Memory makes the man! Who are we if not the sum of our experiences and memories? Memory is an inherent part of our personalities. It defines the way a person behaves and makes decisions in life.

It’s said that memories are collected in our brains in 2 ways–in form of proteins and in form of holographs.

And then these memories are responsible for making new connections with others, leading to specific patterns of thinking, behavior, and decision-making.

So, what you need are two things –

1. Good filters – so that you sort out and isolate the good and healthy thoughts.
2. Good keepers – so that you can keep them in your brains as long as you want.

Ayurveda provides ways to both of these, filters and keepers. For good filters, Ayurveda suggests following Sadvritta, a righteous way of behavior for self as well as society.

It makes an individual not just a healthy person but a better person, by fading out the ill, wrong, and negative memories, through self-restraining and mindfulness.

And for the keepers, Ayurveda possesses a whole lot of treasure, from babies (to make them more intelligent) to old age people (to avoid senile dementia).

But, in today’s day and age, where almost every piece of information is available on the Internet, having an eidetic memory may not be a must-have, but it definitely helps.

Google doesn’t have all the answers. For instance, your grandmother’s exclusive recipe, personal anecdotes, anniversary dates of your loved ones, etc.

A good memory not only helps in memorizing information with great precision, but it is also valuable for your creative pursuits.

It helps you better understand concepts and quickly wrap your head around complex topics that may seem impossible to grasp.

Diet for Better Memory: -

• Eat foods rich in vitamin B. For example, beetroot and carrots.
• Avoid eating dairy-based products in excess as they can cause Kapha imbalance and impair cognitive function.
• Avoid processed foods and carb-rich snacks that contain added sugar.
• Besides eating brain development food, opt for an occasional detox or fasting to cleanse your digestive system. Combine it with meditation and yoga for cognitive benefits.

Memory Boosting Herbs: -

• Shankhapushpi - Increase cognitive ability & Calming effect on the mind.
• Brahmi – Manage Stress.
• Ashwagandha - Improve concentration, reaction time, and memory.
• Suvarna prashan is the best remedy used nowadays by many parents to boost the memory of their children.
• Dementia caused by old age can be prevented by sufficient use of ghee in daily meals. A regular detox therapy like Basti followed by Rasayana medicines like Brahma rasayan which are rejuvenating in quality can be used to avoid this.

Ayurvedic Remedies: -

• Amla
• Almond
• Brahmi Ghrut
• Cinnamon

Lifestyle-related tips: -

Besides Ayurvedic home remedies for sharp memory, an active lifestyle is paramount to your body and mind's health.

If you do not enjoy working out at the gym, here’s what you can do instead – Yoga, Meditation.

Edited by – Dr. Neelesh Patil