Busy Mondays require morning therapeutic pep. Finally some deeper work covering methylxanthine synergies.
I'm shifting my diet this week. Moving led to a bit of a lapse in diet quality and a return to coffee. I want better brews than coffee... How to harness the power of methylxanthine synergies? Exploiting synergies seems to be useful as highlighted in this review Temporarily back into a bit of Matcha + Cacao which I found a nice blend to address multiple areas and more dense in polyphenols that things like guayusa. Targeting the motivational symptoms is challenging and most conventional treatments do not improve, and may worsen these areas which are critical in social functioning and treatment outcome [1]. The latest on theobromine: While it has a nonselective PDE inhibition effect greater than caffeine, oral theobromine inhibits mTOR signalling in vivo which is of relevance to multiple conditions [2] and elevates cerebral brain-derived neurotrophic factor and facilitates learning in animal models [3]. The more interesting properties of theobromine might lie in its synergistic effect with caffeine. That said, behavioural effects from theobromine such as an increase in alertness, energy and motivation, but also sleepiness in some subjects has been reported. "Research revealed that isolated doses of caffeine and theobromine exert differential – and possibly less beneficial – effects than methylxanthine preparations from plant sources that provide also a number of other phytochemicals. Five studies found a significant acute cognitive effect from cocoa, with improvements in visual information processing, spatial working memory, concentration and memory. Research suggests that tea catechins, mainly EGCG, elicit cognitive effects as well. EGCG administration has been associated with self-reported calmness and reduced stress in healthy subjects Several studies found that caffeine and L-theanine improve attentional performance but studies did not find any change in self-reported mood compared to caffeine. Some of the studies, even on more well-known combinations such as caffeine and L-theanine, failed at reproducing the same results as in other studies. L-theanine appears to be most beneficial in subjects that reported being more stressed and/or anxious during the study. EGCG may reduce the negative mood effects of caffeine in a similar manner to L-theanine. Theobromine may selectively enhance caffeine psychoactivity - increased “energetic arousal” as well. In terms of mood effects cocoa flavonoids may modify caffeine's psychoactive effects in a similar manner to L-theanine. Experiments found that combination of cocoa extract and caffeine attenuated the anxiety-provoking effects of caffeine alone Evidence for an improvement of executive function 90–150 min after the administration of cocoa flavanols. Caffeinated cocoa (70 mg caffeine, 179 mg theobromine, 499 mg flavanols) caused lower omission errors and improved accuracy in healthy subjects compared to cocoa alone (21 mg caffeine, 179 mg theobromine, 499 mg flavanols), but attentional performance was not better [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5992708/ [2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30451374 [3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27833051
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Trying out a friend's herb... Polygonum multiflorum - He Shou Wu "He Shou Wu is a yin herb, which means it correlates to and encourages feminine/receptive energy. Many people feel calmer and more balanced both in mind and body with this herb.” [review] It is said to enhance receptivity to spirit The Western Science This plant reportedly acts as a neuroprotective agent and 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-beta-D-glucoside (THSG) exerts antidepressant effects through oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways [1] and the enhancement of the hippocampal BDNF system [2] It may prevent insomnia by regulating sleep duration [3] It may have anti-diabetic activity [4]. It is suggested to have anti-oxidant and MAO-B modulatory action [5]. There are concerns with liver toxicity [6] which are seemingly oddly dose dependent [7] One summary: - Neuroprotective - beneficial metabolic activity - potential sleep improvement Making the medicine in the mind This one's Chamomile, Chrysanthemum, Skullcap, Lemon Balm, Passionflower and Rose for the Full Moon. I'll save you a literature review on each for the moment... I've seen how much positive expectancy and conditioning can drive a flat out therapeutic response, or add to established psychopharmacological effects. Our mental state can be crucial in determining our experience of symptoms and response to all medicines. It’s not imaginary or “all in the mind”: your symptoms are eased by physical changes [1] With tea, do whip it up with the intent to simply get mellow based on some pubmed article, wait till its just cool enough to guzzle, and then gulp it down? That's a pretty poor process. On the other hand, if we intentfully brew up a nice strong cup of plant medicine under a Full Moon, respect each constituent, the aromas, the colours, the medicine, the spirit, brew with thanks and savour the medicine of each slow mindful sip... you start to augment with the mind's ability