Brain Health

Cordyceps: Research has shown that increased oxygen uptake in the brain helps to increase blood flow to brain cells and fight mental fatigue. Cordyceps have been shown to improve many aspects of cognitive performance including learning capacity and memory. Lion’s Mane: Preclinical studies suggest that Lion’s mane may reduce inflammation and biological markers of Alzheimer’s (i.e., amyloid plaques), improve cognition, and increase the release of nerve growth factor, a protein that can increase the length of nerve cell processes.

The benefits of the ginkgo plant are said to include treatment for blood disorders and memory problems, enhancement of cardiovascular function and to improve eye health. Studies have shown to improve memory due to enhanced blood flow to the brain.

Gotu Kola

is known to improve memory, intelligence, and neural protection. Studies show that when blood vessels weaken (varicose veins) and start leaking, this herb helps improve circulation and reduce swelling. Gotu Kola has also been applied to the skin, or used topically, for minor burns, psoriasis, preventing scars after surgery, and preventing or reducing stretch marks.

Scleroderma

A single study of 13 women with scleroderma found that gotu kola decreased joint pain and skin hardening, and improved finger movement.

Bacopa: cognitive results improved and CESD-10 depression scores, combined state plus trait anxiety scores, and heart rate decreased over time for the Bacopa group but