Your Brain on Plants: Improve the Way You Think and Feel with Safe―and Proven―Medicinal Plants and Herbs

258 Pages·2018·18.856 MB·English

by  Nicolette Perry PhD and Elaine Perry, PhD

Improve the Way You Think and Feel with Safe—
and Proven—Medicinal Plants and Herbs
ARNICA
A meadow flower
verified safe and effective
NIGELLA
in the topical treatment
A “miracle herb” used
of pain
to improve memory,
cognition, mood,
and anxiety
CLARY SAGE
A beloved aromatherapy
tonic used to banish
anxiety and depression
ROSEMARY
CHAMOMILE Clinically enhances
An herbal superstar with a memory in the young
distinctive aroma confirmed and old, with a unique
by science to induce sleep spicy scent
and relieve anxiety
NICOLETTE PERRY, PhD,
and ELAINE PERRY, PhD

Improve the Way You Think and Feel with Safe—
and Proven—Medicinal Plants and Herbs
NICOLETTE PERRY, PhD,
and ELAINE PERRY, PhD
NEW YORK
Your Brain on Plants: Improve the Way You Think and Feel with Safe—and Proven—Medicinal Plants and Herbs
Copyright © 2018 by Nicolette Perry and Elaine Perry
Originally published in the United Kindom as Botanical Brain Balms by Filbert Press in 2018.
First published in North America by The Experiment, LLC, in 2018.
All rights reserved. Except for brief passages quoted in newspaper, magazine, radio, television, or online reviews, no
portion of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording, or information storage or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the
publisher.
The Experiment, LLC
220 East 23rd Street, Suite 600
New York, NY 10010-4658
theexperimentpublishing.com
Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as
trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and The Experiment was aware of a trademark
claim, the designations have been capitalized.
The Experiment’s books are available at special discounts when purchased in bulk for premiums and sales promotions as
well as for fund-raising or educational use. For details, contact us at [email protected].
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Perry, Nicolette, author. | Perry, E. K. (Elaine K.) author.
Title: Your brain on plants : improve the way you think and feel with
safe--and proven--medicinal plants and herbs / Nicolette Perry and Elaine
Perry.
Other titles: Botanical brain balms
Description: New York : The Experiment, 2018. | "Originally published in UK
as Botanical brain balms by Filbert Press in 2018"--Title page verso. |
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017060581 (print) | LCCN 2018001843 (ebook) | ISBN
9781615194476 (ebook) | ISBN 9781615194469 (pbk.)
Subjects: LCSH: Materia medica, Vegetable. | Medicinal plants. |
Herbs--Therapeutic use.
Classification: LCC RC483 (ebook) | LCC RC483 .P45 2018 (print) | DDC
615.7/88--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017060581
ISBN 978-1-61519-446-9
Ebook ISBN 978-1-61519-447-6
Cover and text design by Sarah Smith
Illustrations by Clover Robin
Manufactured in the United States of America
First printing August 2018
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
To Ahau Chamahez, the Mayan god of medicine and good health
An Important Note to Readers
Always consult a registered herbalist before taking any plant
medicinally, and inform your health care provider if you are taking
medication or have any medical condition. Do not self-diagnose, self-
treat serious long-term conditions, or stop taking drugs you have been
prescribed. Do not take a plant medicinally if you are pregnant or give
a plant medicine to a child without professional consultation. Be sure of
the identity of your plant, obtain products from reputable sources, read
the warnings on any product, and take only at the recommended dose
and for the recommended duration.
The authors and publisher have made every effort to ensure that
the information in this book is accurate and up-to-date at time of
publication. But knowledge and best practice in plant medicine and
pharmacology, including contraindications, are constantly changing.
The authors and publisher specifically disclaim all responsibility for
any liability, loss, or risk—personal or otherwise—that is incurred as
a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any
methods, products, instructions, or ideas contained in this book.
“Look to the nervous system as the key to maximum health.”
—Galen
Contents
chapter 2 
Cognition boosters / 39
Plants to improve memory and
concentration 
chapter 3 
Blues busters / 65
Introduction / 1
Plants to lift the spirits, balance mood
Plants and the brain
swings, and relieve mild depression
chapter 1 chapter 4 
Calming balms / 15 Sleep promoters / 89
Plants to alleviate stress Plants that bring sleep and
and anxiety pleasant dreams
chapter 5  chapter 8 
Pain relievers / 111 Plant panaceas / 177
Plants that ease pain Beneficial all-rounders
chapter 6 
Extra energizers / 135 Resources / 199
Plants to combat mental fatigue The Future for Medicinal Plants and Herbs
and restore vitality Glossary
Plant Resources
Recommended Reading
Scientific References
Index
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
chapter 7 
Mind-altering plants / 157
Plants that alter our conscious
experience in a positive way