Dementia in getting more common as people live longer. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Although the exact etiology of Alzheimer’s disease is not known, studies suggest that a decrease in a neurotransmitter inside the brain can lead to symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s disease. Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter with decreased activity recognized in the hippocampus (part of brain which is believed to form new memory). Strategies to reduce the rate of memory loss in patients with Alzheimer’s disease have focused on lengthening the activity of acetylcholine inside the brain by preventing the destruction of it.

A group of substances commonly known as acetylcholine esterase inhibitors (AChEi) are the main stay of treatment in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. These substances were first detected inside herbal products and then found their way to the chemical drugs. Yet, there are tons of herbs and species which contain enough amount of AChEi to help keep your memory.

1. Gingko biloba is the renowned herb which is used for respiratory problems in Chinese medicine with many antioxidant compounds. Recent research also supports the presence of fair amount of AChEi compounds as well.

2. Green tea contains many antioxidants that can help keep you young, it also contains many AChEi compounds that might help you with the memory too.

3. Lemon has multiple effects on the mood including helping insomnia and depression in addition to chemical substances that help increase the amount of acetylcholine inside the brain.

4. Red rose has been traditionally used as cough suppressant and anti-inflammatory supplement but it has also shown activity to boost the memory.

5. Mustard mostly used as a sauce in cooking, is used in form of seeds in traditional medicine of Asia to help with common cold and joint pain. Recent studies have shown that mustard also contains compounds to inhibit AChE.

6. Lemon balm is used as an anxiolytic substance in parts of Asia. It has also shown significant efficacy in laboratory experiments of AChE inhibition.

7. Fir clubmosses contains a compound known as “huperazine A” which is recently in investigation for use in treatment of Alzheimer’s patients. The plan is used in Chinese medicine for memory enhancement.