Top 10 Spices to Boost Brainpower

 

You may have heard suggestions like using meditation, deep breathing, brainwave entrainment, visualization, and several other exercises to harness your brain’s potential and promote mental clarity.
But did you know that diet plays an important role in how well your brain works? What you eat influences your cognitive functioning. In fact, the herbs and spices in your kitchen spice rack can be very helpful in enhancing your memory and brainpower.

1. Turmeric

Adding turmeric to your food can help keep your brain sharp. Turmeric contains a chemical called curcumin that reduces plaques in the brain that are linked to Alzheimer’s disease. It also slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease due to its potent antioxidant properties.
Curcumin also improves memory and has an antidepressant effect. Moreover, a recent study in India indicates that this active ingredient also protects against alcohol-induced brain damage.

2. Thyme

Thyme is great for supporting brain health. Studies have revealed that the volatile oils in this herb increase the levels of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in the brain.
Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for the brain because they protect against age-related cognitive decline or dementia. They also improve learning and memory.
Plus, DHA ensures proper functioning and development of the brain cells. Thyme also contains flavonoids that increase its antioxidant capacity.

3. Oregano

Oregano is highly effective in neutralizing free radicals due to its high concentration of antioxidants. A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that taking an extract from oregano leaves can help enhance mental well-being and regulate mood.
The study demonstrated that the compounds in this herb inhibit the reuptake and degradation of monoamine neurotransmitters, which are involved in modulating your mood, anxiety, cognition, sleep and appetite. Thus, oregano can help decrease anxiety and improve learning and concentration.
Apart from including this spice in cooking, you can use oregano essential oil as aromatherapy to relieve stress and calm your nerves.

4. Rosemary

Due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, rosemary helps fight off free-radical damage in the brain. Carnosic acid, a phytochemical present in this herb, is particularly good for protecting the brain from a stroke and neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
It also stimulates nerve growth factor synthesis, thereby reversing nerve cell damage. In addition, it improves brain functioning by increasing circulation in the brain.

5. Sage

Sage is excellent for better brain functioning and boosting memory recall. It also contains carnosic acid that stops free-radical damage in the brain.
Plus, it increases the production of the anti-aging antioxidant glutathione, which is used to treat a number of neurological disorders including Alzheimer’s, autism, and others.
Furthermore, the compounds present in this herb prevent the breakdown of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine that is involved in memory and learning.
Extracts of sage with terpenoid constituents have been shown to improve cognitive function. So, to boost your brainpower, add more sage to your soups, stews, and salad dressings, or simply drink sage tea.

6. Black Pepper

Black pepper and other plants in the Piperaceae family contain a pungent compound called piperine that increases beta-endorphins in the brain and boosts cognitive function. Beta-endorphins have neurotransmitter qualities that improve your mood and promote feelings of relaxation.
This active compound also inhibits an enzyme that breaks down serotonin. Thus, it is believed to be helpful in the treatment of mood disorders. Plus, researchers believe that black pepper can help prevent and treat Parkinson’s disease as well because piperine inhibits an enzyme that degrades dopamine.
 
How To Help An Overtaxed BrainLifestyle choices make a big difference in your mental resilience. Poor food and unhealthy daily practices are an unnecessary burden to your body including your brain – like trying to jog with 50 pound weights.
However, we all know that our circumstances are less than ideal and that we cannot always make ideal choices
Medicinal herbs can overcome excessive amounts of stress and lifestyle challenges to help you function at your best. Here is a list of herbs for the brain that will help you get rid of those 50 pound weights.

6 Top Brain Herbs

1. Brahmi is the top herb for rejuvenating the brain and nervous system. It helps the left and right sides of the brain to work together. Brahmi improves all aspects of mental functioning including the ability to learn new information, to retain what we learn and our ability to remember.Brahmi packs a double whammy of benefits because it supports our intelligence while reducing the effects of stress on the brain. It offers 4 primary benefits:
   • improved capacity for attention and focus,
   • improved ability to withstand emotional stress
   • reduction in nervousness and anxiety
   • improved immune system function.
   Brahmi also helps with insomnia, helps prevent senility, and heals adrenal grands debilitated by stress which can lead to adrenal burnout. Although brahmi is sometimes called gotu kola in english, gotu kola is actually a different herb.
2. Gotu kola is another herb that has high impact on brain functioning.  Known as mandukaparni in sanskrit, it also balances the brain and helps all aspects of brain functioning, but is best known for its ability to improve blood circulation and memory.
3. Ashwaghandha is another top herb for the brain. It reduces the effects of overwork and is one of the best for promoting mental clarity and cognitive functioning. It boosts the brain’s memory and is very helpful in supporting the immune system.Ashwaghandha does wonders for nervous exhaustion and protects the brain against brain cell deterioration.  It is an important protective herb.
4. Vacha which means “speech” is an important herb for the brain.  It promotes better concentration, clarity and speech. It has a stimulating effect which means that it treats depression and mental sluggishness. Vacha promotes mental clarity and a strong memory at the same time it detoxifies brain tissues.
5. Tagara known as Indian valerian helps emotional and nervous conditions.
6. Tulsi oxygenates the brain and improves circulation which improves feelings of well-being and mental cognition.

