As we're going into the silly season with all its stresses and strains, it's perhaps appropriate to discuss herbal helps for concentration and memory during this exam-packed period.
As we're going into the silly season with all its stresses and strains, it's perhaps appropriate to discuss herbal helps for concentration and memory during this exam-packed period.
It's also worth mentioning that just because these remedies are herbal and natural, it doesn't mean they're always harmless. All herbal products should always best be cleared either by a knowledgeable and well-trained professional in the field or a doctor, herbalist or homoeopath.
The two most effective herbal concentration and memory aids are Gingko biloba and Bacopa monnieri. Both of these are well understood and have withstood the test of time in terms of effectiveness and tolerance.
Gingko biloba is a living fossil originating in Asia, where it has been used medicinally for thousands of years. It is a strong anti-oxidant that protects the brain and nervous system, while increasing blood flow to all the extremities, as well as thinning the blood slightly. This allows for good oxygenation and detoxification of the brain and all the tissues in the extremities, while also working against stress hormones that cause so many problems on so many other levels.
Gingko can help to maintain focus and concentration during exam times, but can also help to slow the progress of dementia in Alzheimer's patients. It's also effective in treating bad circulation and chilblains in winter.
Gingko should never be taken together with an anti-depressant or any type of blood thinner, as it could cause dangerous or unpleasant side-effects. One should also stop taking Gingko a week before any major surgery to lessen any possible risk of bleeding.
Bacopa is an Ayurvedic herb also used for thousands of years in the treatment of anxiety, depression and stress. Also effective in the treatment of learning problems, deficient memory and concentration issues, it can be used to help build new memory of work studied and retain more of that memory.
Bacopa is presently being researched as it seems to be reasonably effective in fighting the onset of Alzheimer's and in slowing the progression of the illness. This effectiveness is at least as high as the effectiveness of any pharmaceutical drugs available at present, with only a bit of dry mouth, nausea and slight muscle fatigue as possible side effects.
It is always reassuring to know that we have had the same problems for so long, that there are tried and trusted herbal treatments out there for us to use, and that we are not limited to only one way of dealing with our various illnesses.
Any queries can be directed to Dr Marianne Baasch (Grahamstown homoeopath) at 073 997 7286.
