The most effective home remedies for dementia include the use of ginseng, salvia, turmeric, ginkgo, fish oil, bananas, cinnamon extract, vitamin B12, coconut oil, club moss, berries, almonds, pumpkin, leafy greens, beans, and kale. You can also make behavioral changes including breaking the routine, creative stimulation, meditation, and aromatherapy.
Dementia is a wide term that includes a number of neurocognitive impairments that are serious enough to hamper daily life activities. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of this condition, which leads to gradual memory loss and decline in thinking abilities.
Treatments for Dementia
Unfortunately, there is no cure for dementia, which often makes it a long, painful journey for both the affected and their family members or caretakers. Cholinesterase inhibitors are probably the most popular medications, but these can only slow down the progression of dementia and cognitive impairment. There are certain causes of dementia that can be reversed, including B12 deficiency and syphilis, so if you are able to cure the underlying cause, then dementia can be “cured”, per se. [1]
When more formal pharmaceutical treatments are complemented by natural home remedies, greater improvement can often be seen. However, most cases can only be mediated, and the quality of life of the afflicted can be improved in a number of ways. Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the best home remedies for dementia. [2]
Dementia is a collective term used to describe various symptoms of cognitive decline, such as forgetfulness. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Home Remedies for Dementia
Here are some of the best home remedies for dementia:
Salvia
Salvia has microdilation properties that can increase blood flow in parts of the brain that are responsible for memory and cognition to slow the decline that occurs in dementia. [3]
Turmeric
Turmeric has been shown to block the creation of beta-amyloid, which is the source of plaque in the brain that compounds the issues of dementia. Cook with turmeric to let this spice bring flavor and health to your meals. [4]
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil reverses nerve damage to help boost communication with the brain and ensure normal cognition for those suffering from early signs of dementia. [5]
Creative Stimulation
Creating new neural pathways by engaging in creative stimulation, such as learning a new skill, pursuing a new hobby, or seeking a new area of intellectual exploration. This can help strengthen the network of cognition that breaks down in dementia sufferers. [6]
Kale
This cruciferous vegetable is a rich source of both folate and carotenoids, which lower homocysteine levels. Homocysteine has been directly linked to cognitive impairment, so anything to combat that substance is a welcome relief to dementia patients. [7]
Pumpkin
Pumpkin and other similar squash species contain iron and folate, both of which are important for circulation and cognitive function. [8]
Breaking Routine
Falling into a routine can be a dangerous habit as one gets older, eliminating new routes, experiences, conversations, and topics. By narrowing one’s life to a smaller scope of knowledge and communication, the brain stops maintaining those unused portions, so continually challenge and surprise yourself to keep the brain fresh! [9]
Spinach
Spinach and other leafy green vegetables contain folate and B9, which have both been linked to boosted cognitive function. They also lower levels of depression, which can be a major side effect of dementia, pulling sufferers deeper into themselves, and further limiting their engagement with the world. [10]
Ginkgo
Gingko is one of the oldest and most trusted natural remedies for dementia and Alzheimer’s. Numerous research studies show that ginkgo is able to increase microdilation and circulation within the brain to boost short-term memory. Ginkgo biloba supplements are some of the most popular herbal remedies for cognitive function in the world. [11]
Fish Oil
Omega-3 fatty acids are the “good” cholesterol that is beneficial in preventing brain lesions, which are often precursors or causative elements behind dementia. [12]
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy has been linked to lower levels of stress hormones, anxiety, and depression, as well as boosted cognitive performance and memory. [13]
Bananas
Bananas are a rich source of potassium, an excellent vasodilator, which is a wonderful way to boost oxygenated blood flow to the brain, thus improving cognition, memory, and concentration. [14]
Cinnamon Extract
Cinnamon extract has been proven to reduce plaque buildup in the brain, thus boosting memory and cognition. [15]
B12 Supplements
A deficiency in this essential vitamin is one of the primary reversible causes of dementia. If you are suffering from premature dementia, there is a good chance that you are also suffering from a B12 deficiency. This can be easily fixed with supplements, or by consuming foods like sardines, shrimp, tuna, beef, and yogurt. [16]
Almonds
Nuts, in general, are some of the best sources of minerals and unique antioxidants, including magnesium, folate, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin B6. Just a handful of almonds, walnuts, or peanuts can give you a solid boost of these cognition-enhancing compounds! [17]
Meditation
Meditation is linked to better circulation, reduced anxiety, improved memory, and overall metabolic health, and it certainly never hurts to relax and clear your mind for a while. [18]
Club Moss
This popular herb has long been trusted to improve cognition, and studies have shown a 50% improvement in cognitive performance and memory in patients taking regular club moss supplements. [19]
Word of Caution: As there is no cure for dementia, these home remedies are intended to boost the quality of life and delay or slow the progression of dementia. If the condition continues, more formal medical attention and care will likely be required.
