By: Amanda Schroeder
Generally, when speaking about nutrition, a strong emphasis is placed on the benefits to our physical health. We are told that eating well can reduce the instance of certain diseases, increase our lifespan, and lower our overall body weight. We learn that vitamins and minerals can promote proper functioning of each of our organ systems and even strengthen our bones or vision. The physical benefits are seemingly endless, and that is fantastic! I already love eating, but I love it even more when I know all of the marvelous benefits my body will experience. But, the World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” So, what about your mental health? Could foods you put in your body play a role in the way that you feel, think, and even remember? According to two studies performed at Northumbria University in Newcastle, certain herbs might be able to do just that!
Peppermint and Chamomile
In the first study, healthy participants were given computerized tests assessing their cognition and mood before the consumption of either peppermint tea, chamomile tea, or regular hot water. They were tested again after consumption, and their scores were compared. Those who were given peppermint tea exhibited enhanced levels of cognitive function; they were better able to remember words and pictures throughout the duration of the experiment. This signifies that peppermint tea might offer improvements particularly in the areas of long term memory and working memory. They also noted improvements in their moods, probably due to their heightened sense of alertness and awareness. Participants who were given chamomile tea, on the other hand, showed very different cognitive changes. They felt a calming, sedative effect, leading them to also experience a positive shift in their moods. Though both groups suggested elevated moods, those who drank chamomile tea performed more poorly on the computerized tests. Their accuracy and response speed greatly suffered compared to their previous scores and those of the other groups.
Rosemary and Lavender
This study considered a group of people who were at least 65 years old. Again, each person’s mood and memory were assessed before the experiment began, but this time the memory test focused on prospective memory, or the ability to remember to do something at a particular time or after receiving a prompt to do so. Participants were then assigned to different rooms to be retested. Some were assigned to a room scented with rosemary essential oil, others were placed in a room scented with lavender essential oil and the final group took their follow-up test in an unscented room. People in the rosemary room had scores that were 15% higher than those in the unscented room, meaning their prospective memory capabilities were pretty dramatically enhanced. This finding is particularly notable for this age group, since prospective memory allows you to remember to follow daily medical treatment, like taking medications. Similar to chamomile in the previous study, retesting in a lavender scented room was correlated with a reduction in prospective memory, but a significant increase in contentedness and calmness.
According to the Head of the Department of Psychology at Northumbria University, Dr. Mark Moss, the findings of this research suggest that each of the herbs tested could have favorable cognitive effects. He also asserts that healthy individuals who ingest peppermint or rosemary might expect to experience the same improved memory shown in the study. Despite the exciting results, we still cannot conclude that these herbs will have the same effect for each individual. And, as always, check with your doctor before you start any kind of herbal supplementation to rule out any medicinal interactions. Several more large-scale studies must be completed before we can make any real claims, but in the meantime, pass me the peppermint tea!
Take a look at these links for more info about the herbs in the study!
- Chamomile: An Herbal Medicine of the Past with a Bright Future
- Peppermint: Health Benefits and Precautions
- Rosemary: Health Benefits, Precautions and Drug Interactions
- Health Benefits of Lavender
- Easy Gardening Guide – Rosemary
- Growing Herbs in Texas
References