Brain Health is on our minds these days. Whether we are thinking about the astonishing increase in Alzheimer's disease or just conscious of wanting to nourish ourselves to have more clarity + a better memory ~ Brain health is on our minds.
How do you feel? Would you like to improve your memory or clarity or focus?
All of the usual good habits have an affect on our body, overall -- including brain health.
1. Eat real food
2. Strive for balance -- work. play. rest.
3. Learn how to relax -- take that yoga class or learn how to meditate. Unplug.
Daydream!
4. Spend some time in nature.
I know that there are a lot more good habits to chat about -- These are the basics, and yet we could ask ourselves (i do! daily.. ) about #2.. How are we doing with 'balance'?
I confess to this being a constant 'tug o' war'.... and something I work on --
Today, I'm wanting to share a couple of nourishing brain health 'helpers'.
Find your Focus ~ "Herb-infused energy balls" with Brain Health in mind!
5 from 17 votes
Brain Boosting Herb-infused Energy Balls
These tasty morsels contain delicious ingredients including herbs for cerebral support.
CourseSnack
CuisineHerbal
KeywordHerb-infused 'no-bake' energy balls, Paleo, Vegan, Vegetarian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Author Carol Little R.H.
Ingredients
- 1cupalmond butteror your own favourite
- ½cuptahiniroasted sesame seed butter
- ½cupraw honeymore or less to taste*
- ¼cupcoconut flakesplain or toasted
- 3tablespoonscoarsely sunflower seedsor your choice of nuts/seeds soaked if needed
- 2teaspooncinnamon powder
- 3Tablespoonsunsweetened cocoa powder
- ½cuppowdered Bilberry
- ½cuppowdered Ginkgo leaf
Instructions
Combine the nut butters, tahini and honey in a bowl.
Add the cacao/carob/unsweetened cocoa powder and cinnamon plus any nuts or other flavour additions.
Stir to combine thoroughly.
Add the herbal powders above or choose from my ideas below
Combine thoroughly.
Break apart small chunks of the ‘dough’ with your hands and make 1 inch balls.
This can be such a fun project with any ‘small fry’ in your home!
Set aside on a plate or baking sheet covered with parchment paper.
Put the coconut or cocoa (as shown) or your choice of ‘rolling’ material, onto a plate.
Roll the balls, gently and press lightly to allow the coconut to stick.
Place in the fridge immediately for 2-3 hours to ‘set up’.
Store in a container, with a good lid.
Recipe Notes
I tend to use a cookie tin, and separate the layers with parchment paper.
You can also spread the mixture onto a baking sheet and cut into squares
but I prefer balls
Store theballsin tins or in glass, in a cool place.
They will last for 3 weeks -- but don't count on them lasting that long! SO good! These freeze well too!
I suggest 'changing up' the herbs -- use 2-3 at a time. Ideally over time, make this with different herb combinations for optimum results.
Recipe Online sources:
powdered Bilberry
powdered Ginkgo leaf
As I mentioned above ~ ideally start with Bilberry + Ginkgo -- or a couple of the herbs below and then switch it up, in the next batch or next month!
Herbs can help. I guess you know that is my passion and I am committed to sharing with you as often as I can manage to sit down to write! There's so much to say -- but let's start with these highlights:
Brain Heath ~ some herbal helpers
Bilberry is very high in antioxidants, which can help prevent damage from free radicals. Bilberry protects our eyes from age-related degenerative eye disease by preventing damage to the retina and strengthening capillaries and connective tissue in the eyes. As an herb which supports better circulation, it can be very helpful with improvement of blood flow in the body (especially eyes and brain) Here's a source for powdered Bilberry.
Blueberry
I don't use powdered blueberries, but add the actual berries when I make this recipe with blueberries.
Blueberry extracts have been found toimprove overall cognitive function. In many studies, blueberry demonstrates ability toslow age-related damage to brain cells and protect memory-associated brain regions from oxidative damage.Research indicates that blueberry extracts’ ability to enhance blood flow to the brain can caused "marked increases in brain activity and improvements in 'the' working memory."Blueberry's polyphenols can reduce the deposits of harmful beta amyloid proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Ginkgo improves circulation to the brain. Studies have shown that ginkgo helps to repair nerve tissue damage in the brain, helps improve memory and can protect brain cells.
Here's a source for Ginkgo powder
Gotu kola has been used for centuries to improve memory and can also improve brain health. Research indicates that this tonic herb can increase our mental ability and is a rejuvenating tonic herb, especially for nerve and brain cells.
Here's a source for Gotu kola powder.
Milk thistle offers protection for lives. The high number of environmental toxins that we encounter every day puts extra stress on our hard-working liver, which filters 'out' all those toxins. Milk thistle produces an ingredient called silymarin, which encourages the growth of new cells. Milk thistle is the ultimate liver protector! We can grind milk thistle seeds when we are making this recipe or we can buy milk thistle powder here.
Milk thistle strengthens the liver, helping it to better remove toxins from our body.
Turmeric offers many benefits to an aging body. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory properties that make it useful for treating arthritis, preventing Alzheimer’s disease and improving brain health. Like milk thistle, turmeric also supports the liver. Purchase from your local health food store on online here.
Read more about turmeric here. and more about decreasing inflammation --> here.
Rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis)
Sage (salvia officinalis)
Don't have time to make brain-boosting herb-infused energy balls but still want to add some additional herbal love to your precious brain or maybe you just want to work on that memory? Here's an online source for you. HerbPharm produces great quality herbal products. This tincture is called Brain + Memory -- it's a good choice!
FOOD for Brain health -- another big topic..
Here's a super article from Mark's Daily Apple
Sources:
Foster, S. 101 Medicinal Herbs. Loveland, Colorado: Interweave Press, 1998.
• Schulz, V., R. Hansel, and V. E. Tyler. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physicians’ Guide to Herbal Medicine. Berlin: • Springer, 1998.
• Weiss, R. F. Herbal Medicine. Translated from the German by A. R. Meuss. Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield, 1988.
Here's hoping you try some of these ideas!
Wishing you only best health +
a healthy blissfully happy brain!
green wishes, Carol xo