to bring healing too. "It is really important to understand that the way in which we do things impacts what they will do for us. If you are using a herbal remedy, you can make it work better by consciously intending it to be effective. Taking a moment before drinking a cup of tea or taking a dose of tincture to ask for its nourishing and medicinal virtues will increase both your body's ability to assimilate and distribute the herb's medicine, and also the herb's ability to send out its medicine power to you." [2] When you offer your appreciation, intention and gratitude for the medicine that together you make, that's the magic. Using learned associations can reduce doses - Conditioning works for immune responses, pain, gut function, hormone levels, psychiatric conditions and even neurological disorders. Another example is a New Moon Cacao Ceremony I had. Just filling your mind with the right words and intent is a wonderful start... Crafted a strong New Moon ceremonial block, to go with the evening herbal tea. "The New Moon energy is all about new beginnings and intention. Making goals, setting intention, sowing the seeds of future plans; it’s the perfect time to do all of these." Gratitude to those who have supported me - friends, family etc - in the darkness and continue to do so in brighter days, to Mother Earth for nourishing me, to Father Sky. Cacao, allow me to release stagnation and deep pain of past and disconnection I am holding onto in my heart. teach me to melt the barriers of disconnection to embrace deeper loving Heart-space, each day. To embrace each day higher self, connection, unity, peace, compassion and love to the world around me According to the latest findings Lavender essential oil "significantly increased social interaction" and has been proposed to be "considered as useful alternative tools to the available traditional treatments for social stress-induced mental illnesses" Silexan (oral lavender oil) preparations are now available on shelf in Australia, along with blends with Zizyphus and Californian poppy and they have comparable effectiveness to SSRIs [1] and benzodiazepines [2] for Generalised Anxiety Disorder in studies and "calming and anxiolytic efficacy" has been proposed for anxiety-related restlessness and disturbed sleep [3] That said, should you be jumping out to buy expensive patented lavender oil? When I was using it orally, I simply measured out Lavandula angustifolia EO and tolerating the terrible flavour... but is diffusing the essential oil just as good a way to go? While the evidence for oral lavender is promising "Research is needed to determine if lavender essential oil aromatherapy, which is readily available worldwide, can be proven to be as effective as Silexan for improving sleep and anxiety in adult patients." [4]. In studies [5], ambient lavender oil might be used as a temporary relief from continued medication for insomnia and showed a trend towards an improved quality of daytime wakefulness and more sustained sleep at night. Inhalation of lavender decreases anxiety and brings the subject to a better mood in 40 healthy adults. Alleviation of anxiety and mood improvement were reported in severely ill patients, who received lavender oil (diluted to 1% concentration) aromatherapy and lavender oil administered in an aroma stream shows modest efficacy in the treatment of agitated behavior in patients with severe dementia A 50:50 blend of Lavender oil and Lemon Balm is promising. Simple inhalation of linalool, a major lavender component altered hypothalamic gene expression in rats under stress and "restored the expression of 560 stress-induced probe sets to a normal status" [6] and has notable effects on the human brain [7] "According to our data, the anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects attributed to lavender may be due to an antagonism on the NMDA-receptor and inhibition of SERT. This study suggests that lavender essential oil may exert pharmacological properties via modulating the NMDA receptor, the SERT as well" [Review] MoA also includes VDCCs I've used lots of Bacopa (Brahmi) which exerts neuroprotective [1], anticonvulsant, antipsychotic and memory-enhancing activities [2]. Preclinical results indicate that Bacopa monnieri extract administration has antidepressant and procognitive effects [3]. Centella asiatica - Gotu kola While proposed to be a "true adaptogen that promote harmony on the mind, body and spirit" [4] [5] . This contains pentacyclic triterpenes at 19.5-37.4 mg/g dry powder Asiatic acid [6] has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, gastroprotective, and anticancer properties. It is promising for memory and cognition enhancement - used either alone or as an adjuvant in neuropsychiatric diseases as well as in learning and memory impairment. Along with a multitude of receptor and enzyme actions. asiatic acid supposedly modulates the benzodiazepine site on the GABAA receptor and exerts anxiolytic effects [7] It was found C. asiatica significantly increased GAD activity in vitro, increased whole brain GABA and human studies found reductions in acoustic startle - producing anxiolytic effects but no alteration in mood in high (12g) dose acute settings and "significant improvements in anxiety following 60 days of treatment on the HAM‐A