Tumeric Lemon Balm Brew

Summer is a lovely time to experiment with new recipes, and to enjoy new uses for familiar herbs. Lemon Balm, while good at 'running amok' in the garden, is also brain power super-heroine (& I have had a patch for 4 decades). Lemon Verbena, a tender perennial, which sometimes overwinters in the Northwest, and Tumeric, that golden tuber that gives curry its 'glow' are also super herbs. Combine them with a few more ingredients, & you've got a drink that will 'make your ears wiggle!' while perking up the grey matter - win/win!

A gal-friend has been making Tumeric Lemonade for a few months. She finds it really clears out her brain fog, and has grown quite fond of it. Curcumin is a 'unique antioxidant' found in Tumeric tubers, and the benefits include:

• Supports cognitive function, and overall brain health 
• Anti-inflammatory, it promotes a healthy response to inflammation
• Eases aches and pains
• Supports Cardiovascular function (reducing inflammation)
• Promotes healthy Mood balance 
• Promotes skin elasticity

Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis, an herb in the Mint family, has long been known as a 'tonic

herb,' which can be consumed daily, for optimal health. Like its cousin Rosemary, it is high in antioxidants, many of which also enhance brain function! 

• Calms the mind (the essential oil is great for this, or a cup of tea!)
• Promotes restful sleep (good for both children and adults)
• Promotes skin elasticity, healthy aging (can be used topically)
• Boosts mood and alertness 
• Sharpens the mind and enhances cognitive ability 
• Protects brain cells (anitioxidant: Eugenol)
• Contains several powerful antioxidants
• Supports and protects the liver 
• Balances blood sugar and reduces insulin resistance

Lemon Verbena, Aloysia citrodora, is another high antioxidant lemony herb.

• Anti-inflammatory, helpful in reducing sore muscles and following exercise
• Stress reduction
• Anti-spasmotic, Digestive aide
• Rejuvenate skin
• Reduces muscle damage following exercise
• Antioxidant, boosts immune system

My recipe: Combine a handful of fresh Lemon balm with a few sprigs of lemon verbena in a quart jar, and cover with boiling water. Add one to two Tbsp local honey, cap, and step overnight in the fridge.
Grate two Tbsp fresh turmeric into a small bowl., and sprinkle with fresh ground pepper. Cover with the juice of one lemon, one lime, and 1/2 a ruby grapefruit or orange. Cover and refrigerate.
In the morning combine the two and shake. Pour 4-6 oz into a pretty glass or cup, add 1/4 Cup sparkling water or Kombucha and enjoy.

Coconut Oil & Altzheimer's

When I first began researching the use/safety of coconut oil, one of the first articles I ran across was Dr Mary Newport's 'What if there was a cure for Altzheimer's' - written last year, about a month after she & her husband Steven (only 58, but diag. with Altz.) began using coconut oil & his dementia began decreasing! Since my own mother had dementia, I've been interested in avoiding it - & that article tipped the balance to my 'coconut oil switch!'

Mary's blog gives updates on Steven's progress - a year later, he continues to improve, is happy, & recently got 'bored' - so he's now volunteering at the hospital where Mary works! They have settled on a combo of coconut oil (together, they consume a gallon a month!) & MCT oil, as the MCT oil is faster acting & raises his ketone levels more, but the coconut oil is better at sustaining his mental clarity.

Altzheimer's is being called by some 'Type III diabetes' as there's a connection between how sugars are processed by the liver & brain.

In her most recent blog entry, Mary writes: "A St. Petersburg Times reporter contact me a few days ago, who is doing a story about Axona (the prescription MCT oil) and came across the MCT/CO information on the internet. He wants to do a story about the coconut oil and MCT oil along with the story about Axona and wants to talk with some other folks who have had some results with CO or MCT oil. If anyone would like to have some input, his name is Steve Nohlgren and his email address is Nohlgren@sptimes.com ."

In an earlier post, Mary writes about a a report on BBC News that eating curry once or twice weekly "may fight dementia." Dr Newport comments that the assumption is that the curcumin in the curry makes the difference - but curry is usually made with coconut milk, which contains medium chain fatty acids (from the oil), which will be converted in the liver to ketones.
She ends with the comment: "If there is not enough curcumin in curry to make a difference maybe this other ingredient will!" I just picked up an Indian cookbook w/ lots of curry recipes - most gluten free :) when I was at Borders on the weekend, & look forward to trying them.

If you or a loved one is concerned about your memory - you might consider tring coconut in its many forms!! It's on the federal gov's 'GRAS' (Generally recognized as safe) list, suitable for people of all ages, as MCT oil is used for hospitalized infants & elders!

A fellow on the Yahoo 'coconut oil forum' also suggested checking into a product made from jellyfish that addresses 'calcium binding proteins' for brain health!
Intresting - watching a short video interview on the site, I noticed the researcher presenting the info had the round face & neck that I associate with a sluggish thyroid - wonder if the folks at Quincy Bioscience are aware of the benies of coconut?? :)