search to find the best natural supplements for your ADHD Teen
Update Summer 2025: My oldest son’s most recent blood work was stellar – except that he had a Candida over growth!!! This has been making him crave sugar even more than usual and his skin has been a wreck! Glad we still get bloodwork done regularly to address any particular issues.
Supplements for ADHD Teens
Garden of Life’s MyKind Organics
(This is an update as of September 2024) My oldest started refusing to take his vitamins last summer and to make a long story short, in therapy, we uncovered that he hates how the vitamins taste. (He took them for a few years without saying anything, but, you know, our kids do love to keep us on our toes!)
So, I searched for a yummy multi to pair with the Barlean’s Fish Oil (the only thing he continued to take this summer because it tastes SO GOOD). I opted for Garden of Life’s MyKind Organics by Alicia Silverstone. They are pretty clean and super delicious.(They do have organic cane sugar in them.)
There have been no arguments about vitamins since we started them, so I’d say it’s a WIN. MyKind Organics has Kids’ Gummies, too.
Barlean’s Fish Oil
We have been hearing about the beneficial effects of fish oil for kids with ADHD for awhile now–especially boys, who’s brains seem to be starving. Some fish oil supplements taste icky or make you burp up a fishy taste-Barleans does not. The flavors are yummy and both my boys take a healthy dose of this every morning.
Some of the flavors have added sweeteners, like xylitol, which are made from corn. While we try to avoid corn in our diet, this small amount does not seem to effect my boys. Just a word of caution if you are avoiding corn completely for an allergy – check the label.
This fish oil, has also had an overall great effect on my boys’ health, too. They are rarely sick and miss school one or two days a year for illness.
Omega 3’s for Brain Support
If your kids can take BIG pills, I highly recommend Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega. It’s got the highest amount of Omega 3’s I have found and it leaves no fishy after taste. They are expensive, so look for a sale at Whole Foods – they are often 25% off there.
You can also subscribe and save through Amazon and save about $14.00 a bottle.
GLX3 is a newish product from Hakalife. This brand has fewer Omega 3’s, but the pills are teeny and so easy to swallow. My son spent 3 months in New Zealand after high school and sea kayaked by where they are grown. The company has impeccable standards. Worth a look!!!
The BEST natural “remedy” is a Good Night’s rest
Okay, I will get to more supplements in a second. But, first, I have to share that one of the best things to help my son’s ADHD was – and still is, 7 years later – being proactive about getting a good night’s sleep. A lot of ADHD kids have trouble settling into sleep, and staying asleep. My oldest was one of them.
We started getting very proactive about getting a routine in place, turning off screens, plus many other things you can see in this POST. But, our best purchase, hands down, was a weighted blanket.
Just Thrive Probiotics
My oldest (18) is currently taking Just Thrive Probiotics – my kids are older and can mostly take capsules now. (Although, these can be opened up and mixed into just about anything – even baked into our oatmeal casserole and cowboy cookies.)
I learned all about the Just Thrive brand on The Wellness Mama podcast and was sold on them very quickly. Turns out, a lot of the good bacteria in killed in the stomach by the digestive acids. Makes sense, right?
So Just Thrive’s Probiotics are spore based, which means they can survive in the stomach. In fact, the survivability rate of this product is INCREDIBLE. The probiotic strands have 1000x higher rate of survival than greek yogurt! Wow.
Supplements to Help With Sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep can be difficult for teens with ADHD. The transition to sleep can take a long time and frustrate the entire family. These supplements will help calm your ADHD kiddo’s body and make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
KidsCalm Gummies
KidsCalm Gummies are just about the easiest supplement to give to kids. The active ingredient in Magnesium Citrate which can calm and also cause diarrhea, in some kids, if too much is taken. My kids have taken these for years without any problems and only calming side effect.
Start slow and build up, if you think this might be an issue for your kiddo. But these are one of the most popular brands for a reason – they work! Watch Whole Foods, as they regularly put this brand on sale !
Jarrow MagMind Magnesium
I can not sing the praises enough for MagMind by Jarrow for my oldest son with ADHD. (He used to take one of these in the morning to help keep him calm enough until his ADHD meds kick in for school. It takes about 20 minutes to see the effects, so I made sure he got one on rising.)
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in our body, needed for over 300 metabolic reactions.
Now, as a teen, I now give him two MagMind capsules about 30 minutes before bedtime. I see a noticeable difference in his ability to settle and fall asleep much faster. The MagMind, combined with our weighted blanket makes our evenings so much easier – and he rises in a much better place!
I take MagMind myself, before bed, and it has an incredible effect on my ability to have a really good night’s sleep. Seems that most of the population is suffering from a deficiency of this very important mineral. This one is great for the whole family.
Magnesium L-Threonate is shown to be the form of magnesium that crosses the blood brain barrier the easiest, making it super effective for brain function.
Magnesium Flakes
If your kiddo loves to take a bath, then soaking in a magnesium bath may be a great thing! These high-quality flakes dissolve easily in the bath so your body can absorb the calming mineral through the skin.
Pair read-aloud with a bath to make them stay in longer or get a few fabulous bath toys, like this one or this one.
Magnesium Lotion
When my kids were little and I had first learned the positive effect magnesium can have on their sleep, I rubbed magnesium on the bottoms of their feet. It was a nice part of our night time routine and helped them get better sleep. Try this lotion or this oil.
Where should I begin ? these are costly!!
I would prioritize sleep, first. Consider a good magnesium supplement and focus on lots of exercise.
I’d also include a fish oil supplement, like the Barleans and a good probiotic, like JustThrive.
A Sneaky Boost of Nutrition and Protein!
My kids are getting pickier the older they get, especially in the protein department. Our nutritionist suggested using Sun Warrior Protein Powder to give them the protein boost they need.
This turns just about anything into a protein packed meal. We add it to oatmeal, smoothies, baked goods, and energy balls to give my kids the sustained fuel they need.
Best part, its not filled with fake stuff and chemicals or alcohol sugars. And – it tastes great!
Great Lakes Gelatin is another source of protein and because it’s tasteless, I can add it to anything! It’s so great for my carb loving kiddo who hates meat! I add it to smoothies, oatmeal, soups, baked goods and OJ.
It’s great for hair, skin and nails, so I add it to my coffee, too.
Natural remedies have noticeable results, but not a miracle
These supplements are meant to be used as part of an overall nutrition plan and they are not miracle pills. Both of my sons still have struggles with their emotions from time to time.
BUT, I have seen a huge difference with these supplements. The calm times far outweigh the crazy ones. These supplements can be a great compliment to ADHD meds, too.
I am not a doctor, but I am a mother who has learned from experience and a lot of trial and error. Every ADHD kid is different in what works for them, but these supplements stand to benefit ANY kid. Their quality is outstanding.
Other Ways to Parent ADHD Naturally
This ADHD parenting journey can be really difficult and I often find myself standing in front of one of my kids not knowing how to react to something they have just done or said.
My whole outlook and approach to parenting has done a 180 degree turn over the years. Gone are the time outs and sticker charts. Empathy, understanding, and working together to solve problems are what’s in.
Working collaboratively with my kids is what works the best for us. I have an entire post about it here.
this book, has probably saved my life.
Not only has it turned my parenting ideas on their heads, it has given me the tools to work with my son to get underneath the behaviors and solve what it really going on.
If you only read one parenting book, let it be THIS ONE.
Please let me know how these supplements work for you, if you give them a try!
