You’ve been feeling forgetful lately. You’re having trouble recalling people’s names, where you put your keys, and important dates. Your concentration isn’t what it used to be, and you’re worried that this will start to affect your work performance.

Your doctor tells you that there’s no need to worry, and that this is a common issue as we age. However, they also recommend trying some natural methods to help improve your memory and cognitive function.

One of these methods is called Medhya Rasayana. Medhya Rasayana is a Ayurvedic approach which uses medicinal herbs to boost brain power and memory.

The benefits of Medhya Rasayana have been backed by science, and there are a number of studies that have shown that it can help improve cognitive function and memory.

In this article, we’ll look at the benefits of Medhya Rasayana , as well as the 8 unique herbs for boosting brain power and memory.

What is Medhya Rasayana?

Medhya Rasayana is a traditional Ayurvedic medicine that is said to improve brain function and memory. The word medhya means “mind” and rasayana means “rejuvenation”. Medhya Rasayana is also known as “Brahmi” in Ayurveda.

There are many different recipes for Medhya Rasayana, but all of them contain a combination of medicinal nootropic herbs. The most common herbs used in Medhya Rasayana are ashwagandha, bacopa monnieri, gotu kola and shankhapushpi.

The benefits of Medhya herbs include improved concentration, better recall, and enhanced cognitive function.

Additionally, Medhya herbs are a safe and natural way to improve your memory and cognitive function.

Benefits of Medhya Rasayana

Generally, Medhya Rasayana improves mental abilities and characters. However, there are multiple health benefits of nootropic herb for overall wellness as well:

• Improve Immunity and support Longevity
• Prevent and treat insomnia and sleep disorders
• Increase digestive power (AGNI)
• Improve complexion and quality of voice
• Boost brain power and intellect
• Memory Booster Action
• Stop and prevent memory loss
• Reduce Anxiety and promote mental peace
• Improve Concentration
• Boost Mental Health
• Improve Mental Perception and Intelligence
• Support Nervous System health
• Boost Creativity, Learning and reasoning skills

How do Medhya Herbs affect brain function?

Medhya Rasayana herbs help improve brain function by increasing the power of acquisition, retention and recollection.

Acquisition

The power of acquisition is the cognitive process that helps to acquire knowledge and skills. Medhya Rasayana herbs act on this power and improve skills to acquire knowledge and learn skills.

Retention

The power of retention is the mental capability by which one can retain and recall past experience and knowledge. Medhya Rasayana herbs improve the power of retention and increase memory.

Recollection

The power of recollection is the mental process of remembering things and recovering information.

Medhya Rasayana helps to improve the cognitive ability of the brain to process information, store information, and remembering things and recovering information from the brain.

All these properties help to boost memory power and improve brain function.

8 Best Medhya Herbs to Improve Brain Power

There are many different Ayurvedic herbs that can be used in Medhya Rasayana. However, some of the most effective medicinal herbs for boosting brain power, mental health and memory include:

1. Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri)

Bacopa Monnieri is one of the most powerful Ayurvedic herbs for brain with very high nootropic activity. Brahmi has been extensively used in Ayurveda to formulate brain tonics and Medhya Rasayana.

The major constituents of this herb are saponins that protect the nerves (with DNA damage protection), nourish brain, and help protect brain from oxidative damage. The herb has also been proved to have anti stress (adaptogenic) properties and rich in antioxidants.

Apart from its memory booster properties, it also helps in improvement of skin viscoelasticity and hydration and hence used in cosmetic creams. Studies have shown that Brahmi among others is also effective against post-menopausal symptoms.

2. Gotukola (Centella Asiatica)

Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is a small, herbaceous plant that is native to the wetlands of Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to treat a variety of conditions, including memory loss and cognitive decline.

Recent studies have shown that gotu kola may indeed be effective in boosting brain power and memory. One study found that gotu kola extract improved memory and cognitive function in rats with Alzheimer’s disease. Another study showed that gotu kola extract was able to improve working memory and intelligence quotient (IQ) in healthy adults.

Gotu kola is thought to work by increasing blood circulation to the brain and by protecting nerve cells from damage. It is also a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.

If you are looking for a natural way to boost your brain power and memory, then consider adding gotu kola to your diet or supplementing with gotu kola extract.

3. Licorice | Yashtimadhu (Glycirrhiza Glabra)

Yastimadhu or Licorice as it is commonly known is a multidimensional herb that contains flavonones, isoflavones, glycyrrhizine, glycyrrhetenic acid and six phenolic compounds. It is an effective brain tonic and natural memory booster aid. It acts by:

• Increasing circulation in the central nervous system
• Balancing sugar level in blood.

Its root (licorice) also has significant action on memory and learning, hence used in the treatment of dementia.

4. Guduchi (Tinospora Cordifolia)

Giloy or Guduchi as is commonly known is highly bitter in nature. It is one of the reverred Ayurvedic herbs that forms a major ingredient of Ayurvedic formulations towards cure of even chronic conditions. This climbing shrub is found all over tropical India and has active ingredients like diterpenoid lactones, alkaloids sesquiterpenoid, aliphatic compounds, polysaccharides etc.

