Ancient Herbs – Alzheimer Hope?

Could there be hope for an Alzheimer cure in alternative medicines? Trials on herbal preparations used in India traditionally to enhance intelligence and mental functioning are underway at Swinburne University’s Brain Sciences Institute in Melbourne.

Search For Scientifically Valid Evidence For Alternative Therapies

This Australian Government-funded initiative is part of a collaborative project through the National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM).

“Pine bark, lemon balm, American ginseng, rosemary and an aquatic plant called Brahmi, are among the herbal preparations showing therapeutic effects that may help treat symptoms related to Alzheimer’s dementia – including loss of memory, capacity to learn, depression and anxiety..

Although science has not yet determined the exact cause of Alzheimer’s, it is known that sufferers experience inflammation of the brain, deposits of beta amyloid, traces of heavy metals and signs of oxidative stress…research suggests that Brahmi acts on all of these..It has an anti-inflammatory effect, is an antioxidant and collates and removes heavy metals and beta amyloid..

Historically alternative medicine has struggled to gain scientific credibility. However, Swinburne’s trials are performed to standards that provide acceptance within the mainstream scientific community.

Two trials with a Brahmi extract ..have shown improvements in working memory, particularly spatial memory accuracy..

A 50-day trial of a particular pine bark extract supplement for men aged 50 to 65 years has also shown improved speed in spatial working memory and immediate recognition tasks, along with a trend towards lower systolic blood pressure.

Another trial is investigating the short-term calmative effects of a special lemon balm product, because anxiety and agitation are major symptoms that Alzheimer sufferers experience.”

For Further Information

You can contact: Crystal Ladiges +61 3 9214 5064 or 0416 174 880 or cladiges@swin.edu.au

The Brahmi and pine bark extract trials have been published in the journal, ‘Phytotherapy Research’ available at:

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/117935659/PDFSTART

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/120848484/PDFSTART