scale, along with significant reductions in secondary measures of stress and depression" [8]. Another study claims the effect of negative modulation of different GABAA receptor subtypes, particularly on α5-containing GABAA receptors which may be beneficial for cognitive disorders and anxiety [9]. This is interesting as negative allosteric modulators of α5 subunit-containing GABAA receptors are reported to show rapid-acting antidepressant effects in rodents [10]. Antagonists are proposed to provide enhancement and remediation of cognitive performance with anxiolytic/antidepressant-like effects [11]. In contrary, positive modulation has been proposed in schizophrenia to address dopaminergic abnormalities. It is proposed to be a GABAB receptor agonist and have effects on AChE [12] One person suggests "If you think that ashwagandha is a potent anxiolytic, it's nothing compared to Gotu Kola... This herbal anxiolytic has comparable strength to pharma-grade drugs, which is impressive, and a little scary at the same time." That said, another person said "I took it for a month and didn't notice anything from it." another it "clears my mind and allows me to focus" It also has: - potent antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties. Augments activities/levels of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. - regulates pro-inflammatory cytokines and preventing the development and progression of immune-inflammatory disorders I like to keep my food medicinal. Sure providing fibre, vitamins and minerals but what about other planty goodness? How do you tweak your diet for mental health? For example I like lots of polyphenols: berries, cacao, green tea, turmeric, other herbs like basil/oregano etc, cinnamon and other good sources (you can make medicinal desserts or bliss ball treats - I've recently been making cacao berry medicinal mushroom bliss balls). Keep intake of carotenoids decent Beetroot Not just a good source of betalains... A NO generator like beetroot has the potential to improve cerebrovascular blood flow and challenge detriments in cognitive function. A high nitrate diet stimulated a substantial and preferential increase in frontal cortex perfusion, a region of the brain responsible for essential cognitive processes such as executive function, working memory and task-switching. 250 mL of beetroot juice (nitrate: 7.5 mmol) for 14 days resulted in a significant improvement in simple reaction time compared to a control group Feed the microbiome - fibre, resistant starches etc "Preliminary research has shown that increased resistant starch intake may reduce risk of obesity, diabetes, and colon cancer, exerting multiple beneficial effects on energy homeostasis peripherally, such as enhancing glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, and decreasing body fat. "Research about the impact of resistant starch on the gut and mood is still in its early days. However, it’s thought that foods, which are high in resistant starch, can do wonders for your gut health and improve your mood." [1] Diets based on resistant starch can be utilised to produce quantifiable changes in the gut microbiota and also results in a change in behaviour in animal models and improve at least two important indicators of brain function: glucose sensing and motor coordination." Healthy oils - yes, omega-3's but don't neglect other oils. Even MCTs show some benefit in cognitive deterioration Good proteins (if needed, some supplemental tryptophan or other amino acids) I agree with the recommendations that "Low glycemic index foods seem to improve attention, memory and functional capacity". I like planty diets where possible. Also appropriate proteins, fats [see review on omega-3's] and fibres. I've done (and seen) many people not get much dietary diversity, that's where I was last week - surely they're missing out and not getting sustainable health? For one, I've done enough depleting things to my lifestyle I don't want poor diet to be a way of not getting enough... As for vitamins and minerals? I've written lots of scattered bits and pieces.... Dietary patterns seem important in severe mental illness [1] and have in some populations been associated with things like depression, stress and social support satisfaction [2]. Four-Week Supplementation in healthy individuals with a multi-vitamin/mineral preparation treatment was "associated with significantly improved mood, as measured by reduced scores on the "depression-dejection" subscale of the Profile of Mood States" [3] Individual vitamins: Vitamin A: There is a longstanding notion that vitamin A plays a role in psychiatric illness likely based on the profound effects of retinoids on brain development and processes such as long-term potentiation (LTP) and mood regulation. Proposed to be a player and therapeutic in ASD: "supplementation is a reasonable therapy at least for a subset of children with autism" [4]. Vitamin B-group: Thiamine (B1): Exerts antidepressant/anti-stress effects in animal models [5] and improved standard treatment in patients with depression [6] In a small study, thiamine supplementation significantly improved anxiety scores, general well-being and reduced fatigue in patients with Generalised Anxiety Disorder [7] "An improvement in thiamine status was associated with