As we age, the health of our brain becomes more and more important. In today’s video I’m going to discuss brain health and remedies we can use to improve our overall cognition and memory.
Supporting overall brain health is always a good idea considering how much the brain does for us everyday! Good memory is connected to many complex systems and so its important to say that there are many different reasons for memory loss and many directions I could go in to discuss this topic. But for the purposes of this video I thought I would discuss overall brain health and a few really important and impactful things you can do if you’ve been experiencing brain fog or just general poor memory.
There are a number of diet and lifestyle changes, and herbal remedies you can use to boost cognition. Watch the video to learn more:
Remedies for Memory and Brain Health
First, meditation can be extremely powerful when it comes to boosting clarity in the mind. There are many studies that show the positive effect of meditation on brain and memory functioning. There are many types of meditation out there, and there isn’t one specific type that out shines the rest. Even within traditional teachings its much more important that the student finds a technique that works for them and then sticks with it. Many people find that simply sitting quietly and observing the breath is an effective practice. But I’d also encourage you to explore and try out different types of meditation. Join a local class or find some guided classes online.
If you want to start a daily meditation practice I suggest deciding on a time of day and making it a non-negotiable (like brushing your teeth). Don’t set a goal that will be unattainable. Instead choose a short amount of time like 5 or 10min. and then slowly work your way up to 20 or 30 min a day over the course of a few weeks or a month. Try these audio mediations on my site to get started.
Remember your brain and the sheathing that wraps around the nerves is basically fat so be sure to increase high quality fats, especially omega 3’s to support your brain. This is foods like avocados, nuts, seeds and cold water fish. You could take a supplement as well.
In Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda (the medical system of yoga) fogginess in the brain and difficulty with memory and cognition is oftentimes due to either a buildup of toxic phlegm or “ama”, or its due to a deficiency. Either way, we want to increase circulation and support any depletion.
There are many factors when it comes to brain health but its clear that lifestyle can make a huge difference. Maintain healthy blood sugar balance, eat an anti-inflammatory diet with lots of hydration, get plenty of sleep, and minimize stress.
Lion's Mane Mushroom
Lions mane is a deeply supportive mushroom for the brain. Studies have shown that lions mane improves brain function and helps with nerve regeneration. This has serious implications for diseases like dementia and Alzheimers. It also deeply supports the immune system, helps to heal the digestion, and is overall very building. Lions mane has been used as a food dish in Asia for a very long time and there are no known contraindications at this time. Its fairly safe and can be used long term.
Gotu Kola
Gotu Kola is another plant that has been used for thousands of years as a way to clarify the mind. It works on the nervous system helping to calm anxiety without making you sleepy and it helps to support people who are experiencing premature aging. Its known to increase memory and longevity and it supports the immune system. Check with your doctor if your pregnant or you’re taking other medications.
And finally, you’ll also want to check out my video on adaptogenic herbs to learn more about supporting the body when under stress.
I hope that gives you some ideas on how to support your beautiful brain! Let me know in the comments below if you enjoyed the video.
