A plant extract taken from the French maritime pine tree has been found to reduce the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children.
Researchers at the University of Munster in Germany found that the antioxidant Pycnogenol, which is found in the tree's bark, helps to balance stress hormones, lowering the levels of adrenaline and dopamine.
Publishing their findings in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience, the researchers revealed that they sampled 57 ADHD patients, 41 of whom were given Pycnogenol and 16 of whom received a placebo.
Urine samples revealed that Pycnogenol lowers adrenaline by 26.2 per cent and dopamine by 10.8 per cent.
One month after treatment stopped, the levels of stress hormones had increased again and ADHD symptoms had recurred.
Study author Dr Peter Rohdewald, a researcher in the university's Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, said: "The findings of this study demonstrate a significant stress hormone lowering effect for a nutritional supplement for the first time.
"Pycnogenol's ability to naturally treat symptoms of ADHD is what makes this extract exceptionally pleasing to parents who may be uneasy about medicating their children with stimulant medications."
A plant extract taken from the French maritime pine tree has been found to reduce the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children.
