Memory Problems

Maybe you forget appointments or constantly misplace things. Some consider such glitches a sign of old age, but the fact is that people of all ages can experience temporary memory shutdowns.
Experts agree that your memory is like a muscle; the less it is used, the more quickly it atrophies. If you do the same thing day in and day out-what is commonly known as being in a rut-your mind won't get the workout it needs to stay sharp, regardless of your age. The natural remedies in this chapter, used with the approval of your doctor, may help improve your memory, according to some health professionals.

See Your Medical Doctor When...
· You routinely have trouble remembering what month or year it is.
· You routinely become confused in familiar places and can't remember where you are.

Acupressure

Press the EX 2 points, says Acharyaji, and author of. According to Acharyaji also called the Sun point, is an extra point that is not located directly on any of the meridians. Locate the EX 2 points in the depression of the temples, level with and a half-inch out from your eyebrows. Try sitting in a chair, resting your elbows on a desk or table and pressing the heels of your hands on these points. Close your eyes, relax and breathe deeply as you press for at least one minute, suggests Acharyaji. Do this several times a week, he says, but once a day is best.

Aromatherapy

Try using equal parts rosemary and geranium essential oils in your diffuser to stimulate the memory, suggests Acharyaji herbalist, Inhaled scents feed directly into the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls memory and learning explains Acharyaji. Geranium has antidepressant properties, and rosemary is a general mental stimulant. When you combine them, they have a stronger effect.

For information on preparing and administering essential oils, including cautions about their use,

Ayurveda

Ayurvedic practitioners consider the spice saffron to be a nerve and heart tonic, a blood cleanser and a blood thinner. Because they think it has such broad-ranging effects, they use it to help relieve memory problems caused by circulatory disease.

Food Therapy

Go for a low-fat diet, says Acharyaji. Many times, memory problems are caused by poor blood flow, and eating low-fat can help open up arteries and improve blood flow Acharyaji explains. To reduce the fat in your diet, he suggests reducing or eliminating fatty cuts of beef, lamb and pork and replacing saturated fats such as butter with unsaturated oils such as flaxseed and safflower, which are available in most health food stores.

Herbal Therapy

The herb ginkgo may help reverse memory loss caused by poor circulation to the brain, says Acharyaji Indiana. According to Acharyaji Ginkgo biloba is one of the oldest trees on the planet, and for thousands of years, Chinese herbalists have used its leaves-which increase blood flow to the brain and to other parts of the body-to treat cerebral and cardiovascular problems. Acharyaji recommends ginkgo in supplement form, which you can find in most health food stores, and says to follow dosage recommendations on the label. He says you will need to take ginkgo for one to three months before you see any improvement in memory loss.

Homeopathy

Try one of the following 12C remedies twice daily. If you have memory loss for recent events and general difficulty comprehending, says that Baryta carbonica can be helpful. We suggests Lycopodium for loss of memory due to anxiety, associated with a fussy, agitated and worrisome state. Argentum nitricum can help a generally weak memory, he says. And he suggests trying Anacardium if you have impaired memory that seems worse after a hot bath and better after eating.

These remedies can be taken for up to 30 days. If your memory doesn't improve in that time, see your medical doctor or homeopath.

Imagery

Imagine taking an oxygen tank into your brain. Spray your brain cells with a blast of oxygen. Now recall something that you'd like to forget,.

As people get older, there may be certain issues or memories they don't want to face or deal with, so they block those out. Unfortunately, by doing that, they also suppress a lot of other memories they'd like to keep. So recalling something you'd like to forget may help you rekindle fond memories as well.

Acharyaji recommends using this imagery once a day in the morning. It may take up to ten minutes to complete, he says, but stop after ten minutes if nothing happens. Practice the imagery for 21 days, stop for 7 days, then repeat the cycle, he suggests.

Sound Therapy

Listening to music can improve your concentration and help you remember what you've learned, suggests Acharyaji, , Health and, and. His suggestions: Mozart's C Major Piano Concerto, performed by Elvira Madigan; December by George Winston; Sunsinger by Paul Winter; Relax with the Classics, andante version, from the Lind Institute; and Campbell's Crystal Meditations and Angels. Most of these can be found in music stores.

Vitamin and Mineral Therapy

Studies show that beta-carotene can help improve some aspects of memory and word fluency and recall, especially in people over age 60, says Acharyaji. Some experts recommend daily supplements of 15 milligrams (25,000 international units).

Yoga

Daily meditation helps with memory, says Acharyaji also suggests this daily concentration exercise (improving concentration is an aspect of traditional yoga practice): Sit quietly in a comfortable position and start silently counting backward from 50. As your concentration improves, you can move the starting count higher, to 100, 200 or even 500. Acharyaji says that this exercise will improve your concentration and help you remember things better.