Today I want to talk about some amazing herbs that can be used for Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects memory, cognition, and behavior. It is the most common cause of dementia and affects millions of people worldwide. We will talk about some natural remedies that can help slow down its progression and improve the quality of life of patients and caregivers.
How to Use Ayurvedic Herbs for Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects memory, cognition, and behavior. It is the most common cause of dementia in older adults, and there is no cure for it. However, some natural remedies may help slow down the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life of the patients and their caregivers. One of these remedies is Ayurveda, the ancient system of medicine from India.
Ayurveda is based on the principle of balance between the three doshas or energies: vata (air), pitta (fire), and Kapha (water). When these doshas are in harmony, the body and mind are healthy. When they are out of balance, diseases occur. According to Ayurveda, Alzheimer’s disease is mainly caused by an imbalance of vata dosha, which leads to degeneration of the brain cells and impairment of the nervous system.
Ayurveda offers various herbs that can help balance vata dosha and protect the brain from oxidative stress, inflammation, and amyloid plaques. These herbs also have neuroprotective, memory-enhancing, and anti-aging properties. Here are some of the most effective Ayurvedic herbs for Alzheimer’s disease:
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Ashwagandha is a tonic for the nervous system. It performs antioxidant activity and plays an important role in stress management. Ashwagandha can be used in patients with Alzheimer’s disease because it increases memory and learning ability. It also increases the cholinergic activity, which is essential for cognitive function. As per recent research, Ashwagandha has the ability to stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) production and enhance synaptic plasticity in the brain.
Haridra (Curcuma longa)
Haridra is commonly used as a spice in Asian cuisine. It has active components such as turmerone oil and water-soluble curcuminoids. Curcumin is the main curcuminoid that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Haridra helps to balance cholesterol levels, fight against allergens, and boost immunity. In recent studies, oral supplementation of curcumin in a dose of 4 gm/day was found safe and effective in improving cognitive function and mood in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.
Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)
Brahmi is a tonic for the nervous system and the heart. It is also used in diseases such as epilepsy, asthma, and anxiety. The major constituent of Brahmi is saponins and triterpenoid bacosides. Brahmi can improve memory and cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease by enhancing acetylcholine levels, reducing oxidative stress, modulating amyloid-beta aggregation, and increasing cerebral blood flow.
Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia)
Guduchi is an immunomodulator that can enhance the body’s defense mechanism against infections and toxins. It also has memory-enhancing and neuroprotective properties. Guduchi can help in Alzheimer’s disease by increasing acetylcholine synthesis, reducing neuroinflammation, and preventing neuronal death.
Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis)
Shankhpushpi is a nervine tonic that can regulate adrenaline and cortisol levels. It can be used for stress, anxiety, mental fatigue, and insomnia. Shankhpushpi can also improve memory and cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease by increasing acetylcholine levels, reducing oxidative stress, and enhancing neurogenesis.
Jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculatus)
Jyotishmati is a herb that can sharpen memory and increase concentration. It has antioxidant properties and can protect the brain from free radical damage. The extract of Jyotishmati seeds has cholinergic activity and can enhance cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease.
Conclusion
Ayurvedic herbs can be a natural alternative or adjunct to conventional treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. They can help balance vata dosha, protect the brain from damage, enhance memory and cognition, and improve quality of life. However, before using any herb, consult your doctor for proper dosage, safety precautions, and possible interactions with other medications.
We Like to Thank Dr.Akshika Dhiman an Ayurvedic Doctor for their contribution.
There are many other herbs that can help with Alzheimer’s disease, such as green tea, lemon balm, sage, turmeric, and more. I will write more about them in future posts. For now, I hope you learned something new and useful from this blog post. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more!