| The human brain is one of the most sophisticated | | | | circulation of blood to different parts of the body, |
| organs nature has ever made. One of the most | | | | including the brain. It protects the brain from damage |
| interesting aspects of the brain is its power to retain | | | | due to the wear and tear of its cells. Gotu kola can |
| information, which we call as memory. Memory is | | | | regenerate lost energy from the human system, and |
| perhaps the most vital of the aspects that | | | | make the person feel more zestful. |
| differentiates human beings from other animals. | | | | Gotu kola is generally used in tonics intended to |
| However, memory can become faulty due to several | | | | re-vitalize the brain. It improves concentration, makes |
| reasons, and in that case the person is not able to | | | | the brain more receptive to information and also brings |
| make full use of his or her potentials. | | | | about an enhancement in the memory. |
| Since ages, drugs and natural remedies have been | | | | 4. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) |
| prescribed to enhance memories in people. Ayurveda | | | | Ashwagandha is one of the most essential |
| has a treasure-chest of such memory enhancing | | | | components used in enhancing memory and overall |
| drugs, which are today popular all over the world due | | | | brain functioning. Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, |
| to their proven effective qualities. The following is a list | | | | stress-buster and a re-vitalizer. Ashwagandha has a |
| of the most effective herbs used in memory | | | | cooling and calming effect on the brain. After a hard |
| enhancement all over the world. | | | | day’s work, ashwagandha can bring the brain back |
| 1. Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) | | | | to its normal state of functioning. |
| Brahmi is perhaps the most investigated of all herbs | | | | Ayurveda regards ashwagandha as a medha |
| for its memory enhancement properties. Now it is | | | | rasayana, i.e. a brain tonic. It has direct results in |
| certified that brahmi has several chemicals that | | | | improving the memory capacity of the brain. |
| promote the protein synthesis process in the nerve | | | | Ashwagandha is very powerful in making new |
| and the brain cells, which is directly responsible for | | | | concepts seem clearer and easy to understand. It is a |
| developing the mental capacity of the brain. Brahmi | | | | vital component of almost all herbal brain tonics |
| can make a person think clearer, and hence the | | | | available in the market. |
| memory becomes more vivid. In India, brahmi is used in | | | | 5. Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra) |
| countless forms to improve mental capacity for | | | | Mulethi is none other than licorice, the herb already |
| school-going children. Brahmi also increases the | | | | known worldwide for its various curative properties. |
| grasping power of the brain, due to which people can | | | | Mulethi is an efficient brain tonic and a re-vitalizer for |
| understand and assimilate information easily. | | | | the brain. Like most of the other herbs mentioned here, |
| In adults, brahmi helps in relaxing and soothing the cells | | | | mulethi also rejuvenates the brain. In times of stress, |
| of the brain, and brings it to a normal state of | | | | mulethi can stimulate mental functions so as to feel a |
| functioning. Thus, brahmi is a valuable anti-anxiety | | | | calming and relaxing effect. Mulethi increases the |
| agent and an antidepressant. Brahmi oil is quite often | | | | circulation into the central nervous system and |
| used to massage the head. This sort of massage | | | | balances the sugar levels in the blood. Mulethi is |
| immediately puts the mind at rest and the mental | | | | frequently provided to students who are preparing for |
| abilities rise drastically after its use. | | | | important examinations, as it helps to remember small |
| 2. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) | | | | facts and bits of information. |
| Ginkgo works by improving the blood circulation to the | | | | 6. Vacha (Acorus calamus) |
| central nervous system. This is the primary requisite | | | | Vacha is a very vigorous brain tonic, because it shows |
| for a healthy and capable brain. Apart from this, ginkgo | | | | results in a very short time. It increases the overall |
| corrects any damage done to the cells of different | | | | memory of the person and strengthens the nervous |
| parts of the body, including the brain. It also minimizes | | | | system. Vacha is prescribed to people who have |
| the effects of the blood clotting. All these properties of | | | | amnesia. |
| the ginkgo have been studied in detail by western | | | | Improving the memory is a quest on which human |
| experts and they have obtained very encouraging | | | | beings have embarked centuries ago. In almost all |
| results. | | | | civilizations, there have been attempts to discover the |
| Ginkgo has got a place of respect in Ayurveda. The | | | | best herbs for brain enhancement with minimum |
| extract of the ginkgo is prescribed to people who | | | | side-effects. Perhaps, Ayurveda wins the race in this. |
| have amnesia and Alzheimer’s disease. Several | | | | All the herbs Ayurveda uses for its brain tonics have |
| herbal brain tonics have ginkgo as one of the chief | | | | minimum side-effects and are quite safe for the |
| ingredients. | | | | human beings. Western science is now warming up to |
| 3. Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) | | | | these herbs and is looking upon them as effective |
| The gotu kola is very effective in increasing the | | | | supplements for the human brain. |