Focus, improved cognition, and better memory are possible with the help of medicinal herbs.
I was diagnosed with ADHD at 19 years old.
After a lifetime of struggling with school, rejection sensitive dysphoria, impulsivity, and decision paralysis, I decided to reach out to a psychiatrist for help.
As a 19-year-old, I had limited resources. I reached out to a local health center with government subsidized healthcare and a sliding scale. After filling out a small novel's worth of paperwork, I entered a small, dark room, in which I sat across from an eclectic therapist tasked with figuring me out.
As she began asking me questions, it became immediately clear that I was, without a doubt, struggling with attention deficit disorder. She commented that she was surprised that I had made it as long as I had before reaching out for help.
We then began the technical portion of the test, in which I sat in an uncomfortable plastic chair, face illuminated with blue computer light. The walls in the office were dark gray and were peppered with 90s inspirational posters fastened with thumbtacks and Scotch tape. The floor was concrete covered by a thin commercial carpet, with an outdated print.
The test consisted of a series of concentration tests that seemed like they should be a piece of cake. One exercise in particular showed me a yellow triangle, and instructed me to watch a slideshow of quick-moving colorful shapes.
My objective was to hit the space bar each time that familiar yellow triangle appeared. Easy-peasy, right? Turns out, after ten seconds of flashing shapes, I was already planning my next trip to the grocery store, catastrophizing about my personal life, and beating myself up about my complete inability to focus.
The computer test confirmed our suspicions, which lead to an official diagnosis. It was an eye-opening experience -- qualities in myself that I'd always been heavily critical of finally had an explanation.
My treatment plan was far from unique; I was given a prescription for Adderall (a stimulant medication) and sent on my way.
While stimulant medications are a necessary medical intervention for some, they do come with their fare share of risks and side effects.
My reaction to this medication was near immediate -- my focus was razor sharp, but I couldn't sleep, eat, or access my emotions in the same way. I had never been more productive in my life, opening and operating a busy photography business and working as a freelance social media manager(plus, my kitchen had never looked better!).
The feeling of accomplishment was unrivaled, but my soul and spirit were being suffocated by this newfound artificial drive to succeed.
The stark contrast between a near complete failure to a productivity machine in my early 20s made me feel incredibly dependent on my new medicine. It took me a few years to realize that I was losing parts of myself that I valued in exchange for focus. I had lost a significant amount of weight, my hair, nails, and skin were weak, and my relationships were strained because all of my efforts were funneled elsewhere.
I decided that it was time to call it quits.
The process of giving up stimulant medication was intense. I found myself falling behind in all areas of my life -- maybe even more so than before I started. It lead to an intense depression in addition to the physical symptoms.
I spent months suffering. I knew I was making the right decision in the long term, but to say I was feeling discouraged is an understatement.
The slow addition of talk therapy, regular exercise, and changes to my diet eventually brought me some relief. I wasn't where I wanted to be, but slowly, my cognitive function was improving despite my being unmedicated.
After a year of white knuckling my med-free ADHD, I decided to do some more research and look into some natural remedies for attention deficit.
The internet had plenty of suggestions, many of which I had already tried or incorporated.
I tried a few different supplements, like Alpha Brain, cordyceps, and ashwagandha among a handful of other OTC focus supplements. I wasn't noticing anything significant, but I wasn't quite ready to give up.
I stumbled across a local supplement company that was founded by an Amish mother looking to help her young son who was diagnosed with a kidney condition as an infant.
She was told he wouldn't live past two, and worked tirelessly to find an alternative to dialysis and a kidney transplant.
She crafted a kidney support supplement that ended up sparking Mountain Meadow Herbs, and 20 years later they are still producing crazy potent, effective herbal remedies for afflictions that run the gamut.
After reading lots of testimonies, and doing a ton of my own research, I landed on Herbal Focus. It's a liquid herbal tincture with eleuthero root, ginkgo biloba, gotu kola, and bacopa, all of which are backed by significant research. I decided to hold off on coffee until the late morning -- instead, I started my day with a few droppers of my Herbal Focus tincture in a cup of warm herbal tea.
