It’s that time of year again when the way we learn and retain information comes into focus. Whether we are students, parents, employees, younger or more mature, memory retention and critical thinking skills can contribute to our quality of life or, when lacking, increase life’s challenges.
The good news is that we can improve our learning skills naturally. Have you heard about the remarkable nutritional benefits found in hempseeds? These small round seeds are delicious, with a taste somewhere between sunflower seeds and pinenuts. Hempseeds contain 33% complete protein by weight, including all 21 amino acids, a rare find in the vegetable kingdom. Many protein-rich foods can cause food sensitivities, yet there have been no reported allergies to hempseeds.
Hempseeds miraculously contain 9% of the omega-3 fatty acids by weight, those ‘good fats’ that help build healthy cells in the brain, heart, nerves, cardiovascular system, eyes, and virtually every system in the human body. In just one tablespoon of hempseeds, we receive a full gram (1,000 mgs.) of the vegetarian form of omega-3 fats. With over-fishing of oceans and high mercury content, organic hempseeds are a prudent alternative to fish oil.
Omega-3 fats are credited with dozens of health benefits, helping depression, ADHD, bi-polar disorder and Alzheimer’s disease. Children learn better, have higher IQ scores, and show greater confidence with a diet rich in good fats.
Sprinkle them on everything, store in a jar with a tight-fitting lid, and then get them right back into the frig for freshness. If you have digestive issues from acid reflux to intestinal problems, try grating some organic ginger root onto your food along with the hempseeds; this will allow you to access the healthful nutrients more easily.
Two world renowned herbs can also offer benefits throughout life. Holy basil (Tulsi) and Rhodiola rosea are both shown in extensive research to help improve the spirits, nourish the adrenals, ease excess inflammation, and support physical and emotional endurance, helping those with ADHD, learning difficulties, headaches, anxiety, poor sleep, a restless mind or the blues.
Each of these safe herbs can help the body regulate cortisol, a chemical released by the adrenals when we’re deeply stressed, fearful or have repeated negative thoughts. Excess cortisol levels have been linked to a wide array of conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, IBS, arthritis and numerous auto-immune disorders.
Researchers believe another key action of Rhodiola extract within the body is caused in part by an increased permeability of the blood brain barrier to the building blocks of dopamine and serotonin, two important neurotransmitters within the brain and nervous system.
Holy basil has over 8,000 years of recorded usage, with no known side effects. Rhodiola has more than 3,000 years of history, and the only known side effect is that it can be slightly stimulating for some when taken later in the day. Interestingly, this doesn’t seem to be true for most teens.
Cindy Hebbard is available for Wellness Consultations for adults, teens, children, families and pets, in person or by phone. Find holistic support for your chronic health concerns and begin to feel better, naturally! Visit www.wisdomofhealing.com or write cindy@wisdomofhealing.com