Certain herbs may help prevent or treat brain damage. Brain damage can be caused by a number of factors, including the lack of oxygen. Some herbs have a protective effect on brain cells, according to the findings of scientific studies. However, consult with your doctor before trying to prevent, treat or cure any brain condition with herbs.
Schizandra Chinensis
Schizandra chinensis is a woody vine that is native to the China and Russia. Schizandra chinensis may help improve brain damage. A study published in 2009 in Issue 9 of the "China Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy" found that schizandra chinensis helped improve energy metabolism in the brain after clinically induced cerebral ischemia. Cerebral ischemia is damage caused to the brain by the lack of oxygen.
Angelica
Angelica is a genus of plants with white or greenish-white flowers. Angelica injections reversed the learning and memory impairments that were caused by clinically induced brain damage in rats, according to the findings of a study published in February 2008 in "Current Neurovascular Research." The researchers noted improvements in nerve growth in the hippocampus. The hippocampus is the area of the brain involved with long-term memory and the ability to navigate through space.
Zingiber Officinale
Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, is a root herb used both medicinally and as a spice. Ginger may be able to help remedy the effects of stress-related brain damage. A study published in the 2011 "Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine" found that ginger supplementation 14 days before and 21 days after clinically induced brain damage protected brain cells from death. It also protected memory function in the rats studied.
Green Tea
The catechins, or chemicals, found in green tea may help improve brain damage caused by neurodegenerative disorders. According to an article published in the Winter 2008 "CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutic," green tea catechins can protect the brain from dementia, Alzheimer's's disease and Parkinson's disease-related damage. Catechins are antioxidants, meaning that they can protect the cells of the brain from attack by free radicals. Free radicals are compounds that destroy cells and can lead to cell death.
References
- "CabDirect": Effect of Schisandra Chinensis Baill Distilled by Ethanol on Energy Metabolism in Brain of Repeated Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Model Mice; Miao YanYan, Miao MingSan, Ma Xiao, et al.; 2009
- "Ingenta Connect": Angelica Injection Reduces Cognitive Impairment during Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion through Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Nerve Growth Factor; Junjian Zhang, Ping Zheng; Liu Hanxing; February 2008
- "Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine": Zingiber officinale Mitigates Brain Damage and Improves Memory Impairment in Focal Cerebral Ischemic Rat; Jintanaporn Wattanathorn, Jinatta Jittiwat, Terdthai Tongun, et al.; 2011
- "Wiley Online Library": Simultaneous Manipulation of Multiple Brain Targets by Green Tea Catechins: A Potential Neuroprotective Strategy for Alzheimer and Parkinson Diseases: Silvia A. Mandel, Tamar Amit, Orly Weinreb, et al.; 2008
