Herbs with Cognition-Enhancing Properties: Sage, Lemon Balm & Rosemary: Plant-derived chemicals found in herbal remedies possess cognition-enhancing properties. Several herbal species have been used as treatments for cognitive deficits, including those associated with aging. Particularly promising species include Sage (Salvia officinalis), Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) and Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). Sage extracts possess anti-oxidant, estrogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties, and specifically inhibit butyryl- and acetyl-cholinesterase. Acute administration has been found to reliably improve mnemonic performance in healthy young and elderly cohorts, whilst a chronic regime has been shown to attenuate cognitive declines in sufferers from Alzheimers disease. In a double blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial, sage was found to be effective in the management of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. The strongest active constituents of sage are within its essential oil, which contains cineole, borneol, and thujone. Melissa officinalis extracts bind directly to both nicotinic and muscarinic receptors in human brain tissue. Anxiolytic effects have been demonstrated following acute administration to healthy humans. Chronic regimes of aromatherapy and essential oil respectively have also been shown to reduce agitation and attenuate cognitive declines in sufferers from dementia. Rosemary is well-known for improving memory, and has been used as a symbol for remembrance (for weddings, war commemorations and funerals). One study suggests carnosic acid, found in rosemary, may shield the brain from free radicals, lowering the risk of strokes and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s Disease. Rosemary contains a number of biologically active phytochemicals, including antioxidants, such as rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid. Rosemary antioxidants levels are closely related to soil moisture content. Given the side effect profile of prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors, and a current lack of a well tolerated nicotinic receptor agonists, these herbal treatments may well provide effective and well-tolerated treatments for dementia, either alone, in combination, or as an adjunct to conventional treatments. Sources: Kennedy, David O.; Scholey, Andrew B. The Psychopharmacology of European Herbs with Cognition-Enhancing Properties, Current Pharmaceutical Design, Volume 12, Number 35, December 2006, pp. 4613-4623(11) Akhondzadeh S, Noroozian M, Mohammadi M, Ohadinia S, Jamshidi AH, Khani M. (2003). “Salvia officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease: a double blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial”. J Clin Pharm Ther 28 (1): 53–9. Burnham Institute for Medical Research (2007, November 2). Rosemary Chicken Protects Your Brain From Free Radicals. ScienceDaily from sciencdaily and medspice National Non-Food Crops Centre. NNFCC Project Fact sheet: Assessment and Development of the Supply Chain to Deliver Rosemary Antioxidants to the Food and Pharmaceutical Industries (Defra), NF0609 Journal of Food Science; published on-line ahead of print 1st November 2007, doi: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2007.00569.x “Oregano and Rosemary Extracts Inhibit Oxidation of Long-Chain n-3 Fatty Acids in Menhaden Oil” Authors: S.D. Bhale, Z. Xu, W. Prinyawiwatkul, J.M. King, and J.S. Godber.
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