Best Herbs For Memory (Boost Focus & Brain Support)

This herb has been shown to be a brainer.  Studies show improvement in memory recall as well as cognitive impairment. This is because Gotu Kola contains components that help with inflammation and oxidative stress.

The stems and leaves of the Gotu Kola plant have been used as a natural remedy for enhancing the memory.

Studies such as this suggest that working memory may benefit from the use of this herb. In addition to being helpful to the brain, this herb has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years for ailments such as anxiety, insomnia, blood flow, wound healing as well as many more.

Ginkgo extract has been shown to help with mental performance in some individuals. Additionall, the herb has been shown to be helpful in terms of memory and brain health in older adults as well as younger adults.

Ginkgo contains antioxidants and elements that help reduce free radicals. It also helps with oxidative stress and circulation and blood flow in the brain.

Western medicine began using ginkgo in the late 1900s. Extracts from ginkgo leaves were found to increase circulation in the brain and body.

Ginkgo also has shown great potential in many studies for helping protect against cognitive decline. It shows some improvement in memory function as well. However, it would be beneficial to see an increase in larger studies over a longer duration for better result verification when it comes to this herb.

It has been shown beneficial to some Alzheimer's and dementia patients, but the findings are not consistent in all studies.

Caution: 

• Consult a doctor if using blood clotting medication, otherwise, it has been shown in studies to be safe.
• Suggested not to use while pregnant.

How To Use:

• Tea: Steep tea bag in 1 cup of hot water for 5-10 minutes and drink. Alternatively, add 1 teaspoon or ginkgo into a tea bag and steep.
• Tincture: Use according to manufacturer's directions, adding 1 drop at a time every few days until full dosage is reached without side effects.

Saffron is another drug helpful to the brain. However, it is probably not the first herb people think of when it comes to helping the brain. Even so, this herb possesses certain neuroprotective properties that are very beneficial to brain health.

It has been shown to increase cognitive performance slightly in some patients with Alzheimer's disease. It is an antioxidant that helps toprevent brain disorders by potentially helping with oxidative stress.

This is one of the most expensive herbs to purchase. It contains beneficial active ingredients to health, however, it is important that the quality of the saffron is present as well.

The component crocetin positively effects neurodegenerative diseases by its ability to cross the blood brain barrier. Although pricey, this herb proves to be worth it when it comes to protecting the memory and overall brain health. 

Cat's claw is another herb that has been studied and shows positive effects on memory and brain function. This study shows the benefits it has on plaque and neurofibrillary tangles formation as well as brain inflammation.

Supplements containing cat's claw have reduced the development of tangles and showed improvement in brain function and memory. 

Caution: 

• Do NOT take while pregnant and consult a doctor prior to giving to children. Do not give to children under the age of 3.

How To Use:

• Tea:  Simmer 1g of root bark in 1 cup of hot water for 10-15 minutes, cool and drink.
• Tincture: Use according to manufacturer's directions, adding 1 drop at a time every few days until full dosage is reached without side effects.
• Capsule Form: Take according to package directions or follow doctor's advice.

Another herb that has gained attention in research for benefiting brain health is the herb Brahmi. There needs to be a healthy balance of free radical activity and powerful antioxidants for damage to the brain not to occur resulting in cognitive decline.

Scientific studies such as this one has shown Brahmi to show significant improvements in memory and cognition performance. Studies have linked Brahmi with helping with memory acquisition, delayed recalled, and logical memory in those with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).

Additionally, it proves in studies to be helpful with hippocampus deficits. The benefits of this herb is exhibited in a good amount of studies when it comes to memory.

Caution: 

• May interact with thyroid medications.
• Consult doctor if pregnant and prior to giving to children.

How To Use:

• Tea:  Steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of Brahmi in 1 cup of water for 5-10 minutes and drink.
  
• Tincture: Use according to manufacturer's directions, adding 1 drop at a time every few days until full dosage is reached without side effects.
• Capsule Form: Take according to package directions or follow doctor's advice.

Ashwagandha, also known as Withania Somnifera, is a wonderful herb that can be used as a natural remedy for mood and brain health. Recent studies have shown this herb to improve memory, increase focus, and help with overall mood and health levels in the body.

The studies done on ashwagandha tend to be small. However, those with mild cognitive impairment have benefited from supplementing with this herb. Additionally, those that want enhanced cognitive functioning may consider supplementing with this herb as well.

