Ginko and Ginseng are noted for those qualities. Ginseng for longevity, Ginko for regenerating brain cells, and improving memory. Get yourself a good herb book, and look them up for suggested dosages, etc.
Enjoy! Lynn

Also Gotu Kola. Rosemary for the memory and clarity of thought. Doing crossword puzzles and other 'mind games' is better than any herb or medicine for getting and keeping the brain functioning efficiently. If there was a herb which would prevent the aging process, I'd be the first in queue for it!

In addition to the great herbs noted above, reduce junk food, especially sugary snacks and increase green, orange and yellow veggies. Better fuel = better mileage!

Although Ginkgo has been shown to improve memory and cognitive function in AlzheimerÂs disease, other age related memory loss and brain trauma, it does not improve memory in "normals". In general, both human and animal trials show memory improvement in those with significant loss but little or no improvement in normals.

Try eating a balanced diet, get moderate exercise daily, avoid too much caffeine and get eight hours sleep.

Mature students often do better than young'uns because they are focused and committed to the task and not distracted by pubs, dates, etc etc.

Brahmi has been one of the best herbs I have tried,I havnt eaten it dried,I only eat freshly harvested herbs.
There is a such a big differance when you eat them fresh.

If you go to this web page you see some very interesting info about brahmi.
It was this info that got me eating it.
It helped me also get over brain damage caused by a car accident.
http://www.herbsarespecial.com.au/newpages/book/sample/sample10.html

The essential oils of Rosemary, Basil and Peppermint are all very helpful in promoting a clear and alert mind. Memory stimulation seems to be very receptive to essential oils, one reason may be that both the sense of smell and memory functions share the same area of the brain.

Rosemary seems to be considered the king when it comes to clear headedness and concentration as well as enhancing memory. I've used these oils often and they have worked quite well for me - I usually use Rosemary when I have work that needs concentrated effort and Peppermint for a pick-me-up when I am feeling mental fatigue.

There are a variety of ways to use them - simply taking a few whiffs from their bottle when you feel the need is fine, using a diffuser if that is convenient gives off a wonderful aroma or even just putting a few drops on a cotton ball to carry with you to smell once in a while. These can be used on the skin, but I would dilute them with a little lotion or oil first as they are quite potent. I use about 1-2 drops in a tablespoon of carrier (lotion -oil, even vegetable oil) and that seems to be adequate, then I just put some on each wrist and the scent is with me for a few hours.
Good luck with your schooling, I know how you feel!

gotu kola takes about two weeks to notice the difference like being able to remember licence plates in a parking lot ( I'm talking about a big parking lot) and it takes six months to get back to "normal".

Dry fruits like Almonds, Pistachio and almost all kind of edible fruits and dry fruits will provide some help.
I beleive Brahmi and Gotu cola is the same herb.It is very good for memory and highly recommended herb in Ayurvedic medicine.

It is absolutely INCORRECT to say "[ginkgo] does not improve memory in "normals"."

Gingko has helped improve cognitive functioning of many "normals" during its thousands of years of human usage. While a small number of studies did not show gingko to improve memory in "normals," there are certainly other studies -- plus centuries of human usage -- which show otherwise. It is one of the oldest medicine trees still growing on the planet.

Some of the clinical testing of gingko use too low a dose to show improvement in unimpaired individuals. For example, tests were conducted using 60mg/daily, whereas serious herbal practictioners find that 300mg/daily is an effective dosage.

Clinical testing of herbs & other non-drug therapies in North America is very often biased & designed to produce failure. Some common ways that this is done is to use improper form (dried as opposed to fresh herb; standardized extracts as opposed to whole herb; plant parts harvested in the wrong season; etc.), or improper dosage (not enough to be effective; ridiculously high amounts that produce undesirable side effects).

Please keep that in mind when evaulating this and other venerable herbs.

And while I'm particularly found of gingko & gotu kola because they were so profoundly helpful during my recovery from a head injury 3 years ago, I don't thing gingko should be taken casually. Good diet, gotu kola & the essential oils are great ideas. Be sure to get your gotu kola from reputable source, or grow your own (easy) to avoid the sometimes high levels of contaminants in the imported herb.

And to echo herbalynn (hi lynn!): always do your homework first.

Green Blessings,
bushpoet

Someone on this thread mentioned that Brahmi and Gotu Kola are the same herb.
Brahmi and Gotu Kola are not the same herb,I grow both and they are not the same thing.

kevin_nsw,
You may look into www.holisticonline.com for Brahmi or Gotu Kola.

I drink sage tea for mental sharpness and to help my memory.

Thank you Kevin. I thought I had "forgotten" tho name of one of the common names for Centella asiatica / Hydrocotyle asiatica minor (gotu kola) What is the botanical name for Brahmi?

This web page for Brahmi,with botanical name.
http://www.herbsarespecial.com.au/newpages/book/sample/sample10.html

This one for Gotu Kola,with botanical name.
http://www.herbsarespecial.com.au/newpages/book/sample/sample28.html

Im not all that good with "proper names",but I know there is a differance because I grow them both and for differant reasons.