I noticed almost immediately that I was able to sit at my desk and write for hours at a time(something I have never been capable of). I found myself loading the dishwasher after dinner, folding laundry straight out of the dryer, and having enough energy leftover at the end of the day to focus on my fiancé.
Burnout is an incredibly common symptom of inattentive attention deficit disorder, because your mind is buzzing more than it should be. Even on a day you've accomplished literally nothing, your brain has a habit of working itself to absolute exhaustion.
The near immediate reduction in burnout after basic tasks was astounding.
The best part, though, is that I didn't lose my spark. Adderall made me feel dull and robotic - Herbal Focus gave me the ability to concentrate but I was still the one steering the ship. I could more easily find a work-life balance and maintain my relationships for my friends and family.
ADHD isn't all bad. We are creative, driven, and passionate. When we are hyper-focused and interested in something, we do it to the absolute best of our ability. We have fun, we love adventure, we chase dopamine, and we value novelty.
There was an emotional shift when I switched treatments. I realized that my goal never should've been to cure my ADHD, but rather find natural ways to improve my concentration while embracing the strengths that ADHD has gifted me.
Using an herbal formula has given me the opportunity to lean into what makes me special, just with a little more motivation.
I never needed to work 80 hours per week, I just needed to find a way to make it through a normal work week without wanting to pull out my hair. I needed to bring myself to the point I was functional as an adult human being, without suffocating out the things that make me, me.
Not to mention, Herbal Focus is safe for children, and women who are pregnant/nursing. Knowing that I won't have to quit when I decide to start a family brings me so much peace. ADHD is genetic, so if my future children start to exhibit symptoms early on, I have a product in my arsenal that could help prevent them from suffering through school the way I did.
I would recommend this supplement to anyone looking to improve focus, cognitive function, or memory. It helped me find some balance in my formerly chaotic life. I am super grateful for MMH and their dedication to changing lives in a gentle, natural fashion.
The Best Herbs for Focus
Eleuthero root, also known as Siberian ginseng, is an adaptogenic herb that has been used for centuries to improve focus, cognitive function, and overall energy levels. It is believed to work by reducing stress levels and boosting the body's natural ability to adapt to stressors, both physical and mental. Eleuthero root is known to improve mental clarity and cognition.
Ginkgo Biloba is an herb that has been traditionally used to improve cognitive function, including focus and concentration. It is believed to work by increasing blood flow to the brain and enhancing the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and acetylcholine, which are crucial for cognitive function. Ginkgo Biloba has been studied extensively, and research has shown that it may improve attention, memory, and executive function. Additionally, it has been found to have antioxidant properties, which can help protect the brain from damage caused by free radicals.
Gotu Kola is an herb that has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to improve cognitive function and enhance memory. It is believed to work by increasing blood flow to the brain, improving oxygen supply, and promoting the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that plays a crucial role in cognitive function. Gotu Kola has been shown to improve focus, concentration, and mental clarity. Like Ginkgo Biloba, it is high in antioxidants and can aid in the body's fight against free radicals.
Bacopa, also known as Brahmi, is an herb that has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to enhance cognitive function, memory, and focus. It is believed to work by increasing blood flow to the brain and promoting the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and acetylcholine, which are crucial for cognitive function.
Our potent Herbal Focus supplement combines these four active ingredients to create food for your brain. The herbs in this formula support brain health in multiple ways. Healthy circulation and cell support may boost overall brain function.
Whether you're a senior, a student preparing for exams, or someone with a busy day at work, Herbal Focus could be the solution you've been looking for.
Herbal Focus is safe for pregnancy, children, and nursing moms. If you're looking for a more long term solution for your kids, try our Kids Natural Attention Aid. It is crafted by our master herbalist to reduce aggression, as well as improve focus and concentration in children.
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