It's perfectly normal to misplace your car keys from time to time, or to occasionally have the name of a familiar person stuck on the tip of your tongue. While these moments of forgetfulness are not generally a cause for alarm, they may nevertheless be frustrating. Perhaps you would like to sharpen your memory skills. Certain herbs are purported to improve every day moments of absentmindedness. Some even show promise in the treatment of more serious and progressive memory lapses due to dementia.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba has been used in traditional medicine to improve memory and treat circulatory disorders. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) states that ginkgo may show promise as a treatment for dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.
The Mayo Clinic also states, however, that a large-scale study found no evidence that ginkgo biloba prevents memory loss or slows the progression of cognitive decline in older adults. The findings were published in December, 2009 in the "Journal of the American Medical Association."
Asian Ginseng
Asian ginseng has been used in traditional Chinese medicine alone, or with other herbs to encourage wisdom along with strength and longevity. People who take this herb report feeling more alert and it may slightly improve thinking, concentration and memory, according to the UMMC. However, more research is needed to substantiate these assertions.
Siberian Ginseng
Siberian ginseng has been used historically in Eastern countries, including China and Russia. The UMMC states that despite the similar name, Siberian ginseng has different chemical components than Asian ginseng. The eleutherosides (active compounds) contained in Siberian ginseng are thought to stimulate the immune system. According to the UMMC, suggestions that this can maintain or restore mental alertness have not been proven.
Rosemary
Rosemary has been used to improve memory, treat muscle pain and spasms, encourage hair growth, and support the circulatory and nervous system, according to the UMMC. It is often used in aromatherapy to increase concentration and memory, and to relieve stress.
A study involving 145 participants conducted by the University of Northumbria, Newcastle in the UK found while rosemary produced a noticeable improvement in memory, it also impaired the speed of recollection. The findings of the study were published in January, 2003 in the "International Journal of Neuroscience."
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