The brain is an integral part of our life because it controls everything that we do. Without the brain, our whole body won’t function well. That’s why it’s important to take good care of our brain. Aside from having enough sleep, exercise, and eating food that contains ingredients that are good for our brain, there are also natural herbs and plants that can help us boost our brainpower. These natural herbs and plants act as fuel to the brain.
Periwinkle
Periwinkle or vinca is known to have antibacterial, anti-cancer, sedative, and antispasmodic effects but little do we know that it can also help us improve our concentration and memory. It contains more than 400 active alkaloids which elevate the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin.
The seeds and leaves of periwinkle contain vicamine, a compound that improves the supply of blood to the brain that increases the glucose and oxygen available for the brain to perform well. Vincristine is another ingredient found in Periwinkle that is known to counter the decline in academic and intellectual abilities caused by cancer-causing agents in children.
Peppermint
Peppermint is an herb that is known to stimulate the mind and has been proven to help in improving creativity, learning abilities, and concentration.
Ginseng
Ginseng is an adaptogenic herb that helps reduce stress and boost concentration, mood, and energy. It increases vitality and improves all-around mental function. It can help improve attention and memory, lengthen physical and mental endurance, and also ease anxiety. It activates neurotransmitter activity that helps improve memory. It can also protect the brain cells against beta-amyloid and toxins that is necessary in preventing the age-related mental decline.
Rosemary
Rosemary is not just used for cooking. It is known to improve memory, mental clarity, and concentration because of its chemical constituent, 1,8-cineole which is responsible for these effects. It acts as a brain-booster especially when used as an essential oil in aromatherapy. The scent of rosemary improves the proficiency, efficiency, speed, and accuracy at mental tasks. It has powerful antioxidant compounds that kill free radicals that cause damage to the cells.
Green Tea
Green tea is known to be a powerful antioxidant. Green tea extracts help protect the lipids and proteins from age-related damaged brought about by oxidation. Green tea extracts help improve learning abilities. It can protect the brain’s hippocampus from age-related decline.
Gotu Kola
Gotu Kola is an amazing herb that helps improve memory, concentration, mental performance, and overall brain function. It has the ability to support memory function and enhance the circulation of blood. It is also another adaptogen which lowers stress. Stress affects your concentration and the ability of your brain to think clearly and to process information. This herb minimizes our response to stress which helps boost our mental performance.
Bacopa
Bacopa is an Ayurvedic herb that is known to be the most powerful herb in improving the memory. It has an ability to improve mental clarity and mental health. Bacopa has been used in ancient times to reduce stress and to improve learning abilities, memory, mental function, and concentration.
Yerba Maté
This shrub is used to increase concentration, stimulate the mind, and ease depression. The consumption of Yerba Maté Tea improves short-term memory and also shows positive effects on memory and learning.
Gingko Biloba
Gingko biloba has an outstanding ability to improve memory and concentration. It improves the circulation of blood along the central nervous system which leads to increased overall brain function. It has been used for years for various healing practices but it is also believed to offer a lot of cognitive benefits especially when used together with ginseng. It helps heal and regenerate brain cells and enhance memory, intelligence, and attention.
Vacha
Vacha is an herb that has been used in treating disorders in the nervous system. It also promotes clear-thinking, mental concentration, and focus. It is also believed to help detoxify brain tissue.
Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodioloa rosea is recognized by scientists and researchers as one of the best herbs for memory improvement. It has been traditionally used in improving focus and memory and relieving depression. It contains adaptogenic compounds that stimulate the central nervous system which improve concentration levels and abilities.
Blueberries
Blueberries contain powerful compounds that improve cognitive function, memory, decision making, verbal comprehension, and rezoning ability. Studies also show that the consumption of blueberries and its flavonoids helps in slowing the decline of cognitive ability and also offers protection against diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Ashwaghanda
This herb is known for improving brain function. It lessens the effects of brain overload and stress. It also enhances and rejuvenates cognitive function and mental clarity. It is believed to help in treating nervous exhaustion and in preventing the deterioration of brain cells. It helps with information processing, mental clarity, and overall cognitive performance.
It is good to know that instead of resorting to supplements, there is always a better option of resorting to what’s natural and has fewer negative effects when it comes to taking care of our brain. If you are taking medication, consult with your doctor before using natural or herbal remedies to avoid the side-effect of using the herbal remedies with medication.