Certain Herbs Improve Age-Related Cognitive Decline

A U.S. neuroscientist who tested the effect of different herbs on the brains of mice with age-related cognitive decline – a precursor of Alzheimer’s disease – compiled some interesting findings. She found, for example, that enhanced extracts from special antioxidants in spearmint and rosemary improved learning and memory in the test animals. There were also signs of reduced oxidative stress, a sign of age-related mental decline. The researcher acknowledged, however, that while spearmint and rosemary are probably beneficial for humans, there is still no way to tell how much would have to be consumed for people to see the same benefits. “In other words,” she said, “I’m not suggesting that people chew more gum at this point.”