Top 5 Memory Stimulating Plants

As a person who believes we should take as little pills as humanly possible, I have never liked using any kind of chemical stimulants so these plants have been of great help while studying for my exams or whenever I do any sort of intellectual work.

"Mens sana in corpore sano" as the Latin saying goes - but don't forget that part of having a healthy mind is having a good memory. Good memory helps both in your career as well as in your private life so exercising it is as vital as exercising your body. Besides memory exercises however nature can step in and offer a little help through these wonderful memory stimulating plants: ginseng, salvia, wormwood, vanilla and mint.

Ginseng
Ginseng is one of the most popular medicinal plants in the world, having been used for it's therapeutic properties since ancient time. Ginseng helps the cerebral function by increasing blood flow to the brain, which in turn assures better oxygenation and a higher intake of nutrients at that level. That not only helps with memory but with concentration as well. Other beneficial effects include helping the immune system or balancing the metabolism.

Sage
Sage is a nice smelling plant often used as a condiment in certain types of food as well as in aromatherapy. When it comes to the brain, sage has a calming effect, helping people concentrate better even in the loudest environments or when under a great deal of stress. Great for helping you study on the last day before the exam when you're all stressed out!

Wormwood
There are two types of wormwood used in natural medicine: common wormwood (Artemisia vulgaris) and tree wormwood (Artemisia absinthium - has a bitter taste and is used in the making of absynthe). While tree wormwood is used in the making of some drinks, the one used for memory stimulation is common wormwood.

Mint
Mint is most useful when you're in a state of fatigue brought on by stress or mental exhaustion. In fact, italian researchers have discovered that mint leaves contain a dozen chemical compounds that inhibit aggressivity centers in the brain. That being said, although the calming effect is immediate, maximum effiecienty is only achieved after using mint for at least 12 days either through drinking tea, as a condiment or by using mint oils.

Vanilla
We all know the smell of vanilla right? Well the aroma of vanilla is actually very effective at stimulating the cerebral cortex and thus increasing concentration and memory. Other effects include revitalizing the cardiac, respiratory and digestiv systems, making it a good addition to any workout as well.

If you know any other methods of enhancing the productivity of intellectual activities please feel free to comment!