We live in a society where we have seen the diagnoses for ADHD increase 25% in the last 5 years. That same society has seen trees cut down in parks and places of natural beauty decimated because of fearing litigation from parents who 'might 'sue because their kids 'might' climb those trees and 'might' just fall off them. Trees and bushes 'might' just harbour criminals (45% of whom are thought to have ADHD), who 'might' just pounce on innocent passersby. The irony of this is that kids who are allowed to climb trees show improvement in ADHD symptoms and crime rates are lower in areas of green natural beauty. If being in nature improves ADHD symptoms, does not being in nature cause them? What does all this say about our risk assessments?

Nature can be accessed on many levels. Just being in nature for a child can enhance their well being. Nature Deficit Disorder is now seen as problem for people. Research findings carried out with children with ADHD showed that when the group was split into 2: one group was deprived of time spent in nature and the other group were given a minimum of 1 green hour per day; The observed behaviour deteriorated in those denied outside experiences and was visibly better in those that went out into nature. In all circumstances children given an experience in nature improved their behaviour.

Further studies show that being in nature leads improved immune systems, reduction in stress and depression and improvement in erratic heart rates. Even looking at pictures of nature can induce these benefits.

Nature brings all kind of good benefits. Exercise has long been known to help ADHD symptoms by balancing the brain chemicals. Green exercise, exercising in nature, enhances these benefits. Healthy diets based on home grown produce free from chemicals and pesticides, helps children understand about diet, experiment with different foods and getting exercise in their gardens and allotments in creative school environments.

Of course, natural essences like the Bach Flower remedies are derived flowers and trees and have been shown to give improvements for emotional issues associated with ADHD symptoms. Essences are completely safe with no side effects. Herbs are an alternative to riding the 'Ritalin Roller Coaster' and derived from natural sources not laboratories. Essential oils used in aromatherapy again are concentrated sources of natural healing potential and relieve many ADHD symptoms. As always, seek expert advice before embarking on these courses of treatment.

Nature provides abundantly even in the search for a cure for ADHD!