Herbs for Improving Quality of Life for Alzheimer Patients

Perhaps the standard afternoon tea for elderly patients should be enhanced with some herb?  Well, probably not the recreational kind, at least.  I'm thinking of the garden variety - lemon balm and sage.

Studies conducted by  professors at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in 2004 showed sage has a considerable effect on behavior and attention.  When lemon balm was added to sage, the combination of these two herbs improved memory and mood. In both cases, extracts of the herbs were used as opposed to the raw leaf form.

Elaine Perry, who is a professor at the university was quoted to confirm the results saying, "Lemon balm reduced agitation and improved quality of life in people with Alzheimer's disease.

Millions of people worldwide suffer from dementia.  Symptoms of this condition are characterized by memory loss and a progressive decline in thinking, comprehension and judgment. Alzheimer's disease is the leading type of
the disorder in the elderly.

Alzheimer's is caused by the build-up of protein deposits called amyloid plaque and the accumulation of tangles in the brain. Currently the medical community treats symptoms with drugs, which can alleviate symptoms but there is no cure.

"Plant Extracts May Ease Dementia Symptoms" Reuters Health, 3/5/04, reutershealth.com

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