Strengthening the Memory.

Frankincense (‘Lubbaan’ in Arabic) is an aromatic resin produced by a certain genus of trees grown mainly in Yemen, Somalia and Oman, and is traditionally used in perfumes, incense and as a medicine. The resin is tapped and allowed to harden, before being powdered. It is most commonly very light yellow in colour and is discussed as one of the medicines used in the treatment of forgetfulness.

[Page 337 of Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) - Darussalam 2003]

While a number of Hadith have been presented in this above book which suggest the use of Frankincense was promoted by the Blessed Companions of Rasool'Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) for forgetfulness, I have been unable to verify their sources as of yet or confirm if they are Sahih.

According to texts translated from the works of Ibn al Qayyim (rahimullah), the application of Frankincense as a remedy has a simple and clear reasoning. Mild amnesia, forgetfulness or a weak memory of past experiences, events or words results from a corrupt humour somewhere in the body. This corrupt humour affects different parts of the brain, causing ill-disposition, particularly in people with cold, damp temperaments. This condition produces defective memory and thus blocks the brain’s natural ability to retain messages in sequence or to store information.

Frankincense, which contains the opposite attributes, thus helps to repair and balance the bodily humours. This helps ultimately to remove the blockage and restore the memory. Amongst the other numerous benefits of frankincense; it aids the treatment of tuberculosis, stomach ache and diarrhoea, and it helps the digestion, helps expel wind, relieve eye sores / refreshes the eyes, treats infections and helps heal cuts and bruises when used in a bandage. It also helps treat a speech impediment (both tongue-tie and stuttering). Burning frankincense helps repel mosquitoes and other flying insects.

The brothers at the TibbeNabawi.org site say that a 'tea' can be made by tying the frankincense resin in a small cloth like a piece of muslin, and adding it to boiling water. Let the water simmer for around 5 min before extracting the frankincense and allowing the tea to cool down before drinking.

Both the resin and the oil can be purchased online. 

My recommendation is food-grade Hujari frankincense which can be purchased here - http://freeyoursenses.co.uk/#/yellow-hojari/4555599604

You can find more information about frankincense here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankincense, including on how frankincense is graded - http://freeyoursenses.co.uk/#/grading/4555298751

A weak memory may also sometimes be due to dryness and can be overcome by increasing the intake of water and other fresh, clean, pure fluids.

Remedies for Forgetfulness which are substantiated by the Sunnah.

I would encourage all those who are looking to improve their memory to use the remedies below in combination first.

Hijama.

A very beneficial treatment for weak memory is Hijama (wet cupping) and although I have not come across any Sahih Hadith directly pertaining to the use of Hijama for improvement of the memory, there are plenty of strong sources praising the excellence of Hijama in general and that it is a cure for a wide range of illnesses. There are also strong evidences from the Sunnah that Hijama was used by the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) to cure ailments of the head.

It was narrated by Jabir bin 'Abdullah (rahimullah) that he paid Al-Muqanna a visit during his illness and said, "I will not leave till he gets cupped, for I heard Allah's Apostle (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) saying, "There is healing in cupping [Hijama]." 
Sahih al Bukhari Volume 7, Book 71, Number 600.

It was also narrated by Ibn Abbaas (radhi Allahu anhu) that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was cupped on his head for an ailment he was suffering from while he was in a state of Ihram. at a water place called Lahl Jamal located on the road to Makkah. Ibn 'Abbas further said: Allah s Apostle was cupped on his head for unilateral headache while he was in a state of Ihram.

Sahih al Bukhari Volume 7, Book 71, Number 602

Caution will be required when applying Hijama on the head. Cupping at the back of the head (on the occipital bone) carries a high risk of causing further memory loss. Excessive cupping on other parts of the head may also cause the same, and Allah Azzawajjal knows best. The Hijama practitioner should take extra care and not remove a lot of blood. The top middle  part of the head (crown) is the Sunnah point - Sahih al Bukhari Vol. 3, Book 29, Hadith 62

You can find out more about the benefits of Hijama by clicking here.

