Boost your brain power: herbs to improve your memory and mental acuity - The Herbalist

Vegetarian Times, March, 1996 by Kathi Keville

I SPEND MUCH of my time writing, which demands a lot of concentration. Often, while straining to recall some elusive fact, I reach over to pinch a leaf of the rosemary plant that sits next to my computer; I find that just a sniff usually is enough to bring back the information. Some might think this is downright odd, but it actually carries the weight of historical precedent. Many years ago, I learned that renowned 17th century herbalist Nicholas Culpeper suggested rubbing rosemary leaves on the temples or brewing them into a tea to "help a weak memory and quicken the senses." I tried it and have been a devoted fan of this brain-enhancing herb ever since.

Rosemary isn't the only herb with a long-held reputation for improving your smarts. For example, the Pents'ao, an ancient Chinese compendium of herbal lore, recommended ginseng for "benefitting the understanding," and in India, the herb gotu kola is a traditional brain tonic so highly regarded that it's called brahmi, or "of the highest order."

The ability of herbs to improve mental capacity isn't just folk wisdom; modern clinical studies have found that the "four Gs"--gingko, Panax ginseng (which includes Korean, Chinese and American ginsengs), Siberian ginseng and gotu kola--can indeed enhance concentration, aptitude, alertness and even intelligence. Scientists haven't discovered all the ways herbs increase brain power, but we do know that ginkgo, Panax ginseng and Siberian ginseng increase the activity of some of the brain's neurotransmitters, chemicals that transmit messages from one nerve cell to another. Some herbs--such as rosemary--work their magic through their fragrance alone, while other herbs are most effective when ingested as a tincture, tea or capsule. One advantage that all these herbs have over our culture's favorite stimulant--caffeine--is that they don't overstimulate the adrenal glands and thus don't create the adrenaline rush that can lead to the jitters. In fact, both Panax ginseng and Siberian ginseng are known as herbs that can stabilize the adrenals.

HERBS FOR EATING OR DRINKING

ONE OF MY FAVORITE WAYS to take brain herbs is to combine them in a tincture, a potent liquid extract; I often take it during long hours of lecturing to herb students. One evening I noticed my students were beginning to droop, so I passed my tincture around the class. Maybe it was just a placebo effect, but they perked up in only 15 minutes, asking far more questions than usual. Three of these students--one in her 20s, one in her 30s and one in his 40s--were also attending college at the time. After that herb class, they decided to take herbal brain-boosters daily; for their final exams, they also dosed up heavily with

one or two droppersful about an hour beforehand, and half a dropperful every half hour during the test. They reported a big difference in their ability to stay alert, and they didn't feel as drained afterward. Obviously, this wasn't a controlled study--but all three graduated with honors!

We'll get to specific herbs in a moment, but first some general guidelines for using them are in order. The four Gs are all non-toxic, and are most effective if taken on a relatively long-term basis. Most people use them for several weeks, but you can safely take them for several months. (You could take these herbs for years without side effects, but I don't recommend it. If your need for these herbs is that great, you may need to investigate whether you have other health problems.) You can use any of the herbs individually, but I and most other herbalists have found they are most potent if taken in combination.

The following dosages apply to both single herbs and two or more of the herbs combined in equal parts; these amounts should be enough to produce the effects described later in various studies. For tinctures, take 30 drops (about half a dropperful) two to four times daily. The amount of herb in a capsule or tablet varies from brand to brand, so follow the directions on the label. For a tea, you can purchase the herbs either already packaged in tea bags or loose in whatever amount you choose. For loose herbs, place herb in a cup or glass jar; pour in a cup of boiling water per teaspoon of herb and cover. Let it steep for 15 minutes or so, then strain and enjoy. If you're facing an especially grueling situation--such as an exam or a job interview--you can safely double the dose that day; be sure to take one of those double doses about an hour beforehand.

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) has won widespread recognition as a brain tonic that seems to be particularly useful for decreased mental capacity due to a physical disability or advancing years. The brain requires one-fifth of the total oxygen carried in the blood to function optimally, and if it doesn't get this amount, cognitive abilities decline. The primary reason mental processes decrease as people age is atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, which slows the flow of blood, and thus oxygen, to the brain. Research has found that gingko increases the ability of the brain to use available oxygen, and it also directly stimulates the area of the brain responsible for memory (Pharmakotherapie, 1978, 1:137-144). Evidently, many people appreciate these effects of ginkgo, because according to the Herb Research Foundation in Boulder, Colo., it's one of top-selling herbs in the United States.