memory-improvementMemory enhancement is something for which we all wish. Students hope to find some holy grail of memory enhancement to help with their studies and test preparation, the elderly seek memory enhancement to return to the mental acuity they felt in their younger days, and all people in between hope to improve upon the abilities they already have. Truly, unlocking the secrets involved in enhancing one’s memory is a destination we would all love to arrive at.

Many people take up various brain training exercises when trying to enhance their memory. Crossword puzzles are a very popular exercise, as maintaining and enhancing memory is a “use it or lose it” proposition. Other exercises one can do for memory enhancement and retention is to switch up the way one does various activities; if you play baseball, you can try batting or pitching with your non-dominant hand. Need an activity you can do at home? Brush your teeth with your opposite hand or try to shower with your eyes closed. Another way to aid in memory enhancement is to make notes and lists of the things you need to remember – write it down! Committing ideas to paper makes your brain think about those ideas in a different way; the more notes you take, the less you will actually have to refer to those notes to call up the ideas.

In addition to these exercises, some people choose to take herbal memory enhancement medication. Most popular in recent years has been ginkgo biloba, which you can now buy at almost any herbal medication store or pharmacy. In the last few years, however, studies have shown that ginkgo biloba does not contain the memory enhancement properties it was once thought to hold. Ginkgo has been proven to be ineffective against disorders like dementia, and diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. While ginkgo may still have positive health benefits (further studies are being done), it appears as though ginkgo biloba is no longer the memory enhancement super drug it was once thought to be.

But for those who are looking for an herbal supplement to take in addition to the various brain training exercises they do, or for those who do not have the time in their busy schedules to fit it specific exercises and activities, there is hope. The Celastrus seed, a medicinal herb that has been used successfully in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, is on the forefront of memory enhancement studies. Studies of Celastrus are pointing to its efficacy in cognitive retention, increased learning, and memory enhancement. Compared to ginkgo biloba, this cultural and historical herb has been found to better improve one’s concentration and improve the speed at which one learns. For people searching for an herbal alternative to memory enhancement, the Celastrus seed is the first place they should look.