reports of being more clearheaded, composed and energetic. These influences took place in subjects whose thiamine status, according to the traditional criterion, was adequate." [8] Not much has been done on B2 and B3 in psychiatry but they are proposed to play a role. A recent animal study suggests that B2 or B6 vitamins restored the levels of DA and reduced oxidative stress in brain [9] B6: Inadequate amounts of vitamins B6 is linked with a higher incidence of depression and impaired neurotransmitter synthesis. It is proposed to be an effective therapeutic for some women (along with combinations) [10]. Improved attentional performance in males was significantly correlated with increased levels of vitamin B6 B12: Insufficient vitamin B12 status has been linked to poor neurodevelopment and cognitive decline. A significant improvement in depressive symptoms was observed after SSRI and vitamin B12 therapy in one study [11] Folate: see https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/integrative-mental-health-care/201709/folate-depression-schizophrenia-and-dementia Vitamin C: adding vitamin C alone to citalopram did not increase the efficacy of citalopram in MDD patients [12]. That said, in animal models it exerts antidepressant effects dependent on the activation of the opioid system, especially µ-opioid receptors, which might be an indirect consequence of NMDA receptor inhibition elicited by ascorbic acid administration. It may involve an activation of GABAA receptors and a possible inhibition of GABAB receptors, similarly to ketamine. It might be dependent on the activation of PI3K and mTOR, inhibition of GSK-3ß as well as induction of HO-1. These are important mood targets. Vitamin D supplementation, thought to modulate many areas of mental health, is associated with lower depressive and anxiety symptoms in psychotic illness [13] and addition of vitamin D to conventional antidepressive agents can improve antidepressive effect [14]. The core symptoms of ASD fluctuated in severity with changes in serum vitamin D levels in children: high-dose vitamin D3 regimens may ameliorate the core symptoms [15, 16] Vitamin E (α-tocopherol) has been linked to a decrease in the frequency of depressive symptoms. α-tocopherol is a lipid modulator of the cannabinoid system [17] Vitamin E has pain-relieving, antioxidant, antidepressant [18] and anxiolytic-like activities [19]. A low dietary intake of vitamin E is related to altered mood and depression, depression is accompanied by significantly lower serum vitamin E concentrations, vitamin E intake being directly related to the depression score [20].The cognition promoting effects of omega 3 PUFAs may be dietary vitamin E status related [21] and recently, omega-3 and vitamin E co-supplementation was effective in improving parameters of mental health in some individuals with conditions of inflammatory basis [22]. Minerals: Calcium: Ca and Mg may be involved in depression; however there are few data on these mineral nutritional statuses concerning depression and data from human-studies are limited. It thought that Ca intake is related to depression and mental disorders Chromium: Seems to have important effects on insulin signalling and mood. Preclinical and clinical studies reported its potential antidepressant properties [23]. Chromium has shown the most promise for treating subtypes of depression that affect carbohydrate cravings and appetite regulation [24] In some women it "reduced mood symptoms and improved overall health satisfaction" [25] Iodine: Deficiency causes brain structural alterations likely to affect cognition. Low iodine-rich food intake was associated with increased brain volume shrinkage [26] Iron: Human studies link anxiety-driven behaviour and mood changes to poor iron status but excess iron in the brain is detrimental. It is proposed imbalanced iron metabolism plays a role in modulating anxiety and emotional behaviours [27] Magnesium: Magnesium is effective for mild-to-moderate depression in adults. It works quickly and is well tolerated [28] Magnesium influences the neurotransmission involved in emotional processes, such as the serotonergic, noradrenergic, dopaminergic, GABAergic and glutamatergic systems. Potassium: may be useful in the treatment of mood disturbances - low potassium levels may be linked to symptoms of depression. Selenium: "Intake was associated with a general elevation of mood and in particular, a decrease in anxiety." [29] When taking the selenium the subjects reported a substantial improvement in mood at 100 mcg [30] Persons with low selenium status might experience relatively depressed moods [31] That said, another study found "no evidence that selenium supplementation benefited mood or quality of life in these elderly volunteers" [32]. It is suggested to play an important role in psychological functioning [33]. Zinc: Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that zinc possesses antidepressant properties and that it may augment monoamine-based antidepressants [34] Meta-analyses support zinc for depression [35] It is proposed to cause general improvement in neuronal plasticity as well as reduction of neuronal atrophy and neuronal cell loss, modulation of the serotonergic system including postsynaptic 5-HT1ARs with a possible involvement of