Sage Essential Oil Researched For Improving Cognitive Function
Essential oils are well known for a great variety of healing actions: antibacterial, antiviral, ant-inflammatory -- even anticancer. But did you know they're proven to make you smarter as well? There's actually a growing body of evidence confirming the use of certain essential oils can improve mental performance in a variety of ways. Some studies have even indicated they improve mood at the same time. So what are these oils and how can you use them?
Essential oils can loosely be classified as "stimulating", "sedating" or "neutral". Many of the stimulating oils seem to share certain effects on the nervous system in a biochemical manner. And by definition, they share effects on alertness and mood. The great thing being that "aromatherapy" that was once laughed at, is now being backed by rigorous research, and the connections between the biochemical actions and the psychological actions are being elucidated.
The latest research (published in October 2010) on sage essential oil is almost revelatory. Researchers at the Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Center of Northumbria University, in the United Kingdom, used a battery of tests to determine the efficacy of the ingestion of one drop of sage. They employed a "a double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced crossover study" to examine the "effects of a single dose on cognitive performance and mood". This type of study tests the same individuals with and without a placebo, over the course of several sessions, to truly confirm the effects.
The results are very enlightening for the aromatherapy practitioner. With just one single drop, measurable, statically significant improvements in both mood and memory-related tasks were found (most notably at one-hour post ingestion). At four hours after ingestion, measurable reduction of mental fatigue was found. This seems that a really small amount of essential oil produced these results! And because the drop was ingested, it's all about getting the oil in the bloodstream any way you can -- which actually happens via inhalation and topical application as well. So what's going on here?
The reason for these cognitive and mood improvements are not completely clear -- however, the researchers point to the observation that sage, and in fact many other spicy/herbal essential oils, inhibit an enzyme in the body that breaks down acetylcholine. This is our primary "information processing" neurotransmitter, and when these essential oils are in the bloodstream, they allow more of this neuro-chemical to be available. This is the same activity of an herbal supplement called "Huperzine A", also taken to improve brain function.
Also of interest is that it seems to be an entire class of chemicals, called "monoterpenes" that have this action. They contribute to bright, high notes in aromas. They're found in citrus oils as well, particularly in lemon essential oil. And lemon has been the subject of similar research (as that done with sage), with similar results. And as the sage study noted, these natural chemicals that act as aromatic stimulants when inhaled act as mental stimulants when ingested as well. (It's unclear whether peppermint, for example, enhances cognitive function through ingestion, though it has been shown to do this through inhalation).
Using these essential oils for enhancing mental acuity is one of the more simple aromatherapy procedures. Inhaling using any diffuser will do -- it's likely that if you find one of these bright aromatics you enjoy the smell of, and an inhale it to the point of enjoyment (not too much, not too little) you'll reproduce these effects. As the study on sage noted that the ingestion of one drop was well-tolerated, you might also experiment with a low dose like this. Note that sage does contain a type of "ketone" molecule that's recommended to be used with caution by some therapists, and not by pregnant or nursing mothers, or young children. However, there are many, many oils with similar character to choose from. Find one or more you like the aroma of (you'll use it more) and enjoy!
Questions and Answers
Aromatherapy has been used for over 6000 years for medicinal purposes, and the effect in reducing stress, anxiety, pain, and other conditions has earned aromatherapy it's reputation as effective, natural, and safe way to control different conditions. Aromatherapy is safe and effective way to help you to focus, concentrate, increase energy lever, decrease drowsiness and overall help you to feel good and focused.
Smell is the ability for us to perceive odors within our environment. An odor can revive a memory, give us a feeling, remind us of a person, place or thing, or even enhance our mood. This is why aromatherapy has been introduced as an alternative medicine to be used with or without other modalities to enhance both psychological and physical benefits to the body.
Aromatherapy is commonly used as an Alternative Medicine add-on, in which Essential Oils, often in combination with other Holistic Therapies such as massage, are used for the purpose of improving physical, psychological and emotional well-being.
Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses capricious plant materials, known as essential oils, and other aromatic compounds in order to enhancing a person's mood, cognitive function or health. The effectiveness of aromatherapy remedies is yet to be scientifically proven, however some studies suggest that essential oils may contain therapeutic properties.
I am going to tell you right now not to get caught up in the latest fad called aromatherapy skin care, because these formulas that companies are providing are not as effective as they are claimed to be. I always stress to people about the importance of using cosmetics that are 100 percent all natural for both safety and effectiveness. These products must contain specific ingredients in order to be effective.
In Neuro-scientific medicine, applied studies more popularly generally known as translational research. It aims to supply plausible diagnostic, preventive or treatment strategies. This research practice is anticipated to create technologies, drugs and methods aimed at prevention and treatments for diseases
Sports tape, elastic therapeutic tape or athletic tape is a strip of cotton with acrylic adhesive used for treating injuries related to sports, athletics as well as other physical disorders. It is porous, non-elastic and lightweight but it also has a high tensile strength which makes it ideal for giving compression and firm support for the body.
Every time I stroll through a herbal or scented garden, I'm entranced by the way it calms my stress and relaxes my anxious mind. It's almost as if Nature laid the plants out especially for me. Parks and gardens are as old as civilization itself. In fact, even Adam and Eve are said to have had their own garden to explore.
Ma Huang is also known as ephedra. The acrid, slightly bitter and warm herb has been used in TCM to promote urination and sweating, and rid of cold, sooth wheezing asthma, etc. as it calms dyspnea, asthma, cough, etc., by enhancing the functions of lung and bladder channels.
Melatonin with valerian is considered to be a top notch pill which can surely assist a lot in getting rid of various sleep disorders and it is primarily utilized for better sleep when you are going through insomnia. Sleep is very important and one should get a proper sleep every night in order to stay perfectly alright in all perspectives. Life can surely excel in a better way if a good and healthy sleep is attained every day though people who are unable to get it on regular basis have to go thr
Peppermint essential oil has a great many therapeutic uses. It can be taken internally for support of digestive difficulty, and helps alleviate "mental fog" when inhaled. Check out the many wonderful applications of this cornerstone oil in aromatherapy.
Male pattern baldness can be managed very well with a precise regimen of vitamins, herbs and amino acids. Here's a look at an effective natural treatment program.
Folks who have a dedicated yoga practice are also often into alternative health practices. In this series of articles, we investigate how essential oils can be used to support the yoga lifestyle. In particular, here's how to keep you and your family free from colds and flu this Winter.
The true cutting edge of nutrition is coming from a group known as the "raw foodists". But even if you're not ready to go for the raw food diet, the "superfoods" they're proposing we add to our diet -- foods that have an incredibly high nutrient-to-calorie ratio -- are worth a look. Here's some insight into the blue-green algae, and how it might benefit your health and well-being.
Discuss this Article
