2 Brain Power Boosting Recipes

In addition to the typical memory changes that come with aging (most of which are normal, not indicative of encroaching dementia!), high stress, a sedentary lifestyle, and high blood pressure are associated with poor memory. Sad to say, these are typical conditions of today’s modern times. But they don’t have to be. It’s important to find time to exercise daily, in the fresh air and sunshine, if possible. Keep stress to a minimum or learn to manage it through practicing yoga, meditation, and regular physical activity, and, with the help of a qualified herbalist, nutritionist, or other health professional, find a natural way to lower your blood pressure through diet and lifestyle modifications.

A whole-foods, low- to moderate-fat diet plays a very important role in maintaining the health of your mind. The brain needs optimal nourishment, especially from the omega-3 fatty acids found in cold-water fish, flax seeds, walnuts, and chia seeds; complex carbohydrates, with their slow-release natural sugars; and antioxidants from colorful fruits and vegetables, including lots of vibrant berries, plus black and green teas.

Keeping the mind stimulated and active by regularly solving puzzles, reading, practicing creative hobbies, taking classes and learning new skills, and simply being social goes a long way toward maintaining maximum function of your brain, including having a sharp memory.

Many studies have shown that there is a strong connection between memory and scent, and we all know that certain odors can trigger specific memories in a flash. Stimulating, strongly scented herbs can not only trigger past memories but can aid in the retention of new information. Herbs such as rosemary, peppermint, balsam fir, basil, pine, black pepper, clary sage, cardamom, and geranium, along with the peels of lemon and grapefruit, are often included in topical memory-enhancing formulations, not only because of their strong aromas, but also because they act as circulatory stimulants, increasing blood flow throughout the body.

To awaken the full potential of your brain, follow these suggestions and try the two brainpower-boosting recipes on the next page, and you’ll soon notice an improvement in your cognitive abilities.

RAIN’S ROSEMARY REMEMBRANCE BALM

This formula is dedicated to a lovely friend of mine named Rain, who adores rosemary. This refreshing, stimulating, uplifting, rejuvenating, resinous, clarifying herb is just the thing to awaken your brain and help you recall and retain what you seem to have forgotten! If you love rosemary, then you’ll appreciate this fragrant balm.

7 tablespoons almond or soybean base oil
1–2 tablespoons beeswax (depending on how firm you want the balm to be)
60 drops rosemary (chemotype verbenon or non-chemotypespecific) essential oil

EQUIPMENT: Small saucepan or double boiler, stirring utensil, glass or plastic jar or tin
PREP TIME: 20 minutes to make the balm, plus 30 minutes to thicken
YIELD: Approximately ½ cup
STORAGE: Store at room temperature, away from heat and light; use within 1 year

APPLICATION: 2 or 3 times per day Combine the base oil and beeswax in a small saucepan or double boiler, and warm over low heat until the beeswax is just melted. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes, stirring a few times. Add the rosemary essential oil and stir again to thoroughly blend. Slowly pour the liquid balm into a storage container. Cap and label. Set aside for 30 minutes to thicken.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
For memory enhancement, up to three times per day, apply a little dab of this balm to each temple, the nape of your neck, the base of your throat, and behind each ear. Breathe deeply. Bonus This balm also aids in healing dry, cracked feet, hands, nails, shins, elbows, and knees. I use it occasionally to condition the ends of my very dry, curly hair and as a blister balm when I’m hiking. It even helps heal oozing poison plant rashes and dermatitis.

MEMORY AND CONCENTRATION “STUDY AID” BALM

This is the perfect formula for anyone, no matter what his or her age, who is attempting to learn a new skill or hobby, as it helps keep the mind fresh and alert and aids in the retention of new knowledge. High school or college students who need a natural study aid will benefit from this invigorating, sharply fragrant balm, rather than relying on too much caffeine to keep them awake. Be sure to send them off to school with a little jar tucked into their bag.This formula includes three of my favorite stimulating essential oils: lemon, for its mentally uplifting, fresh scent; basil, which offers energizing and clarifying properties to an overworked brain; and rosemary, to enhance remembrance, of course.

Note: This is a highly concentrated formula, so only use as directed below. Do not slather it all over your body. 4 tablespoons refined shea butter (unrefined shea butter will work, but its stronger fragrance will often mask the aroma of the essential oils)

30 drops rosemary (chemotype verbenon or non-chemotypespecific) essential oil
20 drops lemon essential oil
10 drops basil essential oil

EQUIPMENT: Small saucepan or double boiler, stirring utensil, glass or plastic jar or tin
PREP TIME: 15 minutes, plus up to 24 hours to thicken
YIELD: Approximately ¼ cup
STORAGE: Store at room temperature, away from heat and light; use within 1 year

APPLICATION:
1 or 2 times per day Warm the shea butter in a small saucepan (a ¾-quart size works great) or double boiler over low heat, until it has just melted. Remove from the heat. Add the rosemary, lemon, and basil essential oils directly to your storage container, then slowly pour in the liquefied shea butter. Gently stir the balm to blend. Cap and label the container, and set it aside until the balm has thickened. Unlike beeswax, shea butter takes a long time to completely thicken, and this formula may need up to 24 hours, depending on the temperature in your kitchen. When it’s ready, it will be very thick, semi-hard, and white (or creamy yellow if you’ve used unrefined shea butter).

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Apply a tiny dab — no more — of this balm to each temple, the nape of your neck, the base of your throat, and behind each ear once or twice per day. Breathe deeply. Bonus This balm makes the perfect conditioner and growth stimulator for dry, brittle nails and cuticles. Every evening, simply massage a little dab into your nails and they’ll soon become healthier and more flexible.