herbs for mental sharpness?

[AmandaRuth]

Is there such a thing? I am taking a class with a bunch of youngsters and i gotta get some kind of edge! :-) :D Many many thanks to all who take the time to respond.

[Nancy Waterman]

1. Ginko Biloba for memory

I use the one from Enzymatic Therapy called Ginko with Phytosome. I highly recommend it. Ginko increases the oxygen flow to the brain.

Also Omega 3 Fatty Acids (usually fish oil ) are like a brain food.

[Pallas180]

10. one problem with ginko biloba is that many women

suffer burning urine symptoms from it .

[Desertrose]

12. another caution for Ginko Biloba- it thins the blood!!

Found out the hard way that it is a bloodthinner so if you are on any other drug or supplement that is also a bloodthinner- be very cautious!

Other common supplements that are blood thinnners I am aware of are vite E and vite C.

[Angry Girl]

2. You bet there are!

Also called "smart drugs" or "nootropics," there are many herbs and extracts that increase microcirculation in the brain and assist the brain's biochemical reactions. Google either of the terms for more info.

We take these "smart drugs" daily:

- alpha-lipoic acid
- acetyl-L-carnitine

(read about this famous combo in http://www.juvenon.com/news and http://www.lef.org/protocols/prtcl-003.shtml -- lef.org is a very good place for info, btw)

We also regularly take these, but this is custom tailored so your mileage may vary (e.g., DMAE helps with inattention for me but may not for you)

Bacopa monnieri
Huperzine-A complex
Vinpocetine
Rhodiola rosea
Gotu Kola
DMAE

CAUTION: Be aware that BACOPA is a heart tonic so if you've got a heart condition, check with your doctor. Also, do not use GOTU KOLA for more than 6 weeks straight.

We get all of our supplements at http://www.Beyond-a-Century.com and make our own capsules. They have a very knowledgeable staff, terrific catalog, great selection, and great prices!

OBLIGATORY WARNING: Always check with your doctor before taking your health in your own hands....

[Cha]

6. There was an older musician in the co-op

the other day who had ordered "Brainstorm" from Nature's Answer and I asked him if it really helped and he said "Yes!".

He said it gave him the most mental clarity of anything he's tried. It's an extract that is alcohol free and I plan to try it myself.

http://www.naturesanswer.com/products/read_products_searchresult.asp?id=168&username=

[Eloriel]

9. Please don't call them drugs

They're not -- unless they've been synthesized or something. They're supplements. FOODS, or parts of foods.

Theres is such a tremendous gulf in nearly every way -- substances themselves, the attitudes of people who manufacture them, the way the FDA treats them, how they work in the body, etc. -- between real "drugs" and natural substances that it's important not to confuse the issue by calling things drugs that clearly aren't.

[Angry Girl]

15. So noted! Thanks!

[AmandaRuth]

3. thanks

i bought some ginko biloba today. I plan on reading up on all the rest this weekend. Thanks again. AmandaRuth

[Cha]

7. Sorry, my post # 6 was meant to

reply to you..the thread starter.:)

[DemExpat]

4. I need to look up an article I read about brain food too....

I start my University studies again in February, and being in my early 50s, I really notice the difference in my brain power - on the one hand I feel I have much more insight into the big picture of things, but for the details and memory of facts I'm "sinking".....:D

I'll post the food tips from that piece when I find it again....:hi:

DemEx

[devinsgram]

5. I really do not know anything to take, but

I am soon starting my junior year in college and I am 58. I have heard and found that if you listen to some kind of classical music such as Mozart it helps you to study and remember what you studied. I have done this and it does help a great deal. For me it is enjoyable, because I am a big fan of classical music. It might take some time to get used to, but it really does help. Good luck and remember, with age comes wisdom.

[Eloriel]

8. Something else you may find helpful

if you're so inclined. Brain Gym or Educational Kinesiology.

Brain Gym is an amazing set of simple not even quite "exercises" that helps to balance and integrate all the different parts of the brain (left / right, front/back, top/bottom). It REALLY, tangibly helps people who are trying to improve at various tasks including learning things. It can help with comprehension, retention, math skills, listening, etc., etc., etc., etc.

You can find a practitioner and take a weekend class, which is great, or you can buy one or more of the books from the Edu-K site: www.braingym.org/

It's easy enough to learn on your own for these purposes. The whole system (all the stuff beyind Brain Gym) can create amazing changes for people, but the simple Brain Gym routines are wonderful. They've been used very successfully -- in fact were originally developed for -- learning disabled children. But ANYone can benefit.

[Pallas180]

14. Thanks Eloriel, I've taken courses in Health Kinesiology

but had never heard of this - it sounds very very interesting and I think I'll order a couple of Dennison's books. thanks again.

[Eloriel]

16. You're quite welcome

I'm surprised that you haven't seen my frequent posts recommending it prior to this.

In any case, the books I recommend highest are the Brain Gym Handbook (teaches you how to do the various parts) and maybe something like Brain Gym for Business, which sounds like a turnoff but it's very useful (IMO) in identifying what Brain Gym exercises do what for you.

One thing you should know is that one of my frustrations with the Dennisons is that they did not, perhaps would not, go into any theory to any extent in their various workshops and even books -- at least the ones I know about. If you're looking for theory, I have no idea where to send you.

Another thing I'll mention is that BG and Edu-K really draws from a lot of different disciplines, including Touch for Health (if you're familiar with that).

But the most important thing is that it works, it's valuable and IMO another one of those little tools for your toolkit that everyone ought to be familiar with.

[Pallas180]

11. Wow devinsgram. Congratulations. That's terriffic -

brave woman.!

[BuddhaGirl]

13. phosphatidyl serine is great!

it's a brain nutrient - it has helped both my husband and I with mental clarity.

Another benefit is that it helps the body deal with stress - helps manage cortisol levels.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine and Alpha Lipoic acid, taken together, is wonderful for cognition. There was actually a Reader's Digest article about it recently.

[Pallas180]

17. The only "vitamin" I've known about for the brain is Choline which

helps (temporarily) strengthen (or re-connect) a weak or broken synapse - (nerve firing)