Brown University scientists have discovered that the common "forget-me-not" flowers can actually help people not to forget. The ravages of Alzheimer's disease may be coming to an end, say scientists at prestigious Brown University. Biochemists there have discovered a compound in the forget-me-not flowers that they say can actually cease memory loss associated with the degernative brain disease.
"Over ninety percent of people with strong likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease were able to maintain their same memory abilities over the length of the ten year study," said Joshua Robertson, PhD. "We found this particular set of results quite encouraging."
The group of scientists became interested in the abilities of common herbs and flowers to cure diseases. Robertson, the lead researcher, had lost his mother to Alzheimers, so it became the first disease to be investigated.
The actual choice of flowers was a no-brainer, say researchers. "Common sense tells you to keep it simple," said one associate researcher. "Why would people name a flower 'forget-me-not' unless it actually did aid in memory retention?"
An extract from the flower, which is common in floral arrangements, proved to be a powerful agent in preventing the development of Alzheimer's, but results were inconclusive regarding its ability to reverse the effects of the disease.
Scientists at competing universities caution that elderly people should not start eating flowers, and that investment advice to put your retirement fund money into greenhouses may be premature.
(Photo courtesy of Web of Species at Wellesley College)
