Find the right herb to help support mental clarity and improve brain health from the inside out
Our minds go through stress on a daily basis due to our work, everyday responsibilities and unhealthy habits. Taking care of your mental well-being has a direct correlation with how you feel physically. Thus, it is important to maintain mental clarity to be able to focus and work efficiently. A number of experts and celebrities have come forth and spoken about the importance and ramifications of mental health as well as how to deal with it. The mind has a very real and potent impact on our overall well-being and can be incredibly affluent. When your mind isn’t clear, you will find yourself getting easily irritable, losing focus and concentration and feeling overly anxious. There are multiple reasons that can contribute to you experiencing brain fog, such as stress, lack of adequate sleep, diet and fast-paced lifestyle. Let’s look at how you can maintain mental clarity and improve degenerative cognitive functions.
Herbs have been a powerful healing agent for centuries now. In traditional Ayurveda, it has been used to soothe and relax the mind as it is believed that the body is the crystallization of the mind. It stipulates that mental ama (toxins) and unresolved emotions can lead to physical troubles in very concrete ways. Overall, the mind is an inevitable and important channel for us to function optimally. Herbs for mental clarity and focus are manifold. They have been around and revered for years and as such, have stood the test of time in their ability to improve focus, boost concentration, minimize stress and anxiety. In scientific terms, herbs for mental clarity are often referred to as nootropics and adaptogens. They may help stabilize and may improve your brain health and cognition. Let’s explore some of these herbs for mental clarity:
Ashwagandha
Also referred to as the Indian ginseng, ashwagandha is a shrub whose various parts have been used for varying purposes in traditional Ayurvedic healing practices. It is an herb for mental clarity that may normalize physiological functions that may be disturbed due to chronic stress. It does this by correcting imbalances in the endocrine and immune systems. The plant is believed to inhibit the formation of beta-amyloid plaques, which are insoluble groups of proteins found between nerve cells (neurons). As an herb for mental clarity, ashwagandha may reduce oxidative stress, improves visual and spatial memory and helps with anxiety by virtue of its calming properties. Withanolides, a compound found in ashwagandha, may improve cognitive function as well. The benefits of this wholesome herb for mental clarity can be absorbed by consuming it in the form of supplements or by brewing a calming and relaxing ashwagandha tea.
Rosemary
A culinary staple and popular therapeutic essential oil, rosemary also happens to be one of the important herbs for mental clarity. Studies suggest that the smell of rosemary has an effect on cognitive functions. In fact, there are compounds in rosemary oil known as 1,8-cineole that may be responsible for changes in memory performance, boosting and improving them. As an important aromatherapy herb, rosemary also helps relieve stress and anxiety. It is said to calm the body and energize the mind and is also said to be packed with antioxidants. One of the primary and easiest ways of absorbing the goodness of this herb for mental clarity, is to use it as an essential oil.
Moringa
As a superfood, moringa is one of the most beneficial herbs for mental clarity. It is chock-full of nutrients such as vitamin B, C and E, which are linked to increased dopamine and serotonin (the ‘happy hormones’) that may help to boost brain health. Its prolific nutrient composition may help combat oxidation that may cause neuron degeneration, thus improving overall brain health, minimizing brain fog and boosting memory and cognitive function. A good cup of moringa tea may help alleviate stress and anxiety and the added bonus is that it does not contain caffeine.
While most herbs have properties that may help boost brain health and clear your mind, it is always recommended to consult your medical professional before overindulging in any herb.
