Cognitive dysfunction or memory loss is the mildest of memory problems and starts with forgetting names, going into a room and forgetting why you went there. There may be loss of sleep or loss or motivation to do things (boredom), and depressive symptoms may be part of cognitive dysfunction.
Causes of cognitive dysfunction (memory loss) may be prescription medications such as cholesterol-lowering drugs, sadness, loss of family or friends, or giving up on life.
From the medical perspective look for the cause from prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking. Next, blood tests may be able to tell whether the thyroid or something else is not working properly. Many times there are few answers and doctors may prescribe drugs for dementia or Alzheimer’s.
From the natural perspective we want to find the cause and look at the diet, lifestyle, exercise, and the emotions too. A combination of homeopathics, diet and nutrition, cell salts, and herbs can help before a person gets into dementia or even Alzheimer’s.
Natural Healing Protocol — First, choose an herb. Then add a cell salt or cell salt solution. Finally, choose the homeopathic remedy that fits your situation best. Combining supplements will do more to support your body’s ability to function properly than using just one. Your ability to heal will depend on the severity and length of time symptoms have been present.
Herbs are plants valued for their specific strengthening/ tonifying properties.
Bacopa monniera is an ayurvedic herb for memory, becoming recognized by the western world as a brain activator, memory and learning enhancer.
Ginkgo biloba has been used as a longevity and memory enhancing herb for over 5000 years in China. Clinical research indicates that ginkgo has the ability to increase short term memory retention as well as possibly delay brain deteriorating diseases. Ginkgo is an herb used for memory because it increases circulation.
Gotu Kola develops the crown chakra or the energy center at the top of the head. It is believed to balance the left and right hemispheres of the brain bringing wholeness to the body and mind.
Rosemary leaves are carminative and antispasmodic. Traditional uses include increased circulation, assisting normal digestive function and as a cardio tonic and liver support.
Sweet Marjoram is an herb for memory promotes healthy circulation as well as digestion.
contributor Jacob McKinney, Therapeutic Herbalist
To make a cell salt solution, put up to 10 tablets of each cell salt in a 16- to 24-ounce bottle; fill with water and swirl to dissolve tablets. Sip throughout the day.
#6 Kali phos 6X – memory loss from stress
#9 Nat mur 6X – memory loss from stress, grief, depression; wants to isolate
#12 Silicea 6X – memory loss with timidity
Homeopathic remedies are non-toxic natural medicines safe for everyone including infants and pregnant or nursing women. You may use 6X, 30X, 6C or 30C potencies.
The following homeopathic remedies for memory loss are listed as main remedies (including others) and cover these specific issues:
Childhood memory loss may mean some sort of abuse that has been suppressed.
Carcinosin – perfectionist people, craves dancing, music, and travel; obsessive-compulsive, fears, loves excitement; chronic fatigue from being abused.
Stramonium – hallucinations, delirium, curses, mania, paranoia, talkative, religious delusions, fear of the dark, thinks partner is unfaithful.
Thuja – dull mind, isolated, slow comprehension, mistakes in writing and talking; speech is confused; vanishing thoughts, doesn’t know where he is; feels alone; feels he is dirty.
Forgetfulness
Baryta carb – childish behavior, irresolute, can’t recall past events. Mental dullness, bashful, silly.
Cocculus indicus – with dizziness, also from sleep loss. Slow to understand. Memory blanks out, from distractions. Causes from nursing a loved one.
Lycopodium – dyslexia, weakness of memory for names, letters; can’t spell. Tired form 4 pm to 8 pm. Confused from common words, problems with math, low self esteem.
Mercurius solubis – instability of ideas, forgetful, nervous, distrustful, losing reason, wants to escape, sensitive to temperature changes.
Phosphoric acid – mental exhaustion, slow to comprehend, especially from disappointed love or some grief. Vanishing thoughts on reading. Indifference.
Phosphorus – over excitable, anxiety, fears of thunderstorms, spacey, wants sympathy, clairvoyant.
Forgetfulness in the elderly
Ambra Grisea – embarrassed, timid, can’t urinate around others, slow comprehension, music makes them weep. Jumps from one subject to another.
Baryta carb – childish behavior, irresolute, can’t recall past events. Mental dullness, bashful, silly.
Conium – slow comprehension. Difficulty in reading concentration. Alzheimer symptoms, depressed, grieving, breast problems in women.
Lycopodium – dyslexia, weakness of memory for names, letters; can’t spell. Tired form 4 pm to 8 pm. Confused from common words, problems with math, low self esteem.
Phosphoric acid – mental exhaustion, slow to comprehend, especially from disappointed love or some grief. Vanishing thoughts on reading. Indifference.
Forgot what you are about to do
Cannabis indicus – fearful, anxious, fuzzy thinking, history of pot use, talkative, spacey, disoriented; sense of time-passes too slowly.
Other remedies include Bar-c, Carb-ac, Card-m, Chel, Lac-c, Nux-m, Onos, Sulph, Thuj.
Forgot what you have just done
Cannabis indicus – fearful, anxious, fuzzy thinking, history of pot use, talkative, spacey, disoriented; sense of time-passes too slowly.
Other remedies include Acon, Androc, Bar-c, Calc-phos, Hyos, Kali-c, Nux-m, Onos, Oxygen.
