Medicinal Herbs For Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's disease is a type of progressive dementia that affects your cognitive abilities and your behavior. The National Center for Biotechnology Information states that Alzheimer's disease is characterized by memory problems, language problems, difficulty making decisions, impaired judgment and altered personality. Two prominent risk factors for this condition are age and a family history of the condition. Medicinal herbs may help slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, although you should first talk with your health care provider about the safety and effectiveness of herbs.

Alzheimer's Disease

Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease -- an irreversible brain disease -- usually develop after the age of 60, notes the National Institute on Aging. The Institute reports that Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in elderly individuals, and that about 5.1 million people living in the United States may have this condition. Possible contributing factors to this condition include a history of head trauma, being female and experiencing prolonged elevated blood pressure.

Medicinal Herbs

Medicinal herbs have been used for many years to help slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease and improve mental clarity. Phyllis A. Balch, a nutrition researcher, certified nutritional consultant and author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," states that numerous medicinal herbs may be helpful in treating various aspects of this condition. Butcher's broom and ginkgo help improve circulation, whereas kava kava and St. John's wort help calm people who are quick to anger -- a common occurrence among those with Alzheimer's disease. Other helpful herbs may include turmeric, oregano, sanicle, gypsywort, rosemary, valerian root and qian ceng ta -- a Chinese herb.

A Helpful Herb

Ginkgo may be a particularly helpful herb in treating Alzheimer's disease. Balch notes that ginkgo has antioxidant action and has been shown to increase brain blood flow. Ginkgo, or Ginkgo biloba, helps stabilize and, in some cases, enhance mental functioning and social behavior in people with Alzheimer's disease. Ginkgo, notes the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, is used for a variety of health problems, including memory loss and Alzheimer's disease. Extracts from the leaves of the ginkgo tree are used in herbal preparations.

Warning

Because Alzheimer's disease is a serious and progressive condition, it is necessary to take the appropriate steps to prevent or slow the course of this disease. A proper diagnosis of your condition is an important first step in the treatment of your Alzheimer's disease. Because the symptoms of this condition often parallel other medical problems -- including nutritional deficiencies -- it is recommended that you undergo extensive nutritional testing and therapy before accepting a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.