Herbal and Home Remedies That Prevent Memory Loss
c. 2002 Susun S. Weed
Even a single family member who is senile or afflicted with Alzheimer's
is enough to make anyone dread the possibility. Since women have always
lived longer than men, the Ancient Grandmothers have a thing or two
to tell us about how to keep our memory sharp until the day we die (at
100+). These remedies are taken from my book New Menopausal Years the
Wise Woman Way. They are arranged in order of safety, with the safest
first and the most dangerous last.
“Touch my face, granddaughter,” murmurs Grandmother Growth.
“Feel the lines that time has worn. Each line tells a story. Feel
the lines in my palms. Every line is a memory. Close your eyes and travel
with me to your ovaries, real or energetic. They are your memory baskets.
When you feel forgetful, close your eyes and journey to the place of
memories. Touch your face, your palms, return to this place, and retrieve
the memory you want.”
“And, dearest,” Grandmother's voice sighs with the wind,
“Remember yourself.”
• Improve your memory fast with meditation. Start with five minutes
a day. You can do it! Breathe out.
• Researchers doing double-blind studies on treatments for those
with memory loss, dementia, or Alzheimer’s, consistently note that
placebos generate a very strong response. In one instance, those on
the placebo did so well that it was suspected that they did not have
sufficient impairment at the beginning of the study. So get a bottle,
label it “Memory Pills,” fill it with candy or nuts, and take
one every time you forget to.
Ginkgo biloba tincture has been well studied for the treatment of
those dealing with Alzheimer’s and dementia. In one study, those
taking the leaf extract, 27 percent maintained cognitive functioning
and memory, while 86 percent of the placebo group lost functioning.
CAUTION: Ginkgo increases aspirin’s blood-thinning effects.
Mental exercise (word puzzles, reading, writing) and physical exercise
are important aspects of nourishing and tonifying the brain and memory.
Memorize poetry and recite it for friends. Volunteer for community theater
and memorize your part. The more you use your memory, the stronger it
will be.
• Lower your blood pressure and improve your memory. In a study
of 200 men and women, those with even moderately high blood pressure
(164/89) had more memory problems than those with normal blood pressures.
A dropperful of motherwort tincture (Leonurus cardiaca) daily dependably
lowers blood pressure and can generally be used safely with drugs if
desired. (Do not use capsules of any herb while you are taking a drug.)
• My father has been taking 400 IU of d-alpha tocopherol (supplement
form of vitamin E) and 2- 3 dropperfuls of ginkgo tincture (not capsules)
since his non-Alzheimer's dementia was first apparent, more than fifteen
years ago. His doctors remain amazed at the glacial pace of his losses.
• Think taking estrogen will save your memory? Think again. The
largest (120 women) scientifically rigorous study (Journal of the American
Medical Association, January 23, 2000), found 80 percent of the women
taking estrogen replacement (and 74 percent of the women taking a placebo)
had less memory, less ability to perform daily tasks, and less cognitive
functioning after fifteen months of treatment.
If you liked this excerpt by Susun S.
Weed, you will want
NEW Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way:
Alternative Approaches for Women 30 - 90
by Susun S. Weed
Foreword by Juliette de Bairacli Levy.
304 pages, index, magical illustrations.
Completely revised with 100 new pages. All the remedies women know and trust plus hundreds of new ones. New sections on thyroid health, fibromyalgia, hairy problems, male menopause, and herbs for women taking hormones. Recommended by Susan Love MD and Christiane Northrup MD.
Retails for $27.95
Read Juliette de Levy-Bairacli's introduction:
This
book should be in the hands of every woman, of every race,
no matter
what age, worldwide.
Read some excerpts:
Building Better Bones
Kundalini Meditation
Order New Menopausal Years in our Bookshop
"If this book had not been given to me by a close friend, I would be experiencing menopause in an entirely different manner. The Wise Woman approach to the various and unexpected discomforts and joys of the Change has motivated me to seize this experience to transform my life for the better."
