Dementia is a common condition—common enough that falling into it is a fear that many people hold as they age. Yang Su-ching, director of Taiwan’s Sun Rise Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic, introduced a series of Chinese medicine dietary treatments and acupressure methods on New Tang Dynasty TV’s program “Talking About Traditional Chinese Medicine” to help seniors improve their brain health.
According to a Columbia University report last year, nearly 10 percent of seniors over the age of 65 in the United States suffer from dementia, and another 22 percent suffer from mild cognitive impairment. In other words, one-third of seniors suffer from cognitive decline. The risk of dementia increases with age, with 35 percent of seniors over 90 suffering from dementia.
What are the symptoms of dementia? Ms. Yang explained that the symptoms of dementia vary from person to person, depending on the location of the brain lesion and the degree of damage. Family members should pay special attention to the elderly when their behavior changes and note when carrying out their everyday activities, such as preparing a meal, becomes difficult, or if they say things such as, “the one who delivers letters” instead of “postman,” she said.
As the disease progresses, some patients become paranoid and experience hallucinations and fantasies of persecution. Ms. Yang cites the experience of an 80-year-old man with dementia who suspected that his wife was having an affair and often threatened her with a knife, even calling the police from time to time.
Ms. Yang emphasized that some symptoms of dementia can be reversed in the initial stages and that it is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible to control the deterioration dementia causes. Family members should also show compassion towards those with dementia, continuing to speak to them with respect.
Four Chinese Herbs for Brain Tea
Some Chinese herbs and remedies have brain tonic effects and can help improve cognitive ability. Dr. Yang recommends a tea that is suitable for elderly people’s daily health care, called “brain tea for invigorating blood and benefiting qi.” Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) physicians refer to the energy in the human body as qi, which circulates in the body to promote blood circulation and maintain various physiological functions of the body.
Brain Tea for Invigorating Blood and Benefiting Qi
Ingredients:
3.5 gm gastrodia elata
7 gm codonopsis root
7 gm salvia miltiorrhiza
2g licorice
Directions:
Brew the ingredients with 500cc of boiling water. Simmer for 5 minutes and it’s ready to drink (can be brewed again.)
According to Dr. Yang, the tea ingredient gastrodia elata contains gastrodin, which can tonify the brain and is often used in TCM to treat hyperactivity disorder in children and improve blood circulation in the brain; codonopsis root can maintain the digestive system; salvia miltiorrhiza can invigorate blood circulation and remove blood stasis; while licorice is used to replenish qi, detoxify the body, and harmonize all medicines—meaning moderate the toxicity and side effects of other medicines.
Research has found that gastrodia elata has a neuroprotective effect and is effective for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Moreover, Alzheimer’s patients often have abnormal intestinal flora, so taking gastrodia elata may help increase intestinal probiotics, which in turn, fight inflammation and oxidation, and improve brain health.
In addition to its use for Alzheimer’s disease-induced dementia, another study suggests that gastrodia elata has an effect on dementia caused by cerebral vascular damage. Animal experiments have also found that the combination of gastrodia elata and licorice can improve cognitive dysfunction.
According to Dr. Yang, some of the commonly used TCM remedies for dementia include Confucian Pill for Hypermnesia, Emperor Heart Formula, Spleen-Restoring Decoction, and Yih Chih Tsong Ming Tong (Astragalus & Pueraria Combination).
Acupressure Method Improves Brain Circulation
TCM physicians also treat dementia with acupuncture and acupressure. Acupoints are points on the body’s qi and blood flowchannels called meridians that have a special function, usually where there are many nerve endings or blood vessels.
Dr. Yang pointed out that scalp acupuncture is often used in the treatment of dementia, with the most commonly chosen acupoints being Shenting (Du24), Baihui (Du20), and Sishencong (EX-HN1). (See illustrations below.)
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In addition, TCM believes that the ear is a microcosm of the human body. A TCM practitioner can paste cowherb seeds on the seven corresponding auricular points of Shenmen (HT 7), Heart, Liver, Brainspot, Brainstem, Subcortex, and Cervical Vertebrae, and you can massage 30 times a day. However, be careful not to massage one hour before or after eating. Keep it on for 3 days and then change to the other ear.
Note: As it is difficult to locate the exact points by oneself, it is recommended to have a TCM practitioner apply the paste.
Dr. Yang said that some patients reported brighter eyes and better sleep after using this method, which is due to the improved circulation of blood and qi in the brain.
Five Foods Good for the Brain
Dr. Yang recommends the following five foods to help reduce dementia symptoms in the elderly:
1. Brown Rice
Brown rice contains tryptophan, which is an essential amino acid that is good for brain health. For senior people with indigestion and gastroesophageal reflux, brown rice can be cooked into a thick porridge.
Animal experiments have found that aging mice, after taking brown rice processed under high pressure (making it easier to digest), improved their cognitive function and reduced the β- amyloid proteins in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
2. Walnuts
Walnuts are shaped like a brain and, correspondingly, have the effect of calming the nerves, preventing memory loss, and increasing blood circulation to the brain.
Studies have found that eating walnuts daily is good for cognitive ability, whether you are young or old.
3. Dark Chocolate
Studies have found that after taking a beverage rich in cocoa flavanols, patients with mild cognitive impairment improved their cognitive and language skills, as well as reduced insulin resistance, blood pressure, and lipid peroxidation.
4. Eggs
Eggs contain lecithin. A study published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews showed that extra consumption of lecithin may reduce the progression of dementia.
A Finnish study also found that men who consume more lecithin have a lower risk of dementia.
5. Bananas
Bananas contain magnesium, tyrosine, and tryptophan—all beneficial to the brain. Consuming bananas can help calm the nerves and provide a gentle laxative effect.
Note:Some of the herbs mentioned above may sound unfamiliar, but many of them can be found in health food stores and Asian grocery stores. These herbal remedies are for daily health care only. For each person’s different physical conditions and diseases, please consult a professional doctor for specific treatment options.
Teresa Zhang is a reporter based in Hong Kong. She has written on health topics for The Epoch Times Hong Kong since 2017, mainly focusing on Traditional Chinese Medicine. She also reports on current affairs related Hong Kong and China. Contact her at teresa.zhang@epochhk.com
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