DETROIT (WWJ) - Could a spice help treat kids with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder?
According to a new study from Tehran University, saffron may be as effective as the drug Ritalin (methylphenidate) in treating ADHD in kids 6- to 17-years-old. Researchers compared saffron to Ritalin in 54 patients over a 6-week period and saw no difference in effectiveness.
It's not a surprise to Dr. Haley Armstrong, a naturopathic physician with Beaumont Integrative Medicine, who says saffron harbors many health benefits.
"I would definitely consider it because it's really helpful for mood support. It has a pretty good safety profile," Armstrong said. "And so that with diet changes and lifestyle changes can also help with symptoms of ADHD."
In addition to a powder, saffron comes as a tea and in capsule form.
Armstrong notes that you should check with your doctor before trying saffron for ADHD.