Memory Problems

Everyone has occasional episodes of forgetfulness. Forgetting a name, date, or other information that seems to be on the tip of the tongue can make a person frustrated. One may forget where one has parked the car or left one’s keys. Such experiences are common to everyone. On the other extreme, a severe form of forgetfulness happens in Alzheimer’s disease, in which one may fail to recognize one’s wife, husband, children, friends, or family members.

Memory problems are often the result of an inadequate supply of nutrients to the brain. Also, as age advances, memory frequently becomes poorer. Alcohol destroys brain cells, so memory loss among alcoholics is quite common. Memory problems may also be due to the use of drugs such as LSD, marijuana, and cocaine, as well as to alcohol abuse. All these can damage the brain tissue and memory will be affected.

According to Ayurvedic principles, memory is recorded on the sensitive film of the nerve cells within the brain, which are of a kapha nature; memory is enlivened and brought back at a proper time by means of vata. Most memory problems are due either to stagnation of kapha or to aggravation of vata dosha, with its light, airy, even spacy qualities. Thus, in order to improve memory, we need to control vata and kapha. Pitta, on the other hand, is sharp and penetrating and supports good memory.

The following recommendations will help you improve your memory and prevent memory loss.

MEMORY FOODS

CARROTS. Carrots, which contain carotene, are good for memory. Carrots also enhance pitta, which brings sharpness of recall. Drink carrot or beet juice, both of which are blood builders and will help improve memory.

KITCHARI FAST. Kitchari is a simple, nourishing dish made essentially of 50 percent basmati rice and 50 percent split yellow mung dal, with some spices usually added for flavor. A five-day kitchari fast, using plain kitchari with just some chopped cilantro leaves added, will cleanse the system and help to strengthen memory. (For more delicious kitchari recipes, use your imagination or consult a cookbook such as Ayurvedic Cooking for Self-Healing by Usha Lad and Vasant Lad; see Bibliography.)

FRUIT FAST. A 3-to 5-day fruit fast, with triphala at night (½ teaspoon steeped for 5 to 10 minutes in a cup of hot water), will sharpen the nervous system and make the brain more capable of investigating deeply into the memory. Note: A fruit fast should not be attempted by anyone who tends to get hypoglycemia.

The following fruits are recommended for the fast:

OTHER FOODS. Additional foods that are helpful for improving memory include sweet potatoes, tapioca, okra (frequently used as a brain tonic), and spinach, which promotes pitta and stimulates memory. Sattvic foods in general are good for memory. Foods traditionally considered most sattvic include fresh fruits and vegetables, almonds, oranges, ghee, and milk. One food that is particularly bad for memory is heavy meat. This should be strictly avoided by anyone with memory problems.

HERBS FOR MEMORY

• Ginkgo and gotu kola have recently been touted as good for improving memory, and indeed they are truly beneficial. Both of these herbs serve to dilate the cerebral blood vessels, increasing circulation to the brain, and are good memory tonics.
• In Ayurveda there are specific herbs known as medhya herbs. Medhya means “that which improves memory.” The first and foremost is brahmi (which is similar to gotu kola). Also, jatamamsi, bhringaraj, and shanka pushpi are valuable for the brain and memory. You can use these herbs separately, or mixed together in equal proportions to make a tea.

brahmi
jatamamsi
bhringaraj
shanka pushpi

Steep 1 teaspoon herbs in 1 cup hot water for 10 minutes, and drink it on an empty stomach in the morning and evening. Continue taking this tea for 1 month to help improve circulation to the brain and eliminate memory problems. If it seems to be beneficial, you can continue using it indefinitely.

• Drink brahmi milk—½ teaspoon brahmi boiled for a couple of minutes in a cup of milk—at bedtime. It will improve your memory remarkably. Add a pinch of saffron for increased benefit. You can drink brahmi milk every day for a month, or continue indefinitely.
• A teaspoon of brahmi ghee, taken 5 to 10 minutes before breakfast and before dinner, also helps.
• Aloe vera gel (1 tablespoon) with a pinch of black pepper and ¼ teaspoon bhringaraj powder, taken 2 or 3 times a day, is also beneficial.

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR GOOD MEMORY

WRITE IT DOWN. Write down important information in order to remember it. Then you can go over it, and over it. Also, make a list of things you want to do or buy. Then you won’t forget the milk or bananas!

DEVELOP A POETIC ATTITUDE. Think in rhymes and rhythms. In the oral traditions of India and other countries, students memorize vast amounts of knowledge that is usually set in rhyme and rhythm.

ASSOCIATE. Use association to aid memory. Suppose somebody tells you his name. Try to associate that name with something familiar. You might even imagine a picture to go along with the sound.

MEDITATION ON FORGETFULNESS. There is an ancient Vedic technique to recapture a lost memory: If you forget something, just sit quietly and stay in the forgetfulness. Breathe into the forgetfulness, and try to dig out the memory. Suddenly it will come back!

OTHER REMEDIES

EXERCISE. Daily walking, especially fast walking if you are fit for it, improves circulation and helps strengthen memory. Walk for half an hour, 5 times a week, Monday to Friday.

YOGA POSTURES. Yoga postures are helpful, especially the inverted poses (Shoulder Stand, Headstand, Plow pose, and Camel pose), which help to bring more blood to the brain. The Bow and Cobra poses are also helpful, as is Savasana, the yogic rest pose. Also do the Sun Salutation, 12 cycles a day.

OIL MASSAGE. Brahmi oil rubbed on the soles of the feet and on the scalp stimulates cerebral neural receptors under the skin, which send messages to the brain cells and can activate memory.

NASYA. The nose is the doorway to the brain and memory. Nose drops of warmed-up brahmi ghee, 5 drops in each nostril, can help to improve memory. (See appendix 2 for instructions on how to make medicated oils and ghees.)

PRANAYAMA. Alternate Nostril Breathing helps to improve cerebral circulation (see chapter 6).

MEDITATE FOR BETTER MEMORY. Memory problems may be caused by stress, anxiety, and worries. Regular meditation is beneficial for relieving stress. Try the Empty Bowl or So-Hum meditation explained in chapter 7.

AVOID TOXIC SUBSTANCES. A person who has memory problems should avoid alcohol and marijuana. Also, strictly avoid drugs that will directly affect the brain, such as LSD. Smoking cigarettes can also adversely affect memory, as nicotine toxicity constricts the cerebral blood vessels, which will damage the brain cells. Some research indicates that certain commonly prescribed medications, such as diazepam (Valium), may also seriously impair memory.

These do’s and don’ts will be effective in protecting and improving your memory.