Top 8 Best Brain Boosting Herbs To Support Cognitive Health

Brain performance is essential to every human being.

Excellent brain performance is associated with fast memory recall, high information processing speed and increased productivity in activities that require high cognitive thinking.

But, cognition may decline due to increasing age, brain injury, metabolic imbalances, thyroid hormone imbalance, mental fatigue, and deficiency in some vitamins and nutrients.

In such situations, having a remedy for restoring and improving your brain performance is essential.

Recently, nootropics have become a trendy topic.

They boost mental performance, including memory, focus, learning, mood, sleep and concentration.

Apart from changing your diet, you can consider adding NAD supplements that will help boost your brain by reenergizing them.

Besides, they also prevent age-related mental decline.

Herbs are some of the known nootropics that boost brain performance.

They are generally acknowledged to improve memory, attention and other cognitive functions due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties.

Below are the eight best brain-boosting herbs  for increasing your brain performance!

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Best Brain Boosting Herbs

Rosemary

Rosemary is an indigenous herb known for its extensive benefits in the health sector.

The herb has proven to have excellent properties with regards to promoting digestion, liver detoxification, and other benefits to the human body.

When it comes to the brain, Rosemary plays a vital role in improving moods and memory capacity.

It contains phenolic acids, cineole, flavones and terpenes, which make it an excellent antioxidant.

A 2012 study ¹ done on 20 people who performed visual information processing tasks in a cubicle diffused with rosemary aroma showed improved brain performance.

However, rosemary has some precautions too.

People who have epilepsy should avoid it as it contains camphor that can cause seizures.

Rosemary can be obtained in purchased capsules, tea and tincture.

If you are using the leaves, 1 tsp should be used in one cup of boiled water.

Gotu Kola

Gotu Kola is one of the most ancient herbs that originate from Indonesia and China.

This herb is known to treat inflammation and improve blood circulation among others.

It improves cognitive function, boosts memory and reduces anxiety and stress.

The recommended dosage of Gotu kola should be around 300 mg for 21 days; this prevents the risk of side effects.

Excessive consumption may lead to side effects like nausea, stomach ache and drowsiness.

Indian Ginseng

The Indian Ginseng popularly known as Ashwagandha or winter cherry is one of the most used herbs across the globe.

It has been used for over 3000 years to reduce stress levels, boost testosterone, increase energy levels, reduce inflammation, lower cortisol levels, reduce cholesterol and improve blood sugar levels.

Indian Ginseng has antioxidant properties that shield brain cells from free radical damage.

Besides, it regulates chemical signalling in the nervous system promoting memory, attention and reaction time.

It has no side effects if taken in the correct dosage.

Excessive consumption may lead to side effects like nausea and diarrhoea.

Brahmi

Brahmi is popularly known as Bacopa monnieri ²; commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine.

It plays a massive role in maintaining a healthy body system including lowering blood pressure, reducing stress levels, reducing ADHD symptoms and improving cognitive function.

Studies show that Brahmi increases visual information processing speed, memory, learning ability and increasing dendritic length.

Besides, it is rich in antioxidants such as bacosides which reduces the activity of free radicals and protects brain cells.

If taken in excess, patients may suffer from increased thyroid hormones, muscular fatigue and slow heart rate.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is an indigenous herb that helps indigestion, anxiety, infections and treatment of thyroid tissues.

It is a significant brain-boosting herb that stimulates neurotransmitters which support mood and memory.

Moreover, lemon balm contains rosmarinic acid that improves blood flow in the brain and protects brain cell from oxidative stress.

It also triggers the release of GABA, a neurotransmitter that reduces stress and anxiety levels.

Lemon balm should be administered in 300 mg dosage twice a day for 15 days.

People with Alzheimer are advised to use 60 drops per day of the extract for four months.

Lemon balm may have side effects such as diabetes and thyroid problems if used in excessive consumption.

Holy basil

Holy Basil is a sacred herb.

It originated from India, and it is mostly found in Indian shrines.

This herb is known to work best in lowering blood sugar levels and reducing inflammation.

Holy basil enhances cognition by reducing anxiety and stress.

It also improves memory and other mental function such as learning ability.

Individuals with chronic stress are advised to use Holy basil daily after meals.

Green tea

Green tea is a natural herb that has been consumed for thousands of years.

It is extracted from the camellia Sinensis plant.

This brain-boosting herb works best in improving cognition, mood and brain function.

Research ³ shows that green tea increases blood flow in the brain region involved in reasoning, long-term memory and information processing speed.

Green tea is administered as a beverage.

However, Green tea leaves should not be added to boiling water.

Sage

Sage is an ancient herb in European and Greek medicine to treat circulation problems, lung infections, intestinal problems and tonsillitis.

Now, experts say that sage can improve memory and brain function.

Australian scientists found that sage portrays various cognitive benefits, including:

• It inhibits the release of cholinesterase.
• It contains both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that shield brain cells from free radical damage.
• It maintains high levels of neurotrophic factor, which protects brain cells.

Additionally, health experts show that consumption of sage in small or large amounts may help in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Sage should be administered at 333 mg per day if you plan to boost your memory.

Sage may cause side effects if taken in high doses.

Also, people with diabetes and pregnant women are advised not to take sage in high amounts.

Conclusion

Herbs have been anciently used to improve general health, including cognitive wellness.

Today, some of these herbs are being used to boost brain performance and reduce mental fatigue.

There is continued research to support their mechanisms in promoting mood, improving memory, protecting brain cells, increasing brain energy and heightening attention.

However, always go for the most evidence-based brain-boosting herbs.

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