|
SAGE: MOST OFTEN CITED
Native Americans, have used all varieties of sage, for thousands of years. Sage is often referred to in ancient texts - in 1597 the herbalist John Gerard said that it was "singularly good for the head and quickeneth the nerves and memory." There are some Anglos, who specify red sage, Latin name, salvia officinalis. Red sage may promote alertness, memory, and the ability to concentrate, cognition capabilities, including memory. The Medicinal Plant Research Centre in England recently discovered that some salvia extracts mimicked the biochemical activity similar to that of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This suggests that salvia officinalis may support acetylcholine levels in the brain, assisting alertness, memory, and concentration! GINKO BILOBAGinkgo biloba may help improve memory, poddinblydue to antioxidant properties radicals. Additionally, modest doses of ginkgo biloba may actually help protect the brain from stroke damage. Interestingly, large doses of ginkgo, as found in single-herb supplements, did not have a similar effect. A study in the English Journal Clinical Hemorhealogy suggests that over when taken for at least three months, ginkgo encouraged increased blood vessel flexibility, which is important for long-term mental functionality and overall cognitive health. GOTA KOLAGotu kola may improve microcirculation, which is important for healthy cognitive functioning. Take back your mind with these memory enhancing herbs! THYMEThyme supports normal brain functioning! The British Journal of Nutrition just reported that supplementation with thyme extract had a significant positive effect upon brain levels of the fatty acid DHA, important for normal brain functioning. It was also determined that the antioxidant thyme improved antioxidant activity in the brain. Following thyme supplementation, older study participants had significantly higher proportions of several of the neurofunctional phospholipids needed for normal brain function than did the younger participants. ROSEMARYRosemary is a bushy evergreen shrub, native to the Mediterranean basin and Portugal, now cultivated in France, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, South Africa, India, China, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and along the Crimean peninsula in Transcaucasia (Leung and Foster, 1996). The material of commerce comes from Spain, France, Morocco, and Tunisia (BHP, 1996; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994). The modern approved indications for its use in Chinese, European and Indian medicines, as well as general unofficial use in dietary supplements in the United States, derive from traditional Greek medicine. Rosemary has been used in Europe since ancient times as a tonic, stimulant, and carminative to treat dyspepsia, headaches, and nervous tension (Leung and Foster, 1996). The ancient Greeks also used it to strengthen memory function; scholars wore garlands of rosemary during examinations in order to improve memory and concentration (Bown, 1995; Grieve, 1979). In China, rosemary preparations have been used for centuries for the same purposes as in traditional Greek medicine, especially to treat headaches (Leung and Foster, 1996). In India, rosemary leaf is used as a component in Ayurvedic and Unani medicines for flatulent dyspepsia associated with psychogenic tension and migraine headaches (Karnick, 1994; Nadkarni, 1976). In Germany, rosemary leaf is licensed as a standard medicinal tea for internal and external use. Rosemary is taken internally as a carminative or stomachic component of gastrointestinal medicines in aqueous infusions, alcoholic fluidextracts, tinctures, and medicinal wine. The aqueous infusion and essential oil are also used in external preparations (e.g., bath additive, embrocation, liniment, ointment), for rheumatic diseases, and circulatory problems (Leung and Foster, 1996; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994). In the United States, rosemary is a component of dietary supplement products, in aqueous infusion, alcoholic fluidextract, and tincture dosage forms. In both the United States and Germany, the leaf is used in balneotherapy and the essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Rosemary leaf was formerly official in the United States Pharmacopeia from 1820 until 1950 (Boyle, 1991). The approved modern therapeutic applications for rosemary leaf are supportable based on its long history of use in well established systems of traditional medicine, in vivo and in vitro pharmacological studies in animals, and on well documented phytochemical investigations. Pharmacopeial grade rosemary leaf must contain not less than 1.2% volatile oil, not more than 10% brown woody stems, and not less than 15% water-soluble extractive, among other quantitative standards. Botanical identification requirements are carried out by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) as well as by examination of macroscopic and microscopic characteristics (BHP, 1996; DAC, 1986; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994). The Commission E monograph also requires not less than 1.2% (v/w) volatile oil. The French Pharmacopoeia requires not less than 1.5% (v/m) volatile oil (Bruneton, 1995; Ph.Fr.X., 1990). The ESCOP monograph requires that the material must conform with the French Pharmacopoeia standards (ESCOP, 1997). The German Pharmacopoeia also includes a TLC identity test for the volatile oil fraction (DAB 10, 1991; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994).
From: http://www.herbalgram.org/iherb/expandedcommissione/he084.asp
OTHER HERBS Traditional Chinese medicine provides a rich source of plants used to improve memory, such as the famous ginkgo tree, and certain species of angelica, biota, codonopsis, hippocampus, coptis, crocus, fo-ti and magnolia all have been used over the centuries to enhance memory, but whether they have potential in the treatment of Alzheimer's is an open question. Some say ginseng improves memory, and will help with prolonged mental activities, and combines well with other herbs, such as angelica, and pantochrin. Soya sauce contains compounds called isoflavones that have been shown to improve memory. Melissa officinalis, known as balm, has been used in Europe to restore memory and, in Germany, is used to treat insomnia. Native Americans ahve used bitterroot also.
The addition of lavender and mint to our diet increases the diversity of compounds that have different forms of antioxidants and heath-promoting actions.
GARLIC Allium sativum Marigold: improves memory, and bring peace of mind. An inexpensive source for raw herbs is: http://www.sfherb.com MEDITATIONStudies have shown that vibrations from rhythmic sounds have a profound effect on brain activity. In shamanic traditions, drums were used in periodic rhythm to transport the shaman into other realms of reality. The vibrations from this constant rhythm affected the brain in a very specific manner, allowing the shaman to achieve an altered state of mind and journey out of his or her body . Brain pattern studies conducted by researcher Melinda Maxfield into the (SSC) Shamanic State of Consciousness found that the steady rhythmic beat of the drum struck four and one half times per second was the key to transporting a shaman into the deepest part of his shamanic state of consciousness. It is no coincidence that 4.5 beats, or cycles per second corresponds to the trance like state of theta brain wave activity. In direct correlation, we see similar effects brought on by the constant and rhythmic drone of Tibetan Buddhist chants, which transport the monks and even other listeners into realms of blissful meditation. Sage and sweetgrass have been used as an incence and offering, by Native Americans to promote positve energy. Tobacco used likewise, has been used to dispel negative energy. Myryh has been used as an inicence, to dispel negative energy, by Anglos.
JEWELRY
Nine Ways to Aid Your Memory
|