Herbs for mental clarity and energy to boost your cognitive performance

Impaired cognitive function, or brain fog as it’s more commonly referred to, is a frustrating feeling that every one of us will experience at some point in life. The term is used to determine an array of different issues, with each one of them leaving you feeling a little space out, and unable to enjoy everyday life as you should. The best way to regain clear-headedness is to establish the root cause of your brain fog so you can put the necessary solutions in place. In this article, we will be discussing a variety of different herbs that can help to increase your mental-clarity, but first, let’s explore some of the potential causes of brain fog.

Common Causes of Brain Fog

In a restful state, the mind still uses around 20-percent of your body’s total energy. Brain fog usually occurs when extra energy is being used to sort out an internal problem, leaving less energy spare to allow you to focus on what you are doing. Although everybody will experience this at some point in their lives, if the mental fog is something you are experiencing on a regular basis, it may be worth getting some professional advice on how to help your symptoms. Below, we talk about some of the common causes:

Dehydration – When you were younger, you may remember your parents and teachers nagging you about drinking enough water. This was actually for good reason, as dehydration is one of the leading causes of brain fog. If partaking in a form sweat-inducing exercise such as hot yoga, make sure you are getting enough fluids throughout the session, and that you are wearing breathable yoga clothes. If you notice yourself feeling a little spaced out, take a break with a glass of fresh water, and see how you go.

Stress and anxiety – When the body is running smoothly, the adrenal glands produce hormones, including cortisol that helps the body deal with stress. During particularly stressful periods of your life, your adrenal glands may become overworked, resulting in a lack of hormones being produced. This can lead to a variety of different symptoms, one of which, includes mental fog.

Lack of sleep – Although it may seem obvious, it’s worth noting that not getting enough restful sleep is a sure way to induce brain fog.

Diet – Having a healthy diet, is essential for optimum mental clarity. If your eating habits consist of a high percentage of greasy, processed foods, it will take the body more energy to digest these substances, leaving little energy left to allow for clear thinking.

Underlying health issues – If you notice mental fog is becoming a common occurrence, and you don’t believe it to be caused by any of the factors above, then it may be worth visiting your local health practitioner to get some professional advice. Underlying health issues can often contribute to an unclear mental state, as the body is using its energy to try to resolve the underlying issue.

Herbs that encourage mental clarity

Fancy a helping hand? Herbs are a well-known substance for increasing mental clarity and overall good health. Below we talk about a few of our favourites and the incredible benefits that they hold.

Gotu Kola

Originating in Australia and South-East Asia, Gotu Kola is typically known for its power of enhancing blood circulation in the body. The herb is commonly used to balance out brain activity, supporting the function of the memory.

Rosemary

This brain-boosting herb can be used for more than just tasty evening meals. Particularly popular in the form of an essential oil, Rosemary can be burned to improve the efficiency of mental tasks. In addition to helping with brain fog, the oil can be used in aromatherapy to help the memory, also.

Vacha

Although traditionally used to treat disorders of the nervous system, Vacha is used today to support clear-thinking and concentration. With reports that the herb has a stimulating effect in some circumstances, Vacha is a popular choice for individuals suffering from mental clouding.

Ginseng

Commonly used in cooking, this superfood is used to increase all-round mental clarity. A popular herb to add to a morning smoothie, or sprinkle on your cereal, ginseng is thought to even have the ability to protect the brain from toxic cells, helping to prevent age-related conditions such as dementia.

Ginkgo Biloba

Used in ancient healing practices for thousands of years, Ginkgo Biloba is thought to provide an array or benefits to our mental state. Similar to ginseng, research suggests this herb has the power to protect brain cells, helping to retain optimum cognitive function as we age.

Huperzine-A

This wonderful herb, deriving from a type of Chinese Moss, is thought to boost overall brain function, in addition to protecting the brain against conditions such as Alzheimer’s.

Rhodiola

More of a root than an herb, Rhodiola is thought to assist the body and mind when experiencing times of stress and anxiety. With the ability to help cognitive function during times of hardship, Rhodiola is a popular choice for sufferers of the dreaded brain fog.

Tulsi

Research has found that Tulsi helps to oxygenate to blood, boosting the function of the brain in addition to all-around circulation. To stay healthy and for optimum mental clarity, Tulsi is a great herb to try out.

Bacopa

With benefits including reduced stress, enhanced memory, and improved mental function, Bacopa is another popular choice of herb for individuals experiencing periods of brain fog. Like previous herbs mentioned, Bacopa is believed to provide protection against age-related mental diseases, such as Alzheimer’s.

In Summary

Whether you’re a sufferer of chronic brain fog looking for an aide, or you’re interested in improving your memory and overall cognitive function, these incredible superfoods have got you covered. Importantly, although these herbs are generally considered safe and beneficial to the body, if you begin to notice any negative effects then it’s wise to get the advice of an experienced health professional just to be checked over.