It possesses cognitive, memory booster, and anti-stress activities. It is also a rich source of zinc and copper due to which it acts as a good antioxidant. While Giloy is great for brain, it is highly beneficial for body as it helps normalise blood sugar levels and prevents hypertension.

5. Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus Pleuricaulis Chois)

The herb contains active compounds such as microphyllic acid, kaempferol-kaempferol-3-glucoside, shankhapushpin, sitosterols and 3, 4 dihydroxycinnamic acid that protect the nerves and promote intellectual activity.

Shankhpushpi has been found to relieve signs and symptoms of Chittodvega (anxiety disorders) by regulating the production of stress hormones in the body- adrenaline and cortisol. The herb in combination with other herbs has been found beneficial in treating a wide range of nervous system disorders like stress, restless mind, insomnia etc.

6. Jyotishmati (Celastrus Paniculatus)

Jyotishmati (Celastrus Paniculatus) is an Indian medicinal herb that has been used for centuries to boost brain power and memory. Jyotishmati is a powerful nervine tonic that helps to calm the nervous system and improve concentration and memory. It has medicinal compounds that have antioxidant and anti arthritic properties.

Jyotishmati is also an excellent brain tonic for students and working professionals who need to improve their memory and concentration.

7. Winter Melon | Kushmanda (BENINCASA HISPIDA)

Belonging to Cucurbitaceae family, the climbing herb is mainly grown in India as a vegetable. It contains photochemical like alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins.

It can prevent Alzheimer’s disease directly or indirectly through its antioxidant activity. It is also beneficial in the management of Chittodvega (anxiety disorders).

8. Jatamansi (NARDOSTACHYS JATAMAMSI)

This perennial aromatic herb has been used for medical treatment of psychiatric problems (Manasa Doshahara). Its rhizomes and roots contain a terpenoid ester, nardostachysin and are used to treat hysteria, epilepsy, and convulsions.

It also has been seen to improve memory and learning in mice. The herb decoction is used for neurological, cardiovascular disorders and insomnia.

Guidelines to consume Medhya Herbs

Medhya Rasayana is traditionally taken as a supplement in powder or tablet form.

It can also be made into a tea by boiling the powdered herbs in water and then drinking the resulting liquid.

You can also add these herbs to your food or cook with them.

Your Ayurvedic doctor may advise you to add honey and ghee (clarified butter) for better health benefits.

Medhya Rasayana is typically taken once or twice daily, before breakfast and dinner.

Takeaway

Medhya Rasayana is an Ayurvedic brain tonic that has been used for centuries in India to improve memory, intelligence, and concentration. It is a potent mixture of eight Ayurvedic herbs that have been shown to improve cognitive function, memory, and focus.

If you’re looking for a natural way to boost your brain power and have healthy memory, then Medhya Rasayana may be right for you.

This approach is safe, effective, and has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine.

Give it a try today and see the difference it can make.

FAQ

1. What are the causes of poor brain function and cognitive deficit?

As we age, it’s common for our brain function to decline. This can lead to problems with memory, focus and concentration.

Brain fog is a general term used to describe feelings of mental confusion or fatigue.

It can make it difficult to think clearly, remember things or stay focused. Poor brain function can have a negative impact on our quality of life.

There are many factors that can contribute to poor brain function, including mental stress, lack of sleep and an unhealthy diet.

2. What are Nootropic Herbs?

If you’re looking for ways to boost your brain power and memory, you may want to consider taking some nootropic herbs. Nootropics are medicinal plant that can help improve cognitive function, and there are many different types of nootropics available.

One type of nootropic that has gained popularity in recent years is Medhya Rasayana. Medhya Rasayana is a traditional Ayurvedic medicine that is said to be beneficial for the mind and memory.

3. Do Medhya Herbs help to Reduce Mental Stress?

Stress and anxiety have become more and more common in modern lifestyle. Super busy schedules are leading to stress day in and out in this super connected world. Stress further triggers build up of toxins and multiple health disorders such as Diabetes, Hypertension, and even Cancer that have reached a chronic stage for majority of the population.

While we cannot really escape our lifestyle and prevailing conditions, one can bank upon Ayurvedic and Yogic wisdom to manage stress within our lifestyles.

These memory booster herbs and foods are often classified into the category of Nootropics, the ultra smart cognitive enhancement herbs that improve mental action, experience and senses.

They have been seen to give a push to the executive functions of the body and produce an overall uplift to the wellness that lasts forever.

References

• Effects of Medhya Rasayana and Yogic practices in improvement of short-term memory among school-going children
• Nootropic herbs (Medhya Rasayana) in Ayurveda: An update
• Formulation and standardization of Medhya Rasayana – A novel Ayurvedic compound nootropic drug
• Role of Medhya Rasayanas (Nootropic Drugs) in Developmental Disabilities of Children