IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE providing articles for the past three weeks about silent doctors (medicinal plants) which can assist in boosting memory. These articles were necessary to educate readers, especially parents whose children were/are writing examinations.
In particular, I remember when the article Sage Herb Shown To Improve Memory appeared on May 9.
I received so many calls from readers that I found myself assisting them to locate the dried herb (sage) in tea bag form and as a seedling to grow in the kitchen garden. I totally enjoyed that experience.
This week the focus is on simple fruit and vegetables which can assist with memory and brainpower. A study conducted by Harvard researchers and published by Annals Of Neurology, a journal of the American Neurological Association and Child Neurology Society, has revealed that “a high intake of flavonoid-rich berries, such as strawberries and blueberries, over time, can delay memory decline in older women by two-and-a-half years”.
Research on the webpage www.bebrainfit.com shows that “free radicals can trigger brain inflammation which contributes to ADHD, anxiety, brain fog, and memory loss as well as serious neurological disorders such as stroke and Alzheimer’s”.
Berries are loaded with antioxidants and studies have shown that these antioxidants can protect the brain from oxidation damage and free radical damage.
Foods rich in beta-carotene are also excellent antioxidants. Theses include red, green and yellow peppers, mangoes, oranges, tomatoes, broccoli and cantaloupe. The body also needs essential fatty acids to boost brainpower.
The website lifeextension.com posits: “Recent research has opened up a new horizon in our understanding of omega-3’s profound ability to halt age-related decline and pathology, shattering the long-held medical belief that brain shrinkage and nerve cell death is progressive and irreversible.
Omega-3s have been shown to possess anti-depressant and neuroprotective properties.” Foods rich in fatty acids are avocado, marine edible plants, nuts and seed oils.
Finally, let us create two brain boosters with a bang.
• Calypso Joy Booster: Mix 1/2 cup diced mangoes, 1/2 cup broccoli, piece of cantaloupe, 3 peanuts, one-and-a-half cups natural orange juice, two strawberries and 1/2 tsp olive oil and blend for three minutes.
• Brain Passion Tossed Salad: Two cups chopped lettuce, three tbsp chopped walnuts, one tbsp chopped sweet peppers, two small slices avocado pear, one tbsp chopped tomatoes and two tbsp grated carrots. Served this tossed salad with a home-made herbal vinaigrette dressing.
Always remember to take good care of the brain by feeding it good thoughts and good food.
• Annette Maynard-Watson, a teacher and herbal educator, may be contacted via silentdoctors@gmail.com or by telephone 250-6450.
DISCLAIMER: It is not our intention to prescribe or make specific claims for any products. Any attempts to diagnose or treat real illness should come under the direction of your health care provider.
