Herbs for Brain

Question 1

Key actions for the nervous system

Answer 1

• Nootropic: Enhances brain function e.g., rosemary.
• Nervine: Relaxes the nervous system e.g., lavender.
• Thymoleptic: Lifts the mood e.g., St John’s wort.
• Sedative: Relaxes the nerves and promotes sleep e.g., valerian.
• Anxiolytic: Alleviates anxiety e.g., passionflower.

Question 2

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

Answer 2

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba):

• Parts used: Leaves. Products Intake: 2 as tsps. per daily. label.
• Energetics: Neutral.
• Key constituents: Flavonoids, diterpenes.
• Actions and uses: Antioxidant, neuroprotective,
  nootropic, circulatory stimulant (↑ microcirculation), tissue perfusion enhancing (antagonises ‘Platelet Activating Factor’ by blocking receptors — causing vasodilation, protecting against ischaemia); ↑ memory and concentration; Alzheimer’s (anti-amyloid), vascular dementia; Raynaud’s, erectile dysfunction, asthma, tinnitus.

Safety: Caution with anti-clotting drugs; stop 1 week pre-surgery.

Question 3

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Answer 3

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia):

• Parts used: Flowers.
• Energetics: Warm, bitter.
• Key constituents: Volatile oils.
• Actions and uses: Nervine, anti-depressant, anxiolytic (the essential oil interacts with the limbic system — it is thought to inhibit NMDA and SERT, ↑ serotonin and calming excitatory neuron activity), antispasmodic, carminative, antimicrobial (e.g. candida); depression, anxiety, insomnia, PMS, GI bloating, stress headaches.
• Intake: 3–6 g / day dried flower (infusion). Essential oil (e.g. baths).
• Safety: Avoid in pregnancy, breast feeding

Question 4

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

Answer 4

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata):

• Parts used: Leaves, flowers.
• Energetics: Neutral.
• Key constituents: Flavonoids, alkaloids.
• Actions and uses: Anxiolytic (mediated via the GABAergic system; inhibits MAO-A), antispasmodic, mild sedative, hypnotic; insomnia, anxiety with ‘circular thinking’, agitation, tension headache, nervous tachycardia, neuralgia, drug and alcohol withdrawal (by alleviating anxiety/insomnia), muscle pain / spasms.
• Intake: 1–2 tsps. day dried herb 2–3 x per day (infusion).
• Safety: Avoid in pregnancy and lactation.

Question 5

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Answer 5

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis):

Intake: 1-2 tsp

• Parts used: Leaves, twigs. dried herb x 3
• Energetics: Warm. daily (infusion).
• Key constituents: Volatile oils, flavonoids.
• Actions and uses: Circulatory stimulant, cardiotonic, nootropic, carminative, antispasmodic, antioxidant (reduces lipid peroxidation), antimicrobial (with anti-biofilm properties on various microbes incl. C.albicans and E.faecalis), hepatoprotective (↑ Nrf2 expression); to improve memory, concentration or mental performance (cerebral circulation), tension headache.
• Safety: Avoid high doses in pregnancy.

Question 6

St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)

Answer 6

St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum): * Parts used: Leaves, flowering tops.

• Energetics: Cool, bitter.

Intake: 2 tsp infused x 3 cups daily, or as per label.

• Key constituents: Hypericin, hyperforin, flavonoids.
• Actions and uses: Antidepressant (MAO and COMT inhibitor; GABA antagonist), nervine tonic, antiviral, vulnerary, antimicrobial (topically); mild to moderate depression, anxiety, irritability, anti-viral (e.g. herpes simplex, shingles, HIV), neuralgia, sciatica, insomnia.
• Safety: Not suitable as sole treatment in severe depression, care with sun exposure (possible photosensitivity at ↑ doses), can ↑ liver clearance of a range of drugs incl. OCP. Avoid with antidepressants.