Where are my keys? Why did I walk into this room? What's that movie with that guy, and the girl does that thing, and then they go to that city.....?
Our brain is a pretty magnificent organ. Especially our memory. But when we have those moments, it triggers us to remember to take good care of it. That's why you're reading this right?
Your beloved grey matter performs countless unconscious tasks like managing your breathing, regulating our organs, and coordinating the carefully balanced muscle tension that allows us to stand up. All of this happens without you even thinking about it.
But it also allows you to consciously move, speak, look around, make decisions, feel emotions and even learn new skills, like singing, riding a bike, making your own kombucha or knitting yourself a nifty new sweater.
One of the brain’s critical functions is memory. Both short and long term. Many of us take this critical function for granted, until we start losing it. So what kind of maintenance and care can you put into the old noggin to keep your memories sharp and fresh?
The short answer is good old fashioned healthy living. But what does that mean and how does it relate to brain function? On the most basic level, your brain needs two things: oxygen and glucose. If you’re low on either, that’s no bueno.
The vehicle for those vital items is blood. So a healthy diet and a healthy cardiovascular system make a huge difference. And increasing blood flow to the brain helps it function better. In fact, increasing blood flow is great through your entire body.
In general, doing the obvious is important. Don’t smoke, take it easy on the booze, exercise and don’t eat fried and processed foods. Duh. More specifically, there are certain herbs and foods that are known to promote healthy brain function, while others can cloud it.
Eating a lot of grains and sugar can tend to cause a general feeling of malaise and brain fog. On the other hand, your brain is comprised mostly of fat. (Not slim jim and french fried puh-taters fat.) Good fat. Like the fat found in healthy foods like walnuts, avocados, and fish.
Anything that supports your blood vessels also helps. Those tiny capillaries that deliver nutrients to your cells need all the help they can get. Dark colored berries and vegetables go a long way in supporting brain health by supporting your circulation.
Of course, there are also herbs and, you guessed it, a tea that can support your brain by helping to improve blood flow. An Elephant Never Forgets tea contains herbs that feed the brain and promote blood flow. It’s a great option for someone who wants to be alert, but not stimulated by caffeine.
Turmeric is getting pretty famous for helping relieve inflammation, but it’s also beneficial for your brain. Turmeric contains a compound called turmerone that has been shown to help neurons in certain regions of the brain to regenerate. You can read more about that here and here.
We’re always talking about diet. Because diet is just about everything. And because what you drink, is part of your diet, drinking more nutrients, as opposed to soda, kool-aid or Himalayan yak’s milk, can only help you in the long run.
That being said, tea is awesome because you're doing more than getting hydrated when you drink it. If you’re drinking the good stuff - organic, handmade, fresh nutritious herbal blends - you could be infusing and fortifying your body with a nearly limitless combination of vital nutrients. Think of our teas as liquid fuel for your long haul.
Like my Great Great Uncle Cletus always said, “Tea every day keeps the doctor away.” Smart guy.