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Herbs for Brain Power!
In our fast-paced and demanding world, we need to be switched ON 24/7. Maintaining focus and concentration day in day out whilst avoiding doom scrolling, the news and processed food, plus, getting enough exercise, paying the bills and keeping up with family/life is a mind-bending challenge! Add hormones to the mix and you might be fearful you have got a degenerative brain disease – as you forget where you have put your car keys/wallet/diary for the 17th time that day, and cannot find the word for……
Help is on hand in the form of our green friends – who alongside good nutrition and other bio hacks (as the hip n cool posse call it) – can support you to enhance cognitive abilities and sharpening your mental focus.
In this article, we explore some of our tried and tested herbs for concentration and focus – ones we have worked with for over 20 years with multiple patients in clinical practice and ones we’ve seen great results from being prescribed. Results like improved concentration, better mental clarity and generally vastly enriched sense of well-being.
The Connection Between Herbs and Concentration
Ashwaganda
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a shrub of the nightshade family. We cultivate this attractive herb in pots that can be overwintered in a greenhouse, as this venerable herb deeply-rooted in the ancient traditions of Ayurveda, has travelled from much warmer climes. Native to the dry regions of India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa, it’s best to protect this plant from our wet freezing winters.
Also known as Indian ginseng or winter cherry, ashwagandha thrives in arid conditions and has a unique ability to withstand stressors – this signature in herbs show us the resilience of the plant that can be gifted to the person taking the medicine. This plant can strengthen and fortify us, giving us extra tools to deal with stressors. Ashwagandha helps to modulate the body’s stress response, by reducing cortisol levels. The roots of this shrub is what we turn into tinctures that contain a variety of potent bioactive compounds, including anolides, alkaloids, and steroidal lactones. Research indicates that the herb has neuroprotective effects, influencing neurotransmitters like gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to promote a calming effect.
Rhodiola
Rhodiola Rosea (Rose Root) is a dense leafy, remarkable herb native to the mountainous areas of the arctic, Europe and Asia. We cultivate Rhodiola in our gardens – she became very fashionable in the 70’s as a rockery plant, but out there in nature, she loves to grow high up at altitude and can be found after a trek up the hills! We were overjoyed to find a plant at about 1900 m in the Alps one year, but we have been told that some have found Rhodiola growing up in the Scottish hills too. This plant is super hardy and well adapted to survive in harsh climates, thus known for resilience in extreme conditions – this quality is transferred to us humans as we take the medicinal gifts from this tinctures and teas of this herb.
Rhodiola has been prescribed for centuries in Russian and Scandinavian folk medicine to combat stress, fatigue, enhance memory and promote vitality, and is a key herb for concentration and focus.
Rhodiola Rosea is classified as an adaptogen and has attracted much attention for the ability to improve mental focus and cognitive function. Research suggests that the herb modulates neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, which play crucial roles in mood regulation and cognitive performance. Furthermore, Rhodiola has been associated with increased oxygen utilisation in the brain.
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba is a statuesque tree, a living fossil with a rich history dating back over 200 million years. Native to China, the Ginkgo tree is one of the oldest species on Earth, and has survived virtually unchanged through major extinction events. The tree’s beautiful and distinctive fan-shaped leaves are symbolic of longevity and resilience.
The leaves are jam packed with plant chemicals, including flavonoids and terpenoids, both famed for possessing powerful antioxidant properties. These antioxidants help protect cells from oxidative stress and inflammation.
Ginkgo has always been prescribed for wonderful cognitive benefits, particularly for enhancing mental focus and concentration. The active compounds in Ginkgo improve blood flow to the brain, promoting better oxygenation and nutrient delivery. Additionally, Ginkgo enhances neural activity by influencing neurotransmitter function.
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