For decades, scientists believed that the adult human brain couldn’t grow new brain cells.
They thought we were born with all the brain cells we’ll ever have – and that when they were gone, they were gone for good.
However, a breakthrough study by researchers at Princeton University proved the opposite.
That study, published in the prestigious Journal of Science, revealed the continuous growth of new brain cells in adult macaque monkeys.
Then, a follow-up study published in the journal Cell found that humans also produce new neurons…
And that – even in old age – your brain still produces around 700 new neurons a day.1
In other words, despite what “medical experts” may tell you, your memory and cognitive performance don’t have to decline.
In fact, they can actually improve as you age.
One of the best ways to boost your brain performance is with a creeping plant native to the wetlands of Africa, India, and northern Australia.
Research shows it can revitalize your brain and nervous system and help you feel sharp and alert as it recharges your memory.
I’m talking about Centella asiatica.
You may know it under the name pennywort, tiger herb, and gotu kola. In Africa, I heard it called the “fountain of life.”
In a number of studies, centella has been shown to boost memory performance, problem-solving abilities, intelligence, and mental energy.2
It does this by increasing neurite growth in brain cells.
This is important because neurites grow into dendrites and axons. Dendrites are the signal receivers on your neurons. Meanwhile, axons form the network that links your brain cells together.
By growing new dendrites and axons, centella promotes higher and faster brainpower. Studies prove it can improve cognitive performance in healthy and cognitively impaired middle-aged and elderly subjects.3,4
Further studies also give us lots of evidence that centella is a powerful antioxidant and brain protector, as well as a nerve growth factor.
Studies show it may also help stop plaque formation in Alzheimer’s disease and prevent dopamine neurotoxicity in Parkinson’s.5,6
I’ve recommended centella for years as a way to treat stroke victims suffering from stroke-related dementia. A recent study backs up what I learned from traditional healers…
According to this study from Indonesia, where centella is used commonly in both traditional and mainstream medicine, concluded that therapy with an extract of the herb at 750 mg per day for six weeks was “effective in improving cognitive impairment after stroke.”
The extract is called TTFCA, which stands for triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica. This contains centella’s most potent components. And it has shown special strength in improving memory.7
Other studies have shown centella is highly effective at preventing strokes in the first place – by promoting healthy veins and combatting high blood pressure. TTFCA improves the dilatation of blood vessels, which decreases blood pressure and improves blood flow throughout your body – from the largest veins to the tiniest of capillaries.8
Sip 2 To 3 Cups Of Brain-Saving Tea Each Day
I watched local healers In Africa take the leaves and roots of centella and boil them down to make a tea for a wide variety of ailments.
Although it’s a little bitter to the taste, you can add it to juice or stir in honey. Here’s the recipe:
- For fresh leaves, dry them in the shade and shift them around from time to time to help them get fully dry. Or you can buy previously dried leaves online or in many specialty health food stores.
- Grind them up into a fine powder.
- Add the powder to a small pan of water. Because centella is very powerful, start with a very small amount until you know how it affects you.
- Boil slowly.
- Strain before drinking. You can cool the mixture and add it to juice as well.
If tea isn’t your thing, you can always supplement. Look for one that is standardized to the asiaticosides or asiatic acid. Take 1,000 mg a day.
No matter which way you take it, I suggest using it for three to four weeks then taking a two-week break before resuming use.
To Your Good Health,
Al Sears, MD, CNS
References:
1. Spalding K, et al. “Dynamics of hippocampal neurogenesis in adult humans.” Cell. 2013 Jun 6; 153(6):1219–1227.
2. Prakash A, Kumar A. “Mitoprotective e ect of Centella asiatica against aluminum-induced neurotoxicity in rats: possible relevance to its anti-oxidant and anti-apoptosis mechanism.” Neurol Sci. 2012 Dec 8.
3. Fujimori H, et al. “The The protective effect of Centella asiatica and its constituent, araliadiol on neuronal cell damage and cognitive impairment.” J Pharmacol Sci. 2022;148(1):162-171.
4. Tiwari S, et al. “Effect of Centella asiatica on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and other common age-related clinical problems.” Dig J Nanomater Bio. 2008;3:215–220
5. Orhan I. “Centella asiatica (L.) Urban: From traditional medicine to modern medicine with neuroprotective potential.” eCAM. 2012;2012:946259.
6. Xu Y, et al. “Gotu Kola (Centella Asiatica) extract enhances phosphorylation of cyclic AMP response element binding protein in neuroblastoma cells expressing amyloid beta peptide.” J Alzheimers Dis. 2008 Apr; 13(3):341-9.
7. Farhana KM, Malueka RG, et al. “Effectiveness of gotu kola extract 750 mg and 1000 mg compared with folic acid 3 mg in improving vascular cognitive impairment after stroke.” eCAM. 2016: 2795915.
8. Incandela L, et al. “Total triterpenic fraction of Centella asiatica in chronic venous insufficiency and in high-perfusion microangiopathy.” Angiology. 2001 Oct.;52 Suppl 2:S9-13.