适当药膳能有效加强记忆力
中医学所认为小儿无记性者，是脑髓未满；高龄无记性者，是脑髓渐空。小儿脑髓渐满则精智渐长。中医所讲的脑髓即脑与脊髓之合称。由脊骨上行人脑之精髓。其位于椎管之内，下至尾骶，上通于脑。中医健脑益智有其独到之见解，也有多种养生法来达到强脑增智的目的。
智力不足是由于肝肾亏损，心气不足，脾肾两亏，气血虚弱等所致。常见症状有语言迟钝，词不达意，视物模糊，记忆力欠佳，对外界事物反应迟钝，思考问题迟缓等。
营养不良对大脑和智力发育有着重要影响。实验证明：营养不良可使脑细胞变小。脑细胞的突触减少，突触分支的形式改变造成脑部发育缺陷。而大脑主要需要糖、蛋白质、脂类、微量元素、维生素A、B、C和E等营养素。因此合理摄入蛋、肉、奶、大豆、猪羊脑、干果、蔬菜、水果等食物，将有益于营养大脑。 儿童健脑食物要荤素搭配，尤其要多吃碱性食物即含钠、钾、钙、镁等丰富的食物。
中医强调饮食有节，起居有常，劳逸适度等能保精养血，积精而神全。 精血是神不可缺少的物质基础，有精才有神，才能发挥思考能力。中医也说脑藏神，精神愉快则脑不伤。如精神紧张，心境不宁，神乱神散，则脑受损。而现代营养学家则认为，除各种维生素及无机盐外。要使脑能够高效率地工作，必须保证氧气，水分、葡萄糖、蛋白质和脂肪类五种基本物质的供应。
鱼肉脂肪中含有对神经系统具备保护作用的欧米伽—3脂肪酸，有助于健脑。研究发现每周至少吃一顿鱼特别是三文鱼和沙丁鱼的人，与很少吃鱼的人相比较，老年痴呆症的发病率要低很多。吃鱼还有助于加强神经细胞的活动，从而提高学习和记忆能力。
全麦制品和糙米，增强肌体营养吸收能力的最佳途径是食用糙米。糙米中含有各种维生素，对于保持认知能力至关重要。其中维生素B6对于降低类半胱氨酸水平最有作用。
鸡蛋中所含的蛋白质是天然食物中最优良的蛋白质之一，它富含人体所需要的氨基酸，而蛋黄除富含卵磷脂外，还含有丰富的钙、磷、铁以及维生素A、B、D等，适于脑力工作者食用。
勤于思考分析的人，脑血管经常处于舒张状态，从而使神经细胞得到良好的营养，大脑功能就得以更佳的发挥。脑组织对毒物的作用十分敏感，凡有毒物质、环境污染、吸烟等都能损害脑的功能，必须加以防范和节制。多吸收新鲜空气，加强运动，增加大脑的氧供给。
一个人的道德修养和记忆力也有关系。如一个胸襟狭隘，凡事斤斤计较，七情易动的人，则脏腑气血功能往往会失调而伤脑，所以重道德修养；如豁达大度，恬淡寡欲，不患得患失，不追名逐利，悠然自得，助人为乐，就利於养脑。故健脑养生，尤当注意及此。
中医古今所用健脑方药，一般是以补肝肾、益精血的药如山萸肉、地黄、首乌、枸杞子、菟丝子、五味子、川杜仲、牛膝、当归等为主。另外也以黄芪、人参、丹参等补益元气。药膳配伍应用，当根据辨证论治的原则，有针对性地配制，疗效会较显著。
彭国民中医师Tel: 012-3320445(东方中医药进修学院院长)撰稿
Brain Power The Herbal Nutrition Way
by C M Dr. Allen K.M. Pang (President of SEL & KL Association of China Graduated Chinese Physicians)
Children do have a better memory than old folks as this is because the young ones's memory filing system has not been fully stored. Being old, there are fewer brain cells available for taking in new information.
Poor memory also stems from failing function of the liver, kidneys, poor immune response, slow blood circulation. Some elderly with bad memory function can have speech impairment, bad hearing, failing eyesight and loose interest in general activities.
A poor diet lacking in many nutrients can shrink brain cells as the brain needs nutrition like protein, fats, element of trace, vitamin A, B, C, E. Food packed with these powers are found in eggs, meat, milk, whole-grains, pig's brain, sheep brain, nuts, fresh vegetables, fresh fruits. Children's meals should include sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium.
In oriental theory for the brain to function its capability, you must have a happy
environment, no nervousness state or feel uneasy over things. A calm state of mind helps a lot. Nutritionists believed that the five key elements of good brain power stem from a good breathing system, adequate water in the body for its functions, glucose, protein and fats at a correct level which can drive a healthy brain and the nerve cells well.
Fish especially salmon and sardines are packed with omega-3 which the mineral calcium also play an important role in brain function.
Whole grain has vitamins especially those found in unpolished rice as vitamin B1 is present in the outer layer of the grain. Vitamin B6 present in whole-grain, legumes play an important role in regulating mood, sleep and appetite.
Eggs has good vitamin A, B, D and loads of protein and help to maintain healthy nervous tissue.
