Many people drink coffee or use supplements to help them stay alert and focused throughout the day and help with memory retention. While coffee is the morning drink of choice for many, tea remains the most popular beverage the world over. There are many herbs that can help sharpen mental acuity, and many of them can be used in a tea for memory retention and focus.
A lack of mental clarity can be caused by many things including stress, substance abuse, lack of sleep, injury, depression, medical conditions and many others. For these reasons, it may be difficult to determine how effective a tea for memory retention and focus may be. Because memory problems can be early symptoms of health conditions, should you experience any cognitive changes, this needs to be brought up with your health care provider, especially if they are recurring, persistent or severe. However, for occasional mental fog, consider a piping hot cup of tea using the top seven herbs for improving your memory, to help start you on the right foot.
1. Ginkgo Biloba
Likely the most well known herb in terms of providing a memory boost is ginkgo, early studies have shown the herb’s ability to protect nerve cells, and this positive effect has been studied in Alzheimer’s and dementia patients with pretty powerful results. Ginkgo boasts two different compounds that are thought to be responsible for these effects, flavonoids and terpenoids, which are both found in the leaves of the plant. Although popular in supplement form, ginkgo also makes an excellent tea for memory retention, and its positive neurological effects make it a popular constituent in many herbal tea recipes.
2. Ginseng
Ginseng is perhaps best known for providing an energy boost, but this may actually be a pleasant side effect related to enhanced mental acuity. In early studies, lab mice on ginseng were able to navigate test mazes more quickly than those who were not, perhaps pointing to the herb’s ability to sharpen mental focus.
3. Gotu Kola
Gotu Kola has been a staple of ancient medicine in the Eastern world for hundreds of years. This herb is popularly used in a tea for memory retention and focus and works by boosting the circulation of blood throughout the brain. In turn, better clarity, focus, brain power, concentration and attention span are all thought to result.
4. Periwinkle
Some of the compounds found in periwinkle are related to those found in many medications used for combating dementia and Alzheimer’s today. Vincamine, a chemical found in periwinkle, thins the blood and hence allows for better blood flow and oxygenation to the brain. In addition to boosting blood flow, potent periwinkle compounds also help protect blood vessels and counteract free radicals found in the body, preventing further damage. Periwinkle is an excellent addition to a tea for memory retention and overall health as a result.
5. Rosemary
Most people associate rosemary with savory seasoning. However, rosemary can help reduce stress and therefore improve concentration. Small studies have shown that rosemary may be able to counteract high cortisol levels in the body, high levels which can contribute to a loss of focus and agitation. Rosemary is common in many herbal tea recipes due to its unique and familiar flavor.
6. Green Tea
Green tea, which refers to fermentation level not leaf color, is an incredibly popular beverage that is revered for its healthy heaping helping of antioxidants. There are many health benefits that have been explored in relation to green tea, including mental acuity. Because of the antioxidants found in green tea, many think that the brew is able to counteract the damaging, oxidizing effects of free radicals, which can negatively impact mental function in the first place. This tea is a superb tea for memory enhancement which is not lacking in terms of other health benefits either.
7. Rhodiola Rosea
Although the herb lacks the studies that many others geared towards mental focus do, rhodiola rosea has been used in ancient medicine for improving memory and focus for a long time. Also known as golden root, and in addition to improving focus and concentration, the herb has also been associated with combating the symptoms of depression.
Brewed beverages have been waking us up and keeping us focused for a very long time. But, tea shines where coffee dulls in that some of the most antioxidant rich leaves and herbs can also provide other healthful benefits, including preventing neurological damage by free radicals. Before taking any herbal remedies, discuss them with your health care provider to ensure that they are safe for you and will not interact with any medications that you are taking or health conditions that you may have. A tea for memory retention and focus is just a cup of hot water away, and exciting studies back the herbal benefits that have been enjoyed in ancient medicine for thousands of years.
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