Mid Terms and Finals:
6 Herbs that can Support Memory, Learning, Focus and Concentration
I have updated and revised this article
While a healthy diet rich in a variety of whole foods and one that supplies plenty of quality fats, protein and carbs from whole foods is ideal for brain health, we all know that is not always the case with our teens and young adult children who are in high school and college.
Below is a list of herbs and other nutrients that can support brain health during exams. If your issue is with anxiety and stress during finals, studying and during test taking then read this article on herbs to use
I also like blends but you may want to start out with one herb to see which is best. Either way, I recommend some brands and options to try.
If you are pregnant or breast feeding do not take any herbal remedies. If you are on any medications, consult with your doctor, herbalist, nutritionist or ND prior to taking any herbs or supplements as some can interact with medications. Always dose low and work your way up to higher dosage if needed.
Mid- term and Finals Brain Boost
Herbs to Take to Help with Studying and Test Taking
You can order supplements here when you register at my online store
- Huperzine A: This is not an herb per se but is a compound that is found naturally in some plant species. The most common plant that it is extracted from is the Chines Club moss. Take 50-200 mcg. one time daily. Used for memory, learning enhancement, alertness. This is also used for cognitive decline/dementia in the elderly. You can take it with or without food.
- Life Extension makes one that is 200 mcg.
- Bacopa monnieri: This plant that is found in warm wetlands has been shown to nourish the nervous system, boost brain function, and enhance memory and learning. This herb may be even more effective when combined with Brahmi (Gotu kola) It can be helpful for memory, focus, clarity, mood, attention, learning and concentration. Research on Bacopa’s memory enhancing effects is still ongoing but current studies are promising. Studies used 300-450 mg. extract per day for 12 weeks.
- Himalaya Bacopa or Pure Encapsulation Bacopa are good choices or use in a blend such as Bacopa Plus from Ayush Herbs.
- Brahmi (Centella asiatica): This plant is also known as Gotu Kola and is a plant that is grown in tropical climates or in higher, cooler elevations of China or India. Brahmi has been shown to decongest the brain lymphatic system and can drain 3 pounds of toxins from the brain each year! When used with Bacopa, these two herbs can work together to boost brain function, memory and learning. For studying use Bacopa and Brahmi together for enhanced brain effectiveness. Take 500 mg. 3 times per day after each meal.
- I like this in powder form from Bayan Botanicals. You can add this to your morning coffee or tea.
- Vinpocetine: You may want to start stocking up on this product now as it may not be available to the public in the future. Vinpocetine is a synthesized compound derived from an alkaloid found in the leaves of the Vinca minor plant or from Voacanga seeds. It is said to increase blood flow to the brain and is used as a memory enhancement. There have been no reports of adverse effects of taking Vinpocetine so my personal thoughts are that the FDA wants to take this off of the natural health food store shelves because they want to use it in new drugs they are bringing to market. Take 10-20 mg daily and up to 60 mg. but this high dose is most often used for age related decline.
- Source Naturals and Douglas Labs both are good choices for 10 mg. Pure Encapsulations makes one at 20 mg. Most others are only 5 mg.
- Rosemary: Rosemary is used for poor memory and has a long history of memory enhancement. One study showed that those who had been exposed to rosemary via aromatherapy had reduced anxiety, increased alertness and exhibited better performance on memory testing.
- For Essential oils, I like to order from (no affiliation) www.elizabethvanburen.com for high quality therapeutic EO’s.
- Ginkgo biloba: this is the worlds oldest living species of tree. The leaves are used in herbal remedies. It is used for age related decline and early onset Alzheimer’s but also shows promise for memory and concentration. Oral doses taken by healthy volunteers showed that ginkgo is capable of improving cognitive function, mental sharpness, concentration and memory. Most trials have shown amounts of 120 and 240 mg. of Ginkgo biloba extract used. If purchased in tincture form, start with one dropper per day and work up to 3 droppers per day as needed. I have found Ginkgo to be dose dependent, meaning more is not always better. Start out slowly. If you suffer from migraines avoid this herb.
Blends: These can pack numerous herbs into one product to enhance memory, learning and concentration. A couple that I like include: Cogni Factors by Biogenesis and Mind Blend by Vitanica.
When Purchasing Herbs Know this!
Many products when tested contain little if any of the actual herb or do not contain the correct part of the herb or the correct constituents. If you buy your herbal products from a discount store or a big box store, including mass product online stores, (many of them that I will not name personally) know that you are probably wasting your money. When purchasing herbs it is best to use reputable and trusted companies.
You can go to Tru Foods Home Page and click on the tab on top for products. That tab will open up and click on supplements. Here you can set up your account to order from my online store.
Having Fun With Herbs
I like to play around and make different herbal tea blends using loose organic herbs. Here are a few combinations to try out. If you are not sure how to make tea at home (for instance, avoid tea balls and there is a reason why we cover our tea when brewing), read this article on how to make a great cup of tea
For Energy: Try yerba Mate (low amounts of caffeine) with peppermint, rooibos, green tea (contains caffeine), nettle leaf and suma root.
For Calmness Support and stress reduction: Try lavender, chamomile, hops, lemon balm, holy basil, oat straw, catnip with some kava root.
For Brain Focus: Try a blend of Ashwagandha root, rhodiola root, rosemary, nettle leaf, and sage.
I personally like to order my bulk organic herbs from www.mountainroseherbs.com
For traveling and when out and about, here is my favorite way to take my herbal blends on the go travel press mug for coffee and tea This is the one that I personally use and love. Its like your coffee press at home. It works great with herbs and there are no herbs that get through when drinking it. I love this!
A Word of Caution!
Everyone thinks more is better. This is not always the case with herbs. Many are dose dependent. Follow the guidelines here and always start low and slow and work your way up to a dose that works for you. Each body reacts differently to herbs based on your body’s needs. Start using one to two herbs prior to exam time so that you have a plan in place already to help you.
To see where and where not to order supplements and more importantly, the reason why, go to my fb page and watch this short video clip on my face book page Short video on where to order from, where not to order from and why
The video is no longer at the top of my fb page so just know this: buy from reputable sources that you trust or directly from the company. Cheaper brands are usually just that-cheap, of poor quality and doesn’t contain what you need.
Bottom Line: Finding out your root cause and adding in the right foods for your body is still important if you are struggling with focus and concentration issues at work, school or in your daily life tasks. Adding in additional brain support in the form of herbs and supplements can be very useful but should not take the place of diet and root causes. You may just need extra support around a stressful exam, deadline or project at work. In this case, an herb or blend may be all that you need.
Herbs can interact with some medications-check with your health provider before adding in new herbs.
Sources
https://examine.com/supplements/huperzine-a/
https://www.ncbi.nlm/nih.gov/pubmed/23772955
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4124189
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22747190
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3116297/#!=po1.47059
http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Regulation/FDA-rules-vinpocetine-not-a-legal-dietary-ingredient-despite-successful-NDI-filings
Other Sources
Balch, P. (2012) Prescription for Herbal Healing. 2nd Edition. NY: Avery
Gaby, A. (2006) The Natural Pharmacy. Revised and Updated 3rd Edition. NY: Three Rivers Press.
Hoffman, D. (2003) Medical Herbalism. VT: Healing Arts Press.
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