Exams! It's that time again!

Arhh!! I hate this time of the year. As I always tell my girls, every year's exams is crucial. Even small little tests - nope the daily work is crucial too.

I'm not sure whether it was the reverse method I used last year that made her perform better or she "grew up". I'm going to try the reverse method on her again this time round. At the same time, introduce some essential oils in their study room. (time to stock up on chicken essence too!)

I extracted this article from : http://www.anniesremedy.com

Memory & Focus:Herbs Using Herbs For: Concentration/Memory/Focus Herbal Remedies for Concentration/Memory/Focus Herbs Used for Concentration/Memory/Focus Basil Essential oil For: Mental Clarity, Focus Oil of Basil is an excellent, indeed perhaps the best, aromatic nerve tonic. It clears the head, relieves intellectual fatigue, and gives the mind strength and clarity. 23 Black Pepper For: Mental Focus, Headache In homeopathic practice black pepper is used for difficulty in concentrating, heavy headache, and a sad, apprehensive state of mind. 23 Brahmi For: Alzheimer's disease, attention deficit disorder (ADD), memory problems, and Parkinson's disease Brahmi is useful in treating a variety of conditions that involve impaired mental capacity, Alzheimer's disease, attention deficit disorder (ADD), memory problems, and Parkinson's disease. Laboratory studies indicate that brahmi improves intellectual function primarily by balancing the chemicals gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate in the brain. 52 Club Moss For: Alzheimer's Although it is used primarily to treat the early symptoms of Alzheimer's, many people are taking it to improve memory and enhance mental alertness. 36 Dandelion leaves For: Alzheimer's disease The leaves provide vitamins A and C, the flowers are one of the best sources of lecthin, a nutrient that elevates the brains acetylcholine and may play a role in stemming Alzheimer's disease. 27 Eleuthero For: Concentration and focus Eleuthero boosts concentration and focus without the letdown than comes from stimulants like caffeine. Ginko Biloba For: Brain Function The phytochemicals unique to the ginkgo tree restore better blood flow to the brain, allowing improved use of oxygen, and protect the cells from free radicals 27 Ginseng For: Boost mood, improve memory Ginseng may boost mood, improve memory and attention, lengthen physical and mental endurance, improve test scores, and ease anxiety. Although the exact mechanisms of activity are not known, it is likely that ginseng protects a portion of the brain known as the hippocampus from the effects of stress hormones. This prevents memory problems, a common complaint among people under stress. This mechanism would also explain the usefulness of ginseng in preventing loss of memory and cognitive ability in people who suffer from bipolar disorder, depression, and a disorder of the adrenal glands known as Cushing's disease. 27 Gotu Kola For: Memory, concentration Research has also demonstrated the beneficial effect of Gotu Kola, Centella asiatica, on memory, concentration and mental performance levels Horsebalm (Mondara) For: Memory The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved tacrine hydrochloride (Cognex), a medication that reportedly slows progression of the Alzheimer's disease by preserving acetylcholine in the brain. Horsebalm (Monarda, various species), contains the beneficial compound carvacrol, which helps prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine. Horsebalm also contains thymol, which also prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine. 27 Peppermint essential oil For: Mental clarity Cooling and refreshing peppermint energizes the mind and mood, helping to improve mental clarity and memory Periwinkle For: Mental Aging, Dementia The health benefits of vincamine and related compounds, which are sold as drugs in Europe, relate to the treatment of primary degenerative and vascular dementia. As a dietary supplement, vincamine is promoted as a nootropic. The effects of aging are generally chronic, raising concerns about the safety of long-term use of vincamine in its targeted population.. . Vincamine article at NIH.gov. (), Yerba mate For: Increasing concentration Mate has the effect of stimulating the mind, increasing concentration and easing depressive moods, while not interfering with sleep like coffee may.