AYURPATRA
Your
monthly health e-newsletter
Vol:
1-Diseases of - Above Shoulder region
SERIES
URDHWAJATRUGATA XXV–
Nov
2006
This
monthly e-feature “Ayurpatra” is a sincere effort for the welfare of
the mankind through Ayurveda. Our web site (www.ayurplanet.com)
has helped millions of people. Ayurpatra is loaded with lots of
information, events and happenings related to Ayurveda including featured
articles, details of very useful herbs, beauty tips and various herbal
products and health supplements. The aim of this Newsletter is to serve
humanity from health aspect by natural means.
FEATURE HEALTH ARTICLE: MEMORY PROBLEMS II (SMRITI VIKRITI)
Contd.
From MEMORY PROBLEMS-I; Oct 06 issue of
Ayurpatra
MANAGEMENT
OF MEMORY PROBLEMS:
The factors that helps in boosting up of memory are :
1.
FOOD
Eating
foods that nourish the tissues and also a high protein diet feeds the
muscle tissue which is directly connected with brain tissue. Avoid sour
,raw food and salad and fermented foods because these block the strotras,
or subtle energy channels. Keep your food spiced with ginger, garlic,
cinnamon, clove, black pepper, basil, thyme and rosemary to help stimulate
the Agni (digestive metabolic fire). Ginger has been scientifically
proven to increase the basal metabolic rate that transforms nutrients into
tissues
Foods
that
boost memory are walnuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, almonds, turmeric, and
blueberries, to name a few. Walnuts contain polyunsaturated, omega-3 fatty
acids that are good for the brain and have been shown to aid brain
development in infants.
Researchers
at UCLA found that curcumin in turmeric protects the brain against plaques
in the synapses of rats, indicating that the plaques found in the brain of
Alzheimer's patients also respond to turmeric. Interestingly enough,
India, a country where turmeric is widely used, has very little
Alzheimer's disease.
Black pepper has also been shown to enhance the power of memory.
2.
HERBS
Phytochemicals
are even more concentrated in herbs. Ayurvedic herbs that are
traditionally known to improve memory are Brahmi(Bacopa monnieri),
Ustukhudas(Lavandula stoechas), Vacha(Acorus calamus). These are medhya
herbs, which means that they improve the coordination between dhi
(learning), dhriti (retention) and smriti (long-term memory). Shankapushpi
is another medhya herb that is revered in the ayurvedic tradition. The
whole plants are more beneficial because they contain a synergistic
combination of phytochemicals.
Brahmi--How
It Works
Two
chemicals in bacopa, bacosides A and B, improve the transmission of
impulses between nerve cells in your brain. These bacosides regenerate
synapses and repair damaged neurons, making it easier to learn and
remember new things. Bacopa also increases level of serotonin, a brain
chemical known to promote relaxation. The herb's ability to boost brain
function while reducing anxiety may explain why it helps treat ADHD.
Reference
of a study related to memory boosting effect of Brahmi is as below:
Neuropsychopharmacology
(2002)
Chronic
Effects of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) on Human Memory
Steven
Roodenrys Ph.D, Dianne Booth MSc, Sonia Bulzomi G.Dip.App.Psyc, Andrew
Phipps G.Dip.App.Psyc, Caroline Micallef G.Dip.App.Psyc and Jaclyn Smoker
G.Dip.App.Psyc
Department
of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Woolongong, Australia
ABSTRACT:
A
study is reported on the effects of Brahmi (Bacopa monniera) on human
memory. There were three
testing sessions: one prior to the trial, one after three months on the
trial, and one six weeks after the completion of the trial. The results
show a significant effect of the Brahmi on a test for the retention of new
information. Follow-up tests showed that the rate of learning was
unaffected, suggesting that Brahmi decreases the rate of forgetting of
newly acquired information. Tasks assessing attention, verbal and visual
short-term memory and the retrieval of pre-experimental knowledge were
unaffected. Questionnaire measures of everyday memory function and anxiety
levels were also unaffected.
Ayurveda
India has formulated a memory enhancing capsule with certain combinations
of these herbs- with the name - MEDHA .This is to be taken 1
morning and 1 evening.It is also helpful in the treatment of Depression
and Stress.
3.
FATS
In
the past 20 years we have been told over and over that fat is bad for you.
Not only is this fat-free diet impossible to sustain for more than a week,
it is actually damaging to the brain and body. Fat is necessary for memory
to function.
It
is important is to eat high-quality fats. The brain can only use the most
intelligent of foods. Ayurveda recommends ghee, which contains
brain-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids and other good fats. It is not only
medhya, nourishing to the mind and memory, but is called smritida, which
means memory giving.
Olive oil is a healthy monounsaturated fat that is also nourishing to the
brain. Olive oil should never be heated to high temperatures, as that
destroys its beneficial qualities.
Fats to avoid: hydrogenated fats, which raise bad cholesterol, are found in most packaged foods today and are not digestible by the body; polyunsaturated fats such as corn oil or safflower oil as these are unstable and create excessive free radicals; and canola oil, which is often genetically engineered and should only be eaten if organic.
4. SLEEP
Exciting
new research shows that sleep improves memory. In fact, it is while the
brain is sleeping that it works the hardest--rehearing newly learned
information, storing memory files, converting information to long-term
memory.
In one Canada study, students who slept the night before the exam
significantly out-performed students who stayed awake and crammed. So
important is sleep that researchers at Harvard Medical School now suggest
that after learning a new skill, it's best to sleep on it. Sleeping for
six to eight hours after learning apparently helps the brain transfer new
skills and information to its permanent memory banks.