Forgot what has happened
Cannabis indicus – fearful, anxious, fuzzy thinking, history of pot use, talkative, spacey, disoriented; sense of time-passes too slowly.
Lachesis – with jealousy, talkative, high sex drive.
Natrum mur – with grief, loss of words.
Nux moschata – sleep during day, foggy thoughts.
Forgets names
Anacardium – nervous exhaustion from over study; can’t work; low self esteem; absent-minded; especially from a fright; memory loss with depression; vanishing thoughts.
Baryta carb – acts as a child, shy or timid, learning disabilities or may be emotionally backward.
Cannabis indicus – fearful, anxious, fuzzy thinking, history of pot use, talkative, spacey, disoriented; sense of time-passes too slowly.
Hepar sulph – forgetful, dull memory, critical, over-sensitive, talks fast, restless, hurried, irritable.
Lycopodium – dyslexia, weakness of memory for names, letters; can’t spell; tired from 4 pm to 8 pm; confused from common words, problems with math, low self esteem.
Medorrhinum – hurried, anxious, irritable, wild feeling in head, panic attacks, fears of dark, difficult comprehension; despairs of recovery.
Sulphur – fanciful ideas, dull mind, forgetful, especially for names, misplaces things, words, talking, writing, repeats things; lazy, bored easily, impatient, quarrelsome, worse from heat.
Other remedies include Anac, Calc, Crot-h, Guaiacum, Kali-p, Lyc, Med, Rhus-t, Sulph.
Forgets persons
Crotalus Horr – with bleeding problems and heart issues.
Other remedies include Agar, Anac, Hyos, Phos-ac, Stram, Tarentula, Verat-a.
Forgetful while reading
Anacardium – nervous exhaustion from over study; can’t work; low self esteem; absent-minded; especially from a fright; memory loss with depression; vanishing thoughts.
Cannabis indicus – fearful, anxious, fuzzy thinking, history of pot use, talkative, spacey, disoriented; sense of time-passes too slowly.
Helleborus – from a head injury, mental dullness, weak memory, blank thoughts, feels guilty or even suicidal.
Hyoscyamus – quarrelsome, immodest, obscene, jealous, nervous agitation; picks at bed clothes; muttering, delirium, suspicious, anxiety on hearing running water.
Lachesis – talkative, jumps from subject to subject; vengeful, foolish, manic depressive; paranoia; worse after sleep, from grief.
Lycopodium – dyslexia, weakness of memory for names, letters; can’t spell. Tired form 4 pm to 8 pm. Confused from common words, problems with math, low self esteem.
Medorrhinum – hurried, anxious, irritable, wild feeling in head, panic attacks, fears of dark, difficult comprehension; despairs of recovery.
Mercurius solubis – instability of ideas, forgetful, nervous, distrustful, losing reason, wants to escape, sensitive to temperature changes.
Natrum muriaticum – fear of the future, isolates self, dwells on unpleasant past memories, fears of robbers, heights; mistakes in speaking, awkward speech.
Nux Moschata – memory weakness, confused, loss of entire past life; thoughts vanish when talking, reading or writing; headaches, sense of duality, constantly sleeping.
Phosphoric acid – mental exhaustion, slow to comprehend, especially from disappointed love or some grief. Vanishing thoughts on reading. Indifference.
Staphysagria – poor memory from an emotional trauma or abuse; wants to be alone; ailments from abuse or suppressed anger, humiliation; memory loss when angry.
Other remedies include Onos, Op.
Sudden forgetfulness
Anacardium – nervous exhaustion from over study; can’t work; low self esteem; absent-minded; especially from a fright; memory loss with depression; vanishing thoughts.
Cannabis indicus – fearful, anxious, fuzzy thinking, history of pot use, talkative, spacey, disoriented; sense of time-passes too slowly.
Carbo veg – with apathy; irritable to family; heart or digestive problems, gas or bloating.
Kali brom – memory issues with intense religious feelings, feels condemned by god; may have acne issues; sense of paranoia.
Moschus – memory problems with hysteria; has anger fits and respiratory issues.
Forgets words
Baryta carb – acts as a child, shy or timid, learning disabilities or may be emotionally backward.
Cannabis indicus – fearful, anxious, fuzzy thinking, history of pot use, talkative, spacey, disoriented; sense of time-passes too slowly.
Plumbum met – slow progressive memory loss; can also have physical numbness or paralysis; may be self centered, rude or arrogant; hates children, may feel violent.
Pulsatilla – with hormonal issues, memory fades in and out; cries easily, moody.
Other remedies include Anac, Arg-nit, Arn, Dulc, Hell, Hep-s, Kali-br, Kali-c, Kali-phos, Lach, Nat-m, Nux, m, Nux-v, Op, Phos-ac, Sulph.
Forgetful while writing
Cannabis indicus – fearful, anxious, fuzzy thinking, history of pot use, talkative, spacey, disoriented; sense of time-passes too slowly.
Crocus sativa – moods alternate and uncontrollable laughter, hemorrhage issues.
Natrum muriaticum – fear of the future, isolates self, dwells on unpleasant past memories, fears of robbers, heights; mistakes in speaking, awkward speech.
Nux Moschata – memory weakness, confused, loss of entire past life; thoughts vanish when talking, reading or writing; headaches, sense of duality, constantly sleeping.
