When you have an ailment or a health problem, traditional medicine has multiple solutions, including the healing power of medicinal plants. Such is its effectiveness that the World Health Organization details that 80% of the world population depends on these plants for primary health care.
Likewise, several scientific studies have demonstrated the different beneficial properties for health that some herbs and medicinal plants have. In fact, most contain antioxidant (anti-aging), anticancer, anti-inflammatory properties and even have the ability to delay apoptosis or programmed cell death. They are also characterized by containing vitamins and unsaturated fatty acids necessary for cardiovascular health.
Among the multiple benefits offered by medicinal plants is the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia, which is one of the main causes of disability and dependency among the elderly.
This condition is a syndrome that involves impairment of memory, intellect, behavior, and the ability to perform activities of daily living. Furthermore, this decline in cognitive function is often accompanied, and sometimes preceded, by declines in emotional control, social behavior, or motivation.
In this way, the web portal Serproen del Grupo Sound, discloses some medicinal herbs that help prevent dementia:
Saffron
It helps prevent dementia and is widely used in the East. It is obtained from the flowers of the Iris genus plant and scientific studies have proven that saffron improves learning and memory, Therefore, it mitigates dementia, especially vascular and alcohol-induced. Also, it is highly indicated to improve memory in patients already diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and senile dementia.
Ginkgo Biloba
It is a medicinal plant widely used in Chinese medicine to prevent diseases that are generated in the elderly. As such, the infusion of green ginkgo leaves has neuroprotective properties, as it improves nervous tension and memory. On the other hand, It has positive effects on certain geriatric conditions and psychiatric disorders, thanks to its antioxidant action of its flavonoids.
Ginseng
Ginseng is obtained from the root of plants of the Panax genus, with Korean or black Ginseng being the best known herb in the world to prevent dementia. According to the portal Serproen, this plant has been used in china to help prevent disease and aging for centuries.
In fact, 10 years ago, a group of Chinese researchers showed that it not only helps prevent dementia, but also in patients with mild to moderate vascular dementia (the result of a series of small strokes).) who received ginseng extract for three months, a significant improvement in memory was obtained compared to the control group.
Habits to reduce the risk of dementia
It is important to mention that the consumption of these medicinal plants must be accompanied by healthy habits to prevent dementia. Here are some to keep in mind:
- Good nutrition: reducing fats, especially saturated fats, animal products and processed foods, is critical. Similarly, more plants of all varieties should be eaten, especially vegetables and beans, increase the consumption of fruits, especially berries, and lower salt intake, according to the Colombian Ministry of Health and Social Protection.
- stimulation: reading, writing, calculating and learning new languages and doing crossword puzzles are some of the possibilities to develop the mind. You can start doing this at any age, but the sooner the better. Group activities also work.
- Physical activity: lPhysical activity protects the brain. Therefore, sedentary people are more prone to developing dementia. According to experts, people should get at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week. If the workouts are high intensity, the time can go down to 70 minutes.
- No Smoking: Cigarettes contain a series of toxic products that, according to specialists, cause inflammation and vascular changes in the brain. In addition, they cause irreversible damage to cells, so one of their possible effects may be the development of dementia.
