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.