I personally, supplement with this herb under a doctor's supervision. The balancing of well-being is a major plus and supporting brain health is an added benefit. The side effects of Ashwagandha have been proven to be minimal for most.

Caution: 

• May interact with sedative medications.
• Do Not use if pregnant, can stimulate uterus. 
• Consult doctor prior to giving to children.

How To Use:

• Tea: Steep 1 teaspoon of Ashwagandha powder in 1 cup of water for 5-10 minutes, strain and drink.
• Tincture: Use according to manufacturer's directions, adding 1 drop at a time every few days until full dosage is reached without side effects.
• Capsule Form: Take according to package directions or follow doctor's advice.

The herb Korean Red Ginseng has been used in animal studies to show the benefits on brain health. Red Ginseng is created by a steaming and drying process as opposed to White Ginseng which is air dried. This process makes red ginseng's ingredients active.

Red Ginseng has shown to help with memory impairments in some studies. The roots of ginseng have a compound called ginsenosides. These elements are antioxidative and anti-inflammatory in nature.

Due to these characteristics, ginseng has shown improvement with cognitive function in some studies, but more studies need to be implemented to show consistent results. 

Caution: 

• Do not use for extended period of time unless advised by a medical professional.
• Do Not use if pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Do not give to children under the age of 12. Consult a doctor when giving to a child 12+.
• Best to consult a medical professional prior to using do to interactions with hypertension, insomnia, and tachycardia.

The ayurvedic herb St Johns wort is known for being helpful for depression and anxiety, however, studies show the health benefits of this herb on the brain to be great as well.

This study shows the beneficial effects that this herb had on impaired memory due to corticosterone and stress levels. St Johns wort showed to help with enhancement of working memory and improved spatial memory and processing.

Additionally, St Johns wort works synergistically to positively help neurotransmitters. Therefore, this herb helps with mental clarity due to the balancing of these neurotransmitters. 

Caution: 

• Consult a doctor if pregnant.
• Consult a doctor is using prescription medication.

How To Use:

• Tea:  Steep 1 teaspoon of St Johns wort in 1 cup of water for 10 minutes, strain and drink.
• Tincture: Use according to manufacturer's directions, adding 1 drop at a time every few days until full dosage is reached without side effects.
• Capsule Form: Take according to package directions or follow doctor's advice.

Certain medications on the market work to increase ACh which in turn helps preserved the memory of Alzheimer's patients. Using this herb has shown to be a natural way to do this. Additionally, Animal studies have shown improved memory in rats after being given lemon balm.

Caution: 

• Consult a doctor if pregnant.
• Consult a doctor is using prescription medication.

How To Use:

• Tea:  Steep 1 teaspoon of dried lemon balm in 1 cup of water for 10 minutes, strain and drink or use a premade tea bag.
• Tincture: Use according to manufacturer's directions, adding 1 drop at a time every few days until full dosage is reached without side effects. Not all tinctures are created equal. We have especially found this to be true with lemon balm. The linked brand above is a high-quality tincture.
  

The common cooking herb sage is another memory enhancing herb. Sage, like lemon balm, has properties that attributes to stopping the decrease of ACh (acetylcholine) a neurotransmitter involved involved in how the brain functions.

Sage decreases acetylcholinesterase enzymatic activity which targets the above neurotransmitter. If the above neurotransmitter, ACh, is too low, memory begins to be impaired. Sage helps to keep this from happening.

How To Use:

• Tincture: Use according to manufacturer's directions, adding 1 drop at a time every few days until full dosage is reached without side effects. 
• Capsule: Take according to manufacturer's directions or doctor's advice.

The holy basil plant is a strong antioxidant. This herb works to decrease oxidative stress activity which can be damaging to the body with the brain being especially vulnerable. Chronic stress can be damaging as well to brain health. Holy basil helps to alleviate this problem.

This herb is well-tolerated by the far majority of people that take it. However, as with any supplemental herbs, it is best to check with a knowledgeable professional in the area.

How To Use:

• Tincture: Use according to manufacturer's directions, adding 1 drop at a time every few days until full dosage is reached without side effects. 
• Capsule: Take according to manufacturer's directions or doctor's advice.

Lion's Mane Mushrooms are not an herb, but I want to include them due to the great benefits they have on brain health. The impact it has on nerve and brain cells is positive. It has been shown to help with blood circulation in the brain which is extremely important for keeping the brain healthy.

These mushrooms are available in raw food form and are delicious. They are also readily available in tea and supplemental form and are also incorporated into some coffees.