I have a condition called "ataxia". This causes problems with the balance. There are 6 children in my family, 5 of us have this problem. Are there any herbs that could possible help this condition?
Ataxia is a nervous system disease causing incoordination.
Thomas Bartram, in his book "Bartram's Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine" (available at Richters), suggests for symptomatic relief, a tea of equal parts of mistletoe, skullcap and valerian, one heaped teaspoon to each cup of water, simmered one minute and then steeped for 15 minutes; half to one cup, three times daily. He also includes the herbs saw palmetto, ginkgo and ginseng, in the form of tablets, tinctures or capsules, for symptomatic relief.
I recommend that you look at Dr. Andrew Weil's website for his article on ataxia:
www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA326584. He suggests fish oils, T'ai chi and the Feldenkrais Method as natural aids for ataxia.