Ruqyah.

The established Hadith confirm that the Recitation of the Qur'an was performed by the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) to treat people (mainly those inflicted with Magic or Evil Eye) and that there is no harm in reciting it yourself as long as it is only from the Qur'an;

A'isha (radhi Allahu anha) narrated that Allah's Apostle (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) used to treat with a Ruqyah saying, "O the Lord of the people! Remove the trouble The cure is in Your Hands, and there is none except You who can remove it (the disease)." 
Sahih al Bukhari Volume 7, Book 71, Number 640.

For strengthening the memory and progressing in Islamic Knowledge, the following verse of the Holy Qur’an should be recited (in Arabic) an odd number of times everyday after the Salaah and thereafter make supplication to Allah Azzawajjal with the intention that He strengthen your memory;

“My Lord! Expand for me my breast [with assurance]. Ease my task for me. Remove the knot [impediment] from my tongue. So that they may understand my speech.”

[Qur'an 20:25-28]

Talbina (Barley Broth).

Talbina is one of the foods in the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) which is more strongly established from the Hadith and was eaten by those suffering from illness or grief.

A'ishah (radhi Allahu anha) narrated that whenever one of her relatives died, the women assembled and then dispersed (returned to their houses) except her relatives and close friends. She would order that a pot of Talbina be cooked. Then Tharid (a dish prepared from meat and bread) would be prepared and the Talbina would be poured on it. A'ishah would say (to the women),"Eat of it, for I heard Allah's Apostle (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) saying, 'The Talbina soothes the heart of the patient and relieves him from some of his sadness.' "

Sahih Al Bukhari Volume 7, Book 65, Number 328

And also;

It was narrated from A'ishah (radhi Allahu anha) that “You should eat the beneficial thing that is unpleasant to eat: Talbinah,” meaning broth. If any member of the family of the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) was sick, the cooking pot would remain on the fire until one of two things happened, either the person recovered or died.

Sunan Ibn Majah  Book 31, Hadith 3572. Classed as Hasan by Darussalam.

And also;

It was also narrated by A'ishah (radhi Allahu anha) that “If any of his family members became ill, the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) would order that some broth be made. And he would say: ‘It consoles the grieving heart and cleanses the ailing heart, as anyone of you cleanses her face of dirt with water.’”

Sunan Ibn Majah  Book 31, Hadith 3571. Classed as Hasan by Darussalam.

Ibn Al Qayyim (rahimullah) describes Talbina as being made from Sawwiq (wholemeal barley flour) cooked in milk or water, or both, and has the consistency of a thin porridge. Since Talbina is cooked with ground barley, it is highly beneficial and nutritious because it can be digested faster and the nutrients are absorbed into the body more effectively.

It is delicious served hot in the mornings for breakfast with a drizzle of honey, particularly on cold days.

Imam Ibn Al Qayyim (rahimullah) also said that "it [Talbina] has relaxation for the heart of the sick person", and it is assumed that this is because it is nutritious and filling and it warms and soothes the stomach. Sorrow and sadness tends to dry up one’s body, particularly the stomach, and of course, lack of wanted to eat food has much to contribute to that. Barley broths and soups help to moisten this dryness and flush away unnecessary accumulations or toxins related to illness. It soothes the body, comes to its defence, reduces tension, balances the different types of liquids and gasses in the body, lifts the spirit and helps the patient regain his/her poise.

Talbina Recipe.

Talbina is made by adding 1-2 tablespoons of barley flour (must be 100% wholegrain barley flour) to one and a half cups of water or milk, or a mixture of both. Add a few grains of salt, then cook and stir on a low heat for 10-15 minutes until the mixture thickens. It can be sweetened with honey and served with a dollop of quince jam if you like.

Recipe adapted from HealthMeansWealth.