Memory Herbs: Why Gingko Doesn't Always Work by Brian B. Carter, MS, LAc

Non-interaction of Heart and Kidneys: Caused by constitutional (genetic) weakness, disease, too much sex, or extreme emotional disturbances. Symptoms of dizziness, ear tinging, palpitations, low back and knee soreness and weakness, feel hot in afternoon and evening, sweat while sleeping, insomnia.

Phlegm: Caused by excess emotions, anger, frustration, digestive deficiency. Symptoms of sleepiness, dizziness, nausea, reduced appetite, phlegm in throat.

Blood stasis: Caused by stagnation, stress, emotions, trauma. (This is the most likely of the five that might respond to gingko) Symptoms of sudden and enduring impaired memory, abdominal fullness and pain, easy defecation of dark stool.

Concentration is very similar, and the above patterns more or less fit. For more information along the lines of attention deficit disorder, see this vast bunch of info.

For herbal remedies, see an acupuncturist/herbalist. They can make sure which type you have, and help you get better.

Chinese herbal remedies are personalized, synergistic, balanced... the best way to go in my opinion - much better than a number of single herbs from the health food store.

Difficulty Reading

Although not as likely in your case, since you used to do better with reading, many people learned to read wrong. They learned to visualize the entire word as a picture (using the wrong part of the brain), instead of sounding it out (phonics - using the correct part of the brain). If you use the visual part, it takes more mental effort, and makes you sleepy. So it is possible that as you age, or if you get worn out, using the visual part of the brain for reading would be more and more impossible.

If this is your problem, you may want to see a specialist, or look into various phonics products - they say you can re-learn reading even as an adult. But this isn't my area of expertise. It's just a supplemental idea for you to think about, and pursue with others.

*Source of the Pattern Differentiation: The Treatment of Disease in Chinese Medicine, Vol 1 by Philippe Sionneau and Lu Gang.

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BIO:

Acupuncturist, herbalist, and medical professor Brian B. Carter founded the alternative health megasite The Pulse of Oriental Medicine (http://www.PulseMed.org/). He is the author of the book "Powerful Body, Peaceful Mind: How to Heal Yourself with Foods, Herbs, and Acupressure" (November, 2004). Brian speaks on radio across the country, and has been quoted and interviewed by Real Simple, Glamour, and ESPN magazines.

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