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

Vegetarian Times, March, 1996 by Kathi Keville

Besides enhancing mental acuity, aroma can also improve memory. Trygg Engen, Ph.D., a Brown University professor of psychology and author of Perception of Odor (Academic Press, 1982), has found that the ability to recall events at least doubles when the event is associated with a smell instead of a visual memory. Think about your own life--what fragrances send you down memory lane? When I smell roses I am instantly a little girl again, sniffing my grandmother's potpourri jar. The scent of lavender just as quickly reminds me of her scented sheets.

Increasing your retention of information with the aid of scent is easy. Tuck a fragrant herb into your notebook when you write down important information, or dab a drop of essential oil on your calendar when making a date you don't want to forget. You'll be amazed how quickly smelling that aroma again will trigger your memory.

You can easily create your own brain stimulating massage and body oil; rub some on or even just take a sniff when you need a lift. To make, add 20 drops lemon essential oil and 5 drops rosemary essential oil to 4 ounces sweet almond oil or other light vegetable oil, such as apricot kernel or grapeseed. To perk it up even more, add I drop peppermint essential oil. You can also make a brain-boosting tea with half a teaspoon each of dried or fresh rosemary and peppermint leaves by following the instructions for the four Gs.

As you explore the use of brain boosting herbs, keep in mind that stress, anxiety and lack of sleep all can contribute to memory problems at any age. If any of these are an issue for you, the herbs in this article may help temporarily, but for lasting improvement you should address the source of the problem. Just be sure to do it soon--before you forget.

KATHI KEVILLE is the author of three herb books, president of the American Herb Association and editor of the AMERICAN HERB ASSOCIATION QUARTERLY.