Avoid smoking, environmental poisoning as it endanger the brain cells but fresh air and exercises will increase good brain cells. Happy lives can contribute a long way as sufficient rest and good mood swings improve both concentration and less mental stress.
健脑药膳
健脑药膳，主要是增强脑力，治疗健忘症。健忘症是由于脑力衰退、记忆力减退所致；遇事善忘，记忆力差，中医称为健忘或善忘。经常食用健脑药膳，可以消除症状，增强脑力，利于学习与工作。临床上多种疾病如头痛、头昏、偏头痛、神经痛、耳鸣、精神困倦，均可出现健忘症。婴幼儿益智药膳主要是针对智力不足、反应迟缓的2-7岁小儿而设，经常食用可促进脑部发育，增强智力，以提高学习成绩和完善。
文：张慧兰博士Tel: 012 - 370 3755（卫生部认同马来西亚中医师暨针灸联合总会注册中医师）
Herbal Recipes
Herbal supplement can be part and parcel of food choice good for brain function. Poor memory is due to a lot of factors. Old age often produces failure of memory and some illness like headaches, giddiness, migraine, nerves pain, ringing in the ears, stress-out symptoms are all inter-linked. Improving long term memory is more effective in young children between the ages of two to seven as a good herbal diet in menu planning can improve the brain function and may help them to perform well in their study syllabus.
by Dr. Chong Fee Lan (Tel: 012 - 370 3755)
益智天麻蒸鱼
材料A：
黄芪15克
白术9克
黄精6克
天麻15克
姜片适量
清水600毫升
材料B：
金凤鱼1条（500克)切双飞，洗净
材料C：
红辣椒适量（切丝）
青葱适量（切丝）
香油适量
做法：
1． 将（A）料煮滚转小火煮15分钟，取汁200毫升。
2． 将（1）的药材排盘，铺上鱼后注入（1）的药汁。
3． 将（2）放入已煮滚水的镬以大火蒸10分钟，撒上(C）料即可。
功效：醒脑益智，镇静镇痉，滋补强壮。
Tian Ma Steamed Fish
Ingredient A:
15g huang qi, 9g bai shu
6g huang jing, 15g tian ma
Some ginger (sliced)
600ml water
Ingredient B:
1 tilapia (500g) (rinsed, cut butterfly-style)
Ingredient C:
Some spring onions (shredded)
Some red chillies (shredded)
Some sesame oil
Method:
1. Bring ingredient (A) to a boil, cook over low heat for 15 minutes, strain out 200ml solution.
2. Arrange herbal ingredients of no. (1) onto platter, place fish on top, pour in solution of no. (1).
3. Steam no. (2) over rapidly boiling water using high heat for 10 minutes, sprinkle on ingredient (C).
Herbal properties: Improves memory, calms the nervous system, restores energy and strength.
补心健脑蒸鸡
材料：
全鸡腿1只
党参10克
麦冬10克
茯苓10克
当归6克
柏子仁6克
装饰：
枸杞适量
做法：
将全部材料洗净后排入深盘，放入已煮滚水的镬以中火蒸2小时即可装饰享用。
功能：养血安神，健脑益智。容易腹泻者少食。
Steamed Chicken For The Brain
Ingredients:
1 chicken whole leg
10g dang shen
10g mai dong
10g fu ling
6g dang gui
6g bo zi ren
For garnishing:
Some wolfberries
Method:
Rinse all ingredients before arranging onto a deep platter, steam over rapidly boiling water using medium heat for 2 hours, garnish and serve.
Herbal properties: It helps to improve blood production and has sedative properties. But this soup is not suitable for those who suffer from constant diarrhoea problems.
玉米益智汤
材料A：
黄芪15克
党参10克
远志10克
天麻10克
大枣15克
清水1500毫升
材料B：
罐头玉米酱1罐
萍果半粒（切丁）
虾仁180克（川烫）
蟹柳2条（川烫，切片）
鲜奶250毫升
冰糖50克
材料C：
鸡蛋2粒（打散）
芡汁：（混合均匀）
薯粉1汤匙
清水2汤匙
做法：
1． 将（A）料煮滚转中火煮20分钟，取汁800毫升。
2． 将（1）及（B）料煮滚后勾芡，熄火慢慢注入蛋液拌匀即可。
功效：本汤补中益气、健脾和胃、补脑益智、增强抵抗力、活化脑细胞、增强记忆力。
Corn Soup
Ingredient A:
15g huang qi,10g dang shen
10g yuan zhi, 10g tian ma
15g black dates, 1500ml water
Ingredient B:
1 can creamy sweet corn kernels
1/2 apple (diced)
180g shrimps (scalded)
2 imitation crabsticks (scalded)
250ml fresh milk
50g rock sugar
Ingredient C:
2 eggs (beaten)
For thickening: (mixed together)
1 tbsp tapioca flour
2 tbsps water
Method:
1. Bring ingredient (A) to a boil, cook over medium heat for 20 minutes, strain out 800ml solution.
2. Bring no. (1) and ingredient (B) to a boil. Add in thickening, turn off heat, drizzle in egg into the pot, stir well.
Herbal properties:
This soup enhances stamina, improves spleen function, tonic to the stomach, benefits brain powder, improves immune response.
