Table of contents:
- Various herbs and super spices to maintain brain health
- 1. Sage
- 2. Ginkgo biloba
- 3. Turmeric
- 4. Parsley and thyme
- 5. Ginseng
Herbs and spices are generally used in cooking to make the taste even better. Herbal plants have also been used since ancient times to cure various diseases. Apparently not only that, you know, the benefits! According to a number of studies, several types of herbs and spices that you may already have at home are believed to help maintain brain health.
Various herbs and super spices to maintain brain health
The brain is an important organ that functions as the central nervous system. All the activities you do, whether consciously or not, are regulated by your brain. A healthy brain can work properly and optimally. Apart from exercising and eating healthy foods, herbal supplements and concoctions made from several types of herbs and spices below also nourish the brain.
Reporting from Very Well Mind, research shows that some of them have a potential effect on preventing Alzheimer's disease and improving cognitive function of the brain, such as increasing the ability to think, learn, understand, and sharpen memory.
Here are herbs and spices that can help maintain the health of your brain.
1. Sage
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Sage leaves can help improve the memory of Alzheimer's disease patients, reports a study published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Quoted from Web MD, regularly taking sage extract supplements for 4 months can improve the learning process and understanding of information in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
Other studies have shown that sage can improve memory in healthy young adults.
The thing to remember, the use of sage supplements must be prescribed by a doctor. Carelessly measuring the dose can have the effect of raising blood pressure which is dangerous if you have hypertension.
Apart from being available in supplements, you can get the benefits of sage straight from the fresh leaves. The trick, roughly chop a few sage leaves in your cooking or rebuild them and enjoy as herbal tea.
2. Ginkgo biloba
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When it comes to herbs for maintaining brain health, you must be familiar with ginkgo biloba. Ginkgo biloba has long been used as a herbal remedy to treat symptoms of dementia.
Research published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease in 2005 explains that ginkgo biloba extract known as EGb761 has the potential to slow cognitive decline in patients experiencing neuropsychiatric symptoms (nervous system and mental disorders), apart from dementia or Alzheimer's.
You can easily get the benefits of gingko biloba for your health in the form of supplements. Consult your doctor first, before using this supplement.
3. Turmeric
Turmeric or turmeric has curcumin compounds that are anti-inflammatory and antioxidants, which are very beneficial for brain health and overall body health.
In Alzheimer's patients, macrophages - immune cells that destroy foreign substances that enter the body - do not function properly, which can cause beta-amyloid plaque to build up more and more in the brain. This plaque buildup is strongly suspected of triggering the severity of Alzheimer's symptoms.
The compounds contained in turmeric increase the response of macrophages in eradicating beta-amyloid plaques in the brain thereby reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Simply put, turmeric works to inhibit the death of brain nerve cells and shed plaque in the brain which triggers Alzheimer's disease.
4. Parsley and thyme
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Spices like parsley and thyme contain a flavonoid antioxidant called apigenin. These compounds have the potential to strengthen the connections between nerve cells (neurons) so that they can stimulate the formation of new and healthy brain cells.
In addition, quoted from Prevention, Giana Angelo, PhD, a researcher at the Micronutrient Information Center at Oregon State University's Lingus Pauling Institute explained that the chemical structure of apigenin is able to mimic the hormone estrogen which plays a role in neuronal development.
The more and the stronger the connections between the nerve cells of the brain, the less the risk of developing depression, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
5. Ginseng
Apart from turmeric, ginseng also has antioxidants that can prevent inflammation known as genocide. Ginseng also has anti-stress properties so it can improve mood.
Reporting from Dr. Ax, a study conducted by the Department of Neurology at the Clinical Research Institute in South Korea shows that ginseng stimulates the development of brain cells and improves brain concentration and cognitive function.