5.
EXERCISE
While
a good night's sleep helps us retain what we learn, it's equally important
to get physical exercise during the day. Exercise helps us to breathe
deeply, which is another way to oxygenate brain cells and flush out
toxins. You can stop and take deep breaths throughout the day, or practice
Vedic breathing exercises called Pranayama to re-charge your memory.
Like all recommendations ,how much exercise you do depends on your body constitution and imbalances. Kapha types, especially, need more intense exercise than others to keep their mind and body at peak performance. For most people, a brisk walk once a day is a good place to start. Breathe through your nose to direct the oxygen to your brain. Always stay in your comfort zone, stopping or slowing down when you feel the need to breathe through your mouth, or start to sweat on your forehead or tip of your nose.
6.
YOGA
Yoga
asanas are an excellent way to tone the memory. These gentle stretches
direct the blood to the brain and cleanse the organs and channels of
toxins, helping to increase communication between the mind and body.
Home
Remedies
that can help improve your memory:
- Take
1 teaspoon ghee (clarified butter) or olive oil on empty
stomach in the morning every day with warm herbal tea
- Eat
2-3 teaspoon of ALMOND BUTTER twice a day
- Take
one avocado every day for its antioxidant properties that prevent
memory loss
You
may consult our Ayurveda experts through on
line consultation or personally.
HERB
OF THE MONTH: GINKGO
BILOBA
In
the last 30 years, more that 300 studies have given clinical evidence that
ginkgo prevents and benefits many problems throughout the entire body.
Ginkgo is gaining recognition as a brain tonic that enhances memory
because of its positive effects on the vascular system, especially in the
cerebellum. It is also used as a treatment for vertigo, tinnitus (ringing
in the ears) and a variety of neurological disorders and circulation
problems. Ginkgo may help to counteract the effects of aging, including
mental fatigue and lack of energy.
Ginkgo
works by increasing blood flow to the brain and throughout the body's
network of blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the organ
systems. It increases metabolism efficiency, regulates neurotransmitters,
and boosts oxygen levels in the brain which uses 20% of the body's oxygen.
Benefits
of enhanced circulation in the brain include improved short and long term
memory, increased reaction time and improved mental clarity. Ginkgo is
often used to treat elderly persons with Alzheimer's and other symptoms of
cerebral insufficiency. Cerebral insufficiency is a general term for a
collection of symptoms that include difficulties of concentration and
memory, absentmindedness, confusion, lack of energy, depressive mood,
anxiety, dizziness, tinnitus, and headache.
Ginkgo
constituents are beneficial for a variety of imbalances and deterioration
in the brain and body. Standardized ginkgo extract inhibits platelet
activity factor (PAF), which is a common allergen in the body. Physical
stress, and poor quality food can overstimulate PAF production; in other
words, blood clotting. Excessive PAF can help cause cardiovascular
disease, brain damage, hearing disorders and other immune and inflammatory
diseases.
Ginkgo
has been used to relieve tension and anxiety and improve mental alertness,
elevate mood and restore energy.
Ginkgo
has two groups of active substances, flavonoids and terpene lactones,
including ginkgolides A, B, and C, bilobalide, quercetin, and kaempferol.
The ginkgolides have been shown to control allergic inflammation,
anaphylactic shock and asthma.
Ginkgo
also acts as a powerful antioxidant and contributes to the oxidation of
free radicals which are believed to contribute to premature aging and
dementia. Antioxidants also protect the eyes, cardiovascular system and
central nervous system.
BEAUTY TIPS: TO PREVENT CHAPPED LIPS
Ø
Mix
2 drops of glycerine with 1 tsp of cream on the top of milk and
apply to lips to cure
the
chapped lips and keep overnight to get smooth and shiny lips.
Ø
Mix
equal quantities of nutmeg, turmeric, and fresh butter and apply to
lips.
Ø
Hot
water fomentation, followed by a mixture of Vaseline and honey
applied on the lips at least thrice a week will prevent lips
from chapping
For
personalized beauty related queries mail to: beauty@ayurplanet.com
FORTHCOMING
EVENTS:
EVENT : MEDIFEST' 06
Organiser :Vantage medifest pvt ltd
Date(s)
: 22- 24 Dcember 2006
Contact : 91(172)-2613702
WEB: www.vantagemedifest.com
EMAIL: info@vantagemedifest.com
NEWS:
Ayurveda
India clinic in UK
In
the Light of spreading Ayurveda throughout the world we have started with
another Ayurveda clinic project in Europe this month . This centre
provides the consultation, Ayurveda treatments and Ayurveda education.
Dr.Raghunandan Sharma is in UK for the developments of this endeovour. He
can be reached at ayurplanet@gmail.com
AYURVEDA
INDIA
An International Herbal Treatment and Panchakarma Centre,
H-38 ;South Extension -I,
New Delhi -110049
Phone: 00 91 11 24648034 / 24641132
Website: www.ayurplanet.com
Email: ayur@ayurplanet.com
Our
European Centre:AGN
; Dr.A.K.Mehta
;2521 ZL ;Thijsse straat 16;Denhaag;The Netherlands.
www.agn-ayurveda.com
; E mail: info@agn-ayurveda.com
AYURVEDA
UK LTD;Dr.R.N.Sharma110,Rutland
road; Southall; Middlesex,
UB1 2XS.UK.PH-02085783780/07737074821