7 Top Herbs for Enhancing Memory and Brain Health

1.Sage 

Sage is an herb recognized for its memory-enhancing properties and various brain benefits. Known for its strong aroma, sage may also boost cognitive function and assist in treating Alzheimer’s disease. A 2017 research review indicates that sage contains compounds potentially beneficial for cognitive and neurological health.

You can incorporate sage into dishes like butternut squash, roasted chicken, turkey, tomato sauce, or white bean soup. It can also be enjoyed as a tea.

2.Turmeric

Are there herbs that can enhance memory, support brain health, and help prevent memory loss? Many herbs and spices may boost your brain health, and you might already have some in your kitchen.

Several of these herbs and spices have been researched for their potential effects on Alzheimer’s disease, while others have been examined for their overall impact on cognitive functions, such as thinking, understanding, learning, and remembering.

Here’s a closer look at some herbs and spices that scientific studies have shown to benefit brain health.

3.Ginkgo Biloba

Long used to treat dementia, ginkgo biloba is a well-known remedy in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) recognized for its potential benefits. It is believed that ginkgo biloba may enhance cognitive function by stimulating circulation and increasing blood flow to the brain.

While research on ginkgo biloba has produced mixed results, some evidence suggests it may improve cognitive function in individuals with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment. A 2015 review published in the *Journal of Alzheimer's Disease* indicates that a specific ginkgo biloba extract, EGb761, could be particularly effective in slowing cognitive decline in patients with both cognitive impairment and neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms, which are common in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, include issues like depression and other non-cognitive disturbances.

Another Ayurvedic herb, ashwagandha has been found to inhibit the formation of beta-amyloid plaques in preliminary research, according to a review study published in 2010.5

What's more, the review says preliminary studies have indicated that ashwagandha may benefit the brain by reducing ​oxidative stress (a factor that may contribute to the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease).

5.Ginseng

Ginseng is considered one of the top herbs for memory, known for its potential to prevent memory loss and diminish age-related cognitive decline. This widely used plant in herbal medicine contains anti-inflammatory compounds called ginsenosides.

A 2018 review highlighted that preliminary lab studies suggest ginsenosides may help lower brain levels of beta-amyloid, a protein associated with Alzheimer's disease.

6.Gotu Kola

In alternative medicine systems such as Ayurveda and TCM, Gotu kola has long been used to improve mental clarity. Findings from animal-based research suggest that this herb may also help the brain by fighting oxidative stress.

In a preliminary study published in Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology & Physiology in 2003, for instance, tests on rats demonstrated that gotu kola may inhibit Alzheimer's-associated oxidative stress and improve cognitive function

7.Lemon Balm

An herb often taken in tea form and frequently used to ease anxiety and insomnia, lemon balm may help improve cognitive function. Some research suggests that this may be a great herb for memory loss.

For a study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry in 2003, 42 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease took either a placebo or lemon balm extract for four months. At the end of the study, those given lemon balm showed a significantly greater improvement in cognitive function (compared to those given the placebo).8