dopaminergic neurotransmission [36]. Peripheral Zn concentration may play a role in the physiopathology of some domains of cognitive function, "there was a significant positive correlation between plasma Zn levels and the concentration subcategory" [37] Less/other mentioned: Boron: Boron supplementation altered EEG such that there was a shift toward less activity in the low frequencies and more activity in the high, dominant frequencies of the EEG leading to improved psychomotor skill, and cognitive processes of attention and short term memory [38]. Choline sources: "The extent to which higher intakes of choline have the potential to enhance or influence cognition during childhood, adulthood, and/or age-related cognitive decline needs further investigation" [39]. Carotenoids significantly corresponded to global cognitive abilities including verbal learning, verbal fluency, memory recall, processing speed, and perceptual speed. Serum lutein, zeaxanthin, and β-carotene concentrations were most consistently related to better cognition. Serum zeaxanthin had significant relationships with most measures of cognitive function, with higher concentrations being significantly related to global cognitive performance,and better concept formation/abstraction. Serum concentrations of β-carotene were also significantly correlated to most measures of cognitive function. Serum lutein concentrations were significantly related to measures of global cognition, lower dementia severity, and executive function. Carotenoid levels have also been shown to protect cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Supplements have shown strong cognitive enhancement benefits over longer term studies Review on omega-3: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27472373/ [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30359969 [2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29113038 [3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/26529011/ [4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29122693 [5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27825907 [6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26984349 [7] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/…/53c8c4dbfdccf441a16bcc14… [8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9122365 [9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30413185 [10] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28178022 [11] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3856388/ [12] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/25873303/ [13] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30245372 [14] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29460820 [15] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29629638 [16] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27868194 [17] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21843633 [18] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20144659 [19] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30251258 [20] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28531460 [21] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29656360 [22] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29306057 [23] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24101396 [24] https://www.verywellmind.com/chromium-for-depression-1066922 [25] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24237190 [26] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29083437 [27] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4253901/ [28] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28654669 [29] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1873372 [30] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2096413 [31] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8717610 [32] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16181615 [33] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12509066 [34] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28299207 [35] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28988944 [36] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28319749 [37] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0531556518300639 [38] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25063690 [39] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29451849 Throw in some medicinal mushrooms (one person's experience here): Lion's Mane: In a study of women, this reduced depression and anxiety after 4 weeks of supplementation. In mild cognitive impairment, a low dose (250 mg tablets containing 96% of Yamabushitake) of Lion's Mane dry powder was administered three times a day for 16 weeks. After termination of the intake, the subjects were observed for the next 4 weeks. At weeks 8, 12 and 16 of the trial, the Yamabushitake group showed significantly increased scores on the cognitive function scale compared with the placebo group. The Yamabushitake group's scores increased with the duration of intake, but at week 4 after the termination of the 16 weeks intake, the scores decreased significantly. Laboratory tests showed no adverse effect of Yamabushitake. Cordyceps: Cordyceps polypeptide may improve learning and memory. In animal models, Cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) remarkably improved