Botanical Brain Balms: Medicinal Plants for Memory, Mood and Mind: Essential Plants for Memory, Mood and Mind

I like the fact that this book provides the science behind the plant. Excellent book.

Nice use of colours in the book. Very useful book for tips on various ailments. A book for life that you can refer back to again and again when you need to. I have about 3 books like this now, one about herbs and natural medicines, one about aromatherapy oils for various ailments( both books I have used on and off over several years when needed, and now this one!

Difficult to navigate

A recent study found that prescriptions for anti-depressants (but not other drugs) have increased since the Brexit referendum. Given doom-laden talk about cliff edges and food rationing, it’s tempting to see a connection. Whatever the reason, stress, anxiety and depression affect far too many of us, so this book – an uplifting thing of beauty in itself – is both timely and valuable. While emphasising that severe depression always requires expert medical intervention, Botanical Brain Balms explains how plants, properly understood and prepared, can offer a self-help means to lift the spirits, balance mood swings and relieve mild depression.One of the authors is an Emeritus Professor of Neuroscience, the other has a PhD in Pharmacognosy (the study of drugs derived from plants and natural sources). They match this background in rigorous academic research with a long-standing interest in the history and folklore of plants and healing. Very often they find that traditional beliefs about the healing qualities of plants can be validated by 21st-Century science. Their work is grounded, literally, at Dilston Physic Garden in Northumberland, established and developed by the authors over the last 20 years as a place for growing, teaching, experiment and healing.This book gives detailed profiles of 56 plants for which clinical trials have demonstrated a positive effect on mind and mood. For each one there is a photograph, a general description, an account of the history and folklore, paragraphs on research findings – in the lab and in human trials, a list of key components, safety guidance and advice about how to prepare and take the plant.There are chapters on Calming Balms (e.g Passionflower and Bergamot), Blues Busters (St John’s Wort, Turmeric), Extra Energizers (Ginkgo, Nettle, Ginger) and Sleep Promoters (Valerian, Vervain). One chapter looks at Plant Panaceas – these are all-rounders which offer several benefits. Lavender, for example, promotes sleep, relieves pain and may even improve memory.Although scientifically authoritative, and well supplied with academic references, the book is in no way daunting for the general reader. Beautifully designed and illustrated, the detailed plant descriptions are interspersed with appealing recipes and diverting and helpful snippets on such subjects as Alexander Technique, forest bathing, breathing techniques and walking a labyrinth. A joy to dip into or to read from cover to cover, and a very useful work of reference, Botanical Brain Balms even offers evidence-based justification for the consumption of bananas and dark chocolate.

Not only is this book a good read, it is full of science, folklore and practical information. Beautiful illustrations and structured information on every plant. I have read it cover to cover and will come back to it every time I need to make an informed choice as to which plant or plants may benefit my health and well being. I have already tried and tested the Lemonbalmade recipe, perfect for the hot weather lately.

A beautifully presented and thoroughly researched book that offers so much to anyone interested in the healing power of aromatics and 'natural' solutions to combat fatigue, depression, pain, memory function and more. Presenting the scientific evidence whilst thoroughly grounded in growing and working with plants, the book offers solutions and ideas that can be easily taken up, and it can be dipped into or read for it's deliciousness from cover to cover (which I took great delight in doing). The science has some catching up to do, and yet, recent insight from neurology and psychology are screaming at us to take more notice of smell and olfactory function and how these link to emotion, memory, well-being. The book is brain food that is ahead of the game.

Amazing book. Fascinating science and an amazing hollistic blend of plants, medicine and nutrition. Really informative, enjoyable and accessible too.

Really good book