When you fail to remember something, which you have
read, heard or seen, and cannot remember despite several
efforts then it is called loss of memory power or forgetfulness.
People of all age groups are suffering due to this
problem. In Ayurveda this problem is due to Vata vitiation
which is caused by mental tension, excessive mental work
or not using memory at all, busy schedule throughout the
day, physical and mental weakness or serious head injury.
Ayurveda and Yogic exercises are helpful in improving memory
power and reducing forgetfulness. A strong positive feeling
should be there that the memory power is improving and
forgetfulness is reducing while practicing yogic exercises and
undergoing ayurvedic treatments. While treating any specific
disease we follow the following line of treatment-
Line of treatment - Diet - Medicines - Yoga - Panchkarma
Ayurveda and yoga lay emphasis on diet. Both have some
rules and regulations about timing, regularity, quantity
and which kind of food to be taken by a person with specific
constitution. So, taking well balanced diet and chewing
food properly will certainly help in improving the memory
power. Remember all the things done throughout the day
in a chronological order. In Ayurveda loss of memory is old
age related problem – a Vata age with Vata problem. A short
term memory loss is the result of above mentioned causes.
In ayurveda there are some specific medicines along with
specific Panchkarma procedures. Medicines like Brahmi,
Ashwagandha, Shankhpushpi, Vaca, tagar, Jyotishmati, giloy
helps in regenerating the memory cells. It helps in improving
the blood circulation in the central nervous system resulting
in proper functioning of brain. These herbs are useful in the
treatment of Amnesia and Alzheimer’s disease. Brahmi is the
most common herb used as a tonic for memory enhancement.
It improves the brain power and helps to make your
memory sharp and clear. Brahmi contains chemicals which
help in the protein synthesis of the brain which in turn clears
the mental capacity of a person. It is also used to enhance
the mental powers. This herb also acts as an anti depressant
and anti-anxiety agent and as such Brahmi Oil is used as a
head massage for relaxing the mind. Another herb Ashwagandha
– acts as a stress buster as well as revitalizer for the
brain and as such helps in keep the brain active and calm. It
is mainly used in soothing the brain and keeping it cool for
better performance. It also increases the memory power and
enhances the brain and its nerves.
Treatments like Nasaya, Shirodhara, Shirobasti, head massage
With specific oils like Brahmi oil plays a very beneficial role in
enhancing the memory power.
Yoga asanas provide excellent strength, both physical and mental. Regular practice of these exercises develops the physical and mental capabilities, which improve the memory power, grasping power and intelligence. Sarvangasana and Bhujangasana are the two main asanas for improving memory. Regular practice of these asanas cures all one’s physical and mental related problems, and thereby improves the memory power.
Regular practice of this asana supplies pure blood to the brain. It makes the pituitary and pineal glands healthy, and activates the brain. It increases the memory power, grasping power and intelligence, especially among children. It activates the thyroid and pituitary glands, which result in height increase. This is beneficial for increasing height as it activates the thyroid and pituitary glands. It cures tiredness, weakness and obesity in children. It makes the eyes, ears, nose and other organs healthy. It improves the digestive system, activates the intestines, liver and increases the digestive fire. It cures enlarged liver, swelling, hysteria, hydrosil, hernia and constipation.
Bhujangasana
This rejuvenating asana is also beneficial for improving memory
power. It cures backache, sciatica pain, slip disc, cervical
spondylitis and other spinal problems. It strengthens the
thyroid, para-thyroid glands. It is useful in case of asthma.
It strengthens the liver and is useful in case of loss of appetite,
acidity, diabetes and other stomach related problems. It
makes the backbone flexible and healthy.
Method:
Lie down on your stomach; keep the palms on the ground on
both sides of the chest. The elbows should be lifted upwards and
do not practice this asana in case of hernia.
Pranayama to Improve Memory Power
Regular practice of pranayama along with asana is helpful
for all round development and improvement of the memory
power. Bhastrika, Kapalbhati and Brahmari Pranayama are the
best for this. They improve the memory power and cure forgetfulness.
Kapalabhati Pranayama
This pranayama supplies pure life energy to the brain. It increases
the blood circulation in the brain and removes blood
clots thereby improving the memory power. Other than this,
the toxic and foreign substances from the body are evacuated.
