Top 5 Festive Herbs for Memory
There’s nothing more frightening losing your memory as you age.
Having a “senior moment” like losing your train of thought mid-sentence… forgetting about your grandkid’s birthday… or worse, forgetting your grandkid’s name can really make you feel vulnerable.
But they’re NOT inevitable.
Mother Nature has provided us with plenty of all-natural brain boosters.
And some of them may even be a key ingredient in some of your favorite festive dishes.
There are lots of foods and spices that can help protect your brain.
Here are five of the best.
- Sage. This holiday favorite is powerful enough to help enhance memory and combat Alzheimer’s. Research shows that giving sage extracts to Alzheimer’s patients improved their cognitive function and made them less agitated. And in healthy adults, even just SMELLING sage enhanced memory function.
- Rosemary. Another yuletide go-to, rosemary has been recognized for its memory-enhancing properties for hundreds of years. Now, studies show that it increases alertness and improves long-term memory. And like sage, many of these benefits can be obtained just by smelling its potent aroma.
- Thyme. Thyme is high in a flavonoid called luteolin, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Thyme has also been shown to increase antioxidant levels in the brain, as well as levels of brain-boosting omega-3s.
- Ginger. Studies show that this zingy spice can improve working memory, reaction time, and attention. It’s even been shown to reduce the brain inflammation linked to neurodegenerative diseases.
- Peppermint. Studies show that this potent plant enhances memory function and alertness just by smelling it.
And the best part? You don’t just get to use these powerful brain-boosters over the holidays. These spices can be added to your favorite dishes year-round.
To a brighter day,
Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.
