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ginseng, as well. These three herbs enhance mental abilities, including concentration, aptitude, behavior, alertness and even intelligence. They are especially effective for someone who has had a decline in mental abilities due to illness, stress or age rather than for a perfectly healthy person who simply wants to be smarter. Unlike stimulant drugs, ginseng and Siberian ginseng improve mental ability without disturbing sleep patterns, even when taken for long periods of time.
According to ginkgo researchers, this herb has a specific effect on the memory process. Dozens of studies from Germany and France on a standardized ginkgo product during the course of the last decade confirm that it improves alertness, attention and reaction time. It may take one or two months for the effects to kick in, but it is well worth the wait. In a study with seniors, ginkgo not only improved memory and mental difficulties, it made them less moody and more sociable. An hour after taking ginkgo, alpha and beta brain waves increase and remain high for about four-a-half hours. A predominance of alpha waves means that the mind is resting, while beta waves are associated with normal mental activity such as concentration. This was seen when women took ginkgo an hour before sitting down to a battery of psychological tests. They performed better than those not taking the herb. 37
In studies by ginseng researcher Brekhman in Russia, proofreaders and radio telegraph operators had better concentration, coordination and reading speed, reacted sooner and made about half the mistakes if they took Siberian ginseng or ginseng, even though working under pressure. Ginseng is only a little less effective than Hydergine, one of the most commonly

 
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