It cures cold catarrh, sinusitis, allergy, tension and other diseases.
It is very useful in cases of phlegm, skin disease, asthma,
heart disease, high and low blood pressure, depression, tiredness,
laziness, sleeplessness, migraine, joint pain, etc. Obesity,
diabetes, constipation, indigestion, gastric problem, disinterest
and other disease are cured and it gives vitality. As a result the
whole body becomes healthy and disease free.
Method:
1. Be seated in a comfortable posture. Padmasana (crossed
leg) and Vajrasana are the ideal yoga postures to practice
pranayama. Place your hands on your knees. Feel relaxed.
Focus on your breathing pattern.
2. Take a deep breath in and then release the breath out. Now
inhale slowly and exhale with a great force. Your abdominal
muscles should get expanded when you inhale and get
contracted when you exhale.
3. The exhalations should be forceful. This exercise is similar to
that of blowing your nose. The process of inhalation and exhalation
should be constant. Make sure that while exhaling,
you are throwing the air out from the lungs with full force.
4. Do not take much effort while inhaling the air. Complete
the procedure of Kapalbhati pranayama by deep inhalation
and exhalation.
Bhastrika Pranayama
Health improves when the brain gets pure life energy. The
prana and mind become stable, nervous weakness is cured
and memory power improves. It cures the tridosha (vata, pitta,
kapha) and problems arising from brain. This cures forgetfulness.
It improves appetite. It is beneficial in case of low blood
pressure, depression, sleeplessness, knee pain, cold catarrh,
headache, diabetes, obesity, loss of appetite and asthma. It
cures thyroid and tonsils and other throat related diseases. It
strengthens the heart and lungs. It is helpful in case of arousal
of kundalini and prana.
Method:
Sit in Padmasana. Inhale with full strength and exhale from
both the nostrils as strongly as you can. Repeat inhaling and
exhaling. Rest when you are tired or exhale completely after
practicing this for 30-40 times. Now place the hand near
the nose and close the left nostril. Breathe from right nostril.
Breathe in as much as you can, put Jalandhar Bandh followed
by Moolbandh. Stop the breathe for some time. Remove
the bandh and exhale from left nostril. This is one cycle of
Bhastrika Pranayam. Repeat two to three times.
Caution:
Do not shake the body while inhaling and exhaling. Do not
practice it in case of high blood pressure, piles, acidity of perspiration
due to heat.
Brahmari Pranayama
It cures brain generated problems, tension, worries, anger,
sleeplessness, depression and other problems and improves
the memory power. It cures anxiety and is useful in case of
restlessness, high blood pressure, heart disease etc. It cures
diabetes, obesity, asthma, nervous weakness, and improve
the memory power. It is beneficial in case of gynecological
diseases. It cures vata, pitta, kapha and other problems. It is
also beneficial in case of headache, cold catarrh, etc.
Method:
Sit in Padmasana and exhale from the nostrils slowly. Then
inhale slowly. Inhale as much as you can and while exhaling
produce a nasal sound. As if you are trying to produce the
ma sound while chanting Om or like the honeybee whirling
around the flowers. Produce this sound and exhale. Try to
make this sound as sweet as possible. Close the ears with the
thumbs in order to block the external noises and keep the
fingers on the forehead. Inhale and exhale and produce the
sound. Repeat this exercise for five minutes.
Caution:
Do not shake the body while inhaling and exhaling. Do not
practice it in case of high blood pressure, piles, acidity or perspiration
due to heat.
Omkar chanting improves the memory power. It increases the
mental strengths. It arouses the Kundalini. It establishes contacts
with the extraterrestrial powers.
Method:
Omkar is very significant in our lives. The letters A, U and
M collectively make this word. The joint powers of Brahma,
Vishnu and Mahesh are included in this word. Om is powerful
and spread in the entire universe but we cannot experience
it. Om should be chanted for introspection, for producing
energy in the body and for circulating the strength. Inhale
and chant A (ah), then close the mouth and say U (oo) and
then exhale and say M (im). Stressing on the letter A, U and M
cures the diseases of stomach, chest and brain respectively.
It is also useful for improving the memory power.
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