Ayurveda’s Turmeric Milk, Skin Salve And Face Wash.

Turmeric: The Multipurpose Super Herb

The curative properties of turmeric have lent it to be used as a spice in Indian recipes and medicine in Ayurveda for thousands of years. The healthy nutrients of milk team up perfectly with the anti-inflammatory qualities of turmeric. Turmeric milk or Haldi ka doodh (haldi means turmeric, doodh means milk) brings this sweet nectar onto the favorite’s list of healing rasāyanas of many traditional yogis and Ayurvedic Consultants.

The 6 Tastes:

In Ayurvedic cooking we want to make sure we deliver all six tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, astringent, and pungent) in every meal.  This balances the doshas which leads to less imbalance and sickness. What I find is that I can eat about 1/3 as much food and feel a sense of satiation when all the tastes are included in my meal. That is such a good thing in this day and age of the giant plate meals. But it also explains why those giant plate meals even exist. In a meal that isn’t well planned to offer all 6 tastes, we continue to eat hoping that we will eventually, if we eat enough, find enough of these tastes and then be satisfied. Sometimes we do, sometimes we don’t, but either way, we are eating far too many calories.
It is sometimes difficult to get all the tastes into one meal. One of the easiest ways to meet this requirement is to use spices. For instance turmeric supplies the bitter, pungent, and astringent tastes with just one spice. These are sometimes the three harder tastes to add to a meal.  It is a heating spice thought to help in diabetes and also promotes good digestion. Turmeric increases vata and pitta if too much is consumed, and relieves kapha.

Ways to consume Turmeric:

Milk is a great delivery system for turmeric whether you are using it internally or externally. Adding turmeric to milk increases milks own antioxidant qualities. Milk fights free radicals that damage skin, making it lose its elasticity and glow. Milk also strengthens bones, which helps with osteoporosis and arthritis (joint inflammation and pain). Consuming the drink twice a day before meals will ease morning stiffness, reduce pain and swelling in the joint. But it’s the anti-inflammatory qualities that make turmeric milk a favorite for soothing sore throats and calming coughs. Raw organic honey is often added not only for taste but for its own powerful anti-oxidant, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties.  Raw honey is known in the Ayurveda world as being a prabhava, a term which means the unexplainable special effect of a substance, that cannot be explained by rasa (taste), virya (the quality of energy released by an herb or food after eating), or vipāka (the final post-digestive effect of food that occurs in the colon and has an action on the excreta.) Being the scientist that I am, this was not a hard concept for me to understand, just a hard one to explain on paper, so thank you Brian Brink, one of my Ayurvedic teachers from Kripalu for that definition.

Here are some recipes for you to try:

Basic Turmeric Milk Recipe

Ingredients:
½” of fresh ginger grated
½ tsp. dried turmeric powder or 1 inch piece fresh turmeric
1 cup whole milk
½ cup filtered water
1 Tbls raw honey, or to taste
Method:
Place all ingredients except honey into a pan and simmer for 20 minutes. Let stand for 15 minutes to seep. Rewarm if needed and then add the honey. Once the honey has been stirred in, strain and sip.

Sore Throat Soothing Turmeric Milk Recipe

Ingredients:
½ tsp. dried turmeric powder
1 tsp ginger minced
¼ cup water
Method:
Top off the cup with milk and heat the mixture for a few minutes until the milk almost boils. If you want to add peppercorns, which is thought to improve the absorption of the turmeric you can also add that to the mixture before heating. Other flavors can be achieved by adding a few pods of cardamom (cracked) and a pinch of saffron to the milk/water concoction before boiling.

Cough Turmeric Milk Recipe

Ingredients:
1 cup milk
Sugar to taste
½ tsp. ajwain (carom seeds)
¼ tsp. turmeric powder
Method:
Add milk and sugar to pan and heat until sugar dissolves. Set aside. Take ajwain and roast in a non-stick pan for a few minutes until brown. Add to the ajwain mixture the turmeric and stir. Add to the warmed milk, mix well, strain, and sip while warm.

