• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Medical Herbalist | Nikki Hawkes

Medical Herbalist MNIMH

See Available Appointments

  • Home
  • About
    • Credentials
    • Testimonials
    • FAQs
  • Conditions
  • Contact
  • Location
    • Privacy policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Herbalist registers
  • Fees
    • Functional herbal medicine
    • What happens in a consultation
  • Resources
    • Newsletter
    • 300 A to Z herbs list
    • Programs
    • Courses
    • Books I recommend
    • Equipment for making herbal remedies
  • Latest posts
    • Medicinal Herb of the Month
  • Dashboard Login
    • Herbal Medicine Making
    • The Smooth and Soothe program

Sniffing out Alzheimer’s disease

April 30, 2019 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

loss of sense of smell might indicate early cognitive decline

Scientists have discovered that one of the earliest symptoms related to the development of Alzheimer’s disease is a problem with the sense of smell.

The number of people with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia, is increasing rapidly. It is one of the most dreaded of diseases and yet modern medicine seems capable of only slowing progression not reversing it.

With the sheer numbers of cases we are likely to see as worldwide life expectancy rises, this disease is a tragedy in the making. With a huge potential burden both personally and globally.

Yet scientists believe that there are many opportunities to prevent or reverse Alzheimers disease. Especially when we understand that the course of disease progression in Alzheimer’s disease occurs over decades before the diagnosis.

Many studies report that reduced ability to smell, and even the complete loss of ability to smell odours is a part of ageing. The areas of the brain that are responsible for the recognition of smells are very close to the hippocampus in the brain. The hippocampus is the primary site where scientists believe Alzheimer’s disease begins. This proximity may mean that changes in the hippocampus may impact on the olfactory area of the brain that is responsible for detection and recognition of smells. In fact a meta-analysis found that the sense of smell declined as people in the trial progressed from mild cognitive impairment to a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting the possibility of using the sense of smell to identify Alzheimer’s disease even before the decline in memory.

Whilst many people might not want to know if they are at risk for, or progressing towards dementia. If a deterioration in our sense of smell is the earliest known symptom that we might be at risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease, at least knowing this gives us the chance to potentially slow further progression of this deadly disease.

Since Alzheimer’s disease is a complex disease, that can have different causes and effects on people, there can be many different prevention strategies. One strategy might be to explore the use of traditional herbal remedies that were used to promote longevity. Since longevity implies long life without physical or mental impairment, this might be a worthy option.

In fact scientists are already looking at the potential of herbal medicine in preventing Alzheimer’s disease. This study suggests that Panax ginseng improves cognitive function and other markers of Alzheimer’s disease.

Panax ginseng is a well known herbal medicine that has been widely used in the Far East for thousands of years. As a general tonic it was said to boost energy, improve mood and promote longevity. Usually known simply as ginseng, this herbal remedy is said to increase resistance to infections and the ability to withstand stresses. As an adaptogen herb this remedy has a wide range of beneficial effects and few side effects.

In this study patients with Alzheimer’s disease received 4.5g per day of Panax ginseng, for 12 weeks. This study found that Panax ginseng was able to show improvements in cognitive performance during this period.

While another study used either 4.5g per day, 9g per day, or no ginseng for Alzheimer’s patients, again the trial lasted 12 weeks. Again, this trial showed that ginseng was able to improve cognitive performance in Alzheimer’s patients.

However, Panax ginseng is known to interact with certain medications and so may not be suitable for everyone. On the other hand there are several other herbal medicines that have been studied in relation to Alzheimers disease that have shown benefits. In fact traditional systems of medicine abound with tonic herbal remedies that promote health, enhance memory, intellect and quality of life.

It’s never too early to start addressing your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Contact a medical herbalist to find out how herbal remedies can help prevent your cognitive decline.

You might also like:
Can gardening reverse cognitive decline?

Share

Filed Under: healthy ageing, mind and mood Tagged With: Alzheimer's disease

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Follow me on facebook

Read my article in Your Healthy Living

Your Healthy Living Magazine Article

Popular Posts

Experts confirm herbal medicines may protect against drug-resistant infectionExperts confirm herbal medicines may protect against drug-resistant infection380 Total Shares
Probiotics and migraine preventionProbiotics and migraine prevention310 Total Shares
Is St Johns Wort a potential migraine treatment?Is St Johns Wort a potential migraine treatment?161 Total Shares
8 natural alternatives to NSAIDs8 natural alternatives to NSAIDs123 Total Shares
How acupuncture works – from a Western perspectiveHow acupuncture works – from a Western perspective110 Total Shares
5 natural remedies for perennial allergic rhinitis5 natural remedies for perennial allergic rhinitis87 Total Shares
How to boost your immune system with shiitake mushroomsHow to boost your immune system with shiitake mushrooms70 Total Shares
Why your gut health is more important than you thinkWhy your gut health is more important than you think44 Total Shares
Best herbal remedies to heal skin ulcersBest herbal remedies to heal skin ulcers33 Total Shares
A different approach to Meniere’s diseaseA different approach to Meniere’s disease12 Total Shares
Is bone broth harmful?Is bone broth harmful?6 Total Shares
Some reasons a low FODMAP diet may not work for IBSSome reasons a low FODMAP diet may not work for IBS4 Total Shares
  • Home
  • About
  • Conditions
  • Contact
  • Location
  • Fees
  • Resources
  • Latest posts
  • Dashboard Login

Medical Herbalist and Herbal Clinic | Oakham, Stamford, Peterborough, Leicester and online | © Nikki Hawkes 2023. All Rights Reserved.

This website or its third-party tools use cookies which are necessary to its functioning and required to improve your experience. By clicking the consent button, you agree to allow the site to use, collect and/or store cookies.
Please click the consent button to view this website.
I accept
Deny cookies Go Back