depression-like behaviour in stressed mice by the upregulating BDNF and downregulating 5-HT2AR levels and inflammation Reishi: Oral administration of the polysaccharides and water extract from G. lucidum promoted neural progenitor cell proliferation to enhance neurogenesis and alleviated cognitive deficits - it could serve as a regenerative therapeutic agent for the treatment of cognitive decline associated with neurodegenerative diseases. It can enhance immunity and antioxidant activities G. lucidum mushroom have numerous health properties to treat diseased conditions The water soluble polysaccharides showing neuroprotective effects and has nerve growth factor-like neuronal survival-promoting and brain-derived neurotrophic factor-like neuronal survival-promoting compounds From Sceletium to Aptenia, one promising class of antidepressants is the mesembrine-type alkaloids. Mesembrine and Mesembrenone are thought to be the major alkaloids, as the former is confirmed to be a potent serotonin reuptake inhibitor (other sources say releaser) in vitro whereas the latter is a dual serotonin reuptake inhibitor and PDE4 inhibitor. The crude Sceletium plant is said to have a variable range of 0.05-2.3% alkaloids by weight The traditional preparation is fermentation. I'd like to share a bit on Aptenia. This is for research purposes only. Beware of risk of oxalates. While I grow Sceletium and had lots of different experiences with that, this is one that still speaks to me - the abundant, fast growing Aptenia cordifolia, used by Zulu healers. I did some work with it in very low moods at high doses and developed some respect for it's potential. It's one to revisit at some stage. Unfortunately larger scale fermentations (w. roots) were prone to contamination and foul products. I've found you seemingly want to maintain anaerobic conditions, keep it well sealed and use fresh clean material. I've also experimented with ethanol resin extracts. It also contains compounds with non-alkaloid anti-inflammatory activity. "Aptenia cordifolia may contain significant levels of mesembrine-type alkaloids, as compared to other Aizoaceae, though still only 13.6% of the levels found in Sceletium tortuosum. Mesembrine [c. 9.7% of the extract], 4'-O-demethylmesembranol [c. 14.4% of extract] and three unidentified indole compounds were observed." - The Garden of Eden, 2009 Lemon Balm - Melissa Officinalis I grow and use this quite a bit. I've recently been using it as a tea with Passiflora and Chamomile It is said to cheer the heart and lift the spirits, to balance feelings and emotions [1]. Lemon balm treatments were generally associated with improvements in mood and/or cognitive performance [2] Improvements in feelings include “calm”, “secure”, “at ease”, “satisfied”, “comfortable”, “self-confident”, “relaxed”, “content’, “steady” and “pleasant”. "Twenty healthy young participants received single doses of 600, 1000, and 1600 mg of encapsulated dried leaf, or a matching placebo, at 7-day intervals. Cognitive performance and mood were assessed before dose and at 1, 3, and 6 h after dose - data supported the cholinergic receptor-binding properties of M. officinalis and the fact that it acts on mood and cognition in a dose- and time-dependent manner [3] 60 drops/day of lemon balm extract exerted positive effects on cognition in Alzheimer’s Disease Essential oils obtained from Melissa officinalis leaf showed high acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase co-inhibitory activities. It is an efficient antioxidant and hypoglycaemic agent. Melissa inhibited binding of GABAA to receptor channel in the rat forebrain, but had no effect on or nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. They also found that Melissa elicited a significant dose-dependent reduction in both inhibitory and excitatory transmission. A 50:50 mixture of Melissa and Lavender essential oils inhibited [3H] flunitrazepam binding, whereas the individual oils had no significant effect. This was one of the first more medicinal plants I grew. I'm currently exploring fermenting with it. My attempt at an ashwagandharishtha-style preparation [1] [2]. It's a really pleasant way to take the medicine, if you don't mind the interesting flavour. I brew up the Ashwagandha root, boiled with water, with a yeast, sugar/honey and some diammonium phosphate if needed. "Emerging evidence suggests the ability of fermentation to enhance the bioactivity and therapeutic potential of traditional medicines. Indeed, the fermentation was shown to increase the availability of the active molecules and to eliminate the undesired compounds." I find about 3g bd is a decent therapeutic dose for more severe complaints. Withania somnifera can bring significant changes in neurological baseline functions, with the "postulation that it can be applied clinically in prevention, and possibly repair, of central nervous system disorders" [3]. It is proposed to be beneficial in stress - it "effectively improves an individual's resistance towards stress and thereby improves self-assessed quality of life." [4] anxiety and depression [5] , OCD [6], bipolar [7] and schizophrenia [8]. The potential of W. somnifera for neural regeneration has been explored. The fermented brew: |
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