The Ultimate Turmeric Milk Recipe

Ingredients:
2 cups fresh whole milk
½-1 tsp of turmeric powder
2-3 whole peppercorns
2-3 cardamom pods cracked
½ inch ginger, roughly chopped
½ tsp ghee (not if you are experiencing mucus)
Pinch of saffron, optional
Honey or jaggery for taste
Method:
Heat the milk along with the spices for 2-3 minutes or until the milk is almost boiling. Add sweetener to taste, let cool until warm and strain and serve.

Sleepy-time Turmeric

Use the basic turmeric milk recipe and add nutmeg. Nutmeg helps you sleep.

Turmeric Honey

Ingredients:
9 Tsp dried turmeric powder
½ Tsp freshly ground black pepper (grind it finely)
½ Tsp dried ginger powder
Raw organic honey
Method:
Mix turmeric, pepper and ginger thoroughly.  Start adding a liquid honey into the powder.  It helps to warm the honey (not cook, just warm) which allows it to absorb better.  Whipped versions of honey or old honey that has begun to crystallize will not work, the honey needs to be runny.  Stir, slowly adding the honey until all the powder is dissolved and you have a thick paste.  The amount will vary depending on the moisture content of the honey.  Store turmeric honey in an airtight jar.

Turmeric Milk (Non Dairy)

Ingredients:
8 ounces almond or coconut milk
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2-inch wide round slice of ginger root, peeled and finely chopped
Dash of cayenne pepper
1/2 – 1 teaspoon honey (or molasses as suggested by my dear friend and yoga teacher Shari)
Optional additions: a tsp ghee, cinnamon, cardamom
Method:
Gently warm the almond or coconut milk on the stove. In a mug, combine the remaining ingredients. Drizzle a teaspoon of the warmed milk into the mug and mix until the liquid is smooth with no lumps. Add the rest of the milk and mix well. You can leave the pieces of ginger in the tea, or strain it out before drinking.

External Use of Turmeric

Turmeric Paste

Turmeric Paste for Psoriasis

Turmeric is now gaining attention in the Western scientific community for the treatment of various conditions, including psoriasis. According to the journal Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric responsible for inhibiting skin growth factors that lead to psoriasis scales.  It has also been used in face wash and face mask concoctions for years to help with acne.
Turmeric Paste Recipe
Ingredients:
¼ cup of turmeric powder
2 ½ cups of water.
Method:
To make turmeric paste, stir and bring to a boil. Simmer over medium–high heat and stir constantly until it reaches a thick honey-like paste consistency. If it gets too dry while cooking add some water. Once cool, transfer the contents into an airtight glass container or jar. It can be stored in the refrigerator up to about a month.
To use, spread a thin layer of turmeric paste onto the psoriasis-affected areas of skin, before bedtime. Use enough paste so that you cannot see the underlying skin, but not so much that the paste is falling off. Wrap a piece of gauze around the skin treated with turmeric paste to keep the paste in place. Leave the turmeric paste on your skin, covered with the gauze, overnight. Remove the gauze and wash the turmeric paste off of your skin using warm water.
Turmeric permanently stains porous surfaces, such as plastic and clothing. It temporarily stains the skin, giving it a light yellow to orange color. Stains on the skin gradually fade over a few days’ time.

Turmeric Face Wash and Mask

India’s brides have been using this recipe for years to give them beautiful radiant skin on their wedding day. But you don’t have to be walking down the aisle to gain the benefits from this face mask. It not only will brighten the skin, but will also help with acne and age spots.
Turmeric Face Wash Recipe
Ingredients:
¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder
¼ teaspoon of neem
A few drops of coconut oil
Method:
To make this recipe, place the turmeric and neem in a small bowl and mix well. Then place a small amount in the palm of your hand and add coconut oil, drop by drop until you reach the desired consistency. Apply the turmeric paste onto your face and neck beginning at the forehead and moving down, making sure to avoid the eye area. For face wash, gently massage over face for about 30 seconds.  It is a little gritty so be gentle.  Rinse face with cool water.  To use as a mask, let the paste dry, it takes about 20 minutes. Wash off the mask with warm water and then after all paste has been removed, splash your face with cold water. Gently dry with a soft, clean towel.

I am sure this is not the last word on turmeric. But for now, hopefully this information will give you a way to invite turmeric into your lives. My mission always is that you live healthy and happy every day, and if anything that you have learned from me helps you do that, then well I have done my job.