Sorry to dig up an old thread. I have used Celastrus paniculatus over the years. At first we could only purchase the awful tasting oil and swallowed it with droppers, until the owner of Om-Chi herbs decided to encapsulate it in small caps like Vitamin D comes in, marketing it as Cognitol. I find it is effective at sharpening the mind, diminishes an alcohol hangover if taken the following morning after drinking, provides a mental energy to keep working on hard mental tasks. It is somewhat stimulating in my case, coupled with a slight increase in positive mood and helps keep me going at work. http://www.omchiherb...as/cognitol.htm
There are other Celastrus species such as P. orbicularis in the Far East, and also a North American variety which may deserve further study. Seeds from P. orbicularis that I collected, crushed and swallowed did not have similar effects as Om-Chi's Cognitol, so I did not pursue it further. Yes, kids do crazy things
I recall about 20 years ago, we first came across Celastus paniculatus when some fellow ethnobotanists were trying to obtain obscure Indian Ayrvedic cognitive enhancers, which at the time were relatively unknown in the west. These plants were primarily utilized traditonally in India for dementia. We came up with Schizandra berries, Turmeric, Gotu Kola, Ashwaganda, Bacopa, Androphagus and Celastrus paniculata as well as the seeds from three plants from the morning glory family; Convolvulus microphylus, Convolvulus pluricaulis and Evolvulus alsinoides. We obtained each of these, John Winslow of Om-Chi made extracts of them and we tested them on ourselves. John Winslow has been a leader of bringing forth lesser known plants from around the world and marketed some of them on his small family herb company in Oregon.
At the time we had little understanding of each plant's effects other than their known traditional usage for dementia, and I personally was seeking natural mental and physical energy enhancers so was disappointed that Bacopa was so sedative, made me feel sluggish, as did to a lesser degrees the morning glory plants, so gave up on them. I did stick with Schizandra (Schisandra), Ashwaganda and as mentioned, Celastrus once Om-Chi encapulated the foul tasting seed extract. I did not think to take the sedative Bacopa nor Morning Glory seeds extracts in the late evening for long term which might be the best protocol to avoid tiredness.
I think the Ayurvedic Indian morning glory plants may be helpful for people who seek a sedative in the evening to help with sleep and it may meanwhile help with long term cognitive function. Please note that none of these morning glory plants are hallucinogenic like some other varieties. It is possible they may have similar benefits as cognitive enhancers in a manner similar to other ergot derived medicines such as hydergine and bromocryptine and nicergoline. Seems further study is warranted.
A nice summary of some potential cognitive enhancing Ayurvedic herbs http://www.ncbi.nlm....les/PMC3506936/
Twice edited for spelling errors, I need cognitive help
Edited by Aka Poe, 17 April 2015 - 07:43 PM.