Alzheimer’s Prevention Through the Wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Dr. Jacintha "Jaz" Roemer
May 17
2 min read

Elderly man deep in thought at home, touching on the challenging journey of Alzheimer's.

In Western medicine, Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurodegenerative disease — often associated with memory loss, confusion, and cognitive decline. But in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we view Alzheimer’s through a broader, more root-focused lens. It’s not just about the brain; it’s about the whole system.

At its core, Alzheimer’s in TCM is seen as a depletion of Kidney Essence (Jing) and Brain Marrow, often compounded by Heart Blood deficiency, Phlegm misting the mind, and Liver Wind or stagnation that disturbs emotional regulation and Shen (spirit).

What Makes TCM Prevention Different?

Instead of waiting for cognitive decline to show up, TCM encourages us to begin nourishing the mind and body early — ideally in our 40s or 50s — to preserve clarity, memory, and vitality as we age.

We do this through:

Food therapy to nourish the brain and build Blood
Herbal formulas to support Jing and calm the Shen
Movement practices like Qigong and Bone Marrow Nei Gong
Lifestyle adjustments that support sleep, digestion, and emotional balance

Daily Practices to Support Memory & Vitality:

Eat memory-nourishing foods like black sesame, walnuts, goji berries, bone broth, and dark greens
Practice Qigong or breathwork to regulate the nervous system
Go to bed by 10 p.m. to support Kidney Yin and brain recovery
Avoid overstimulation (excess screen time, scattered focus, too much multitasking)
Drink warm teas like rosemary or gotu kola to encourage healthy brain circulation
Gently move your Liver Qi with walking, stretching, or journaling
Use herbal formulas like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan or Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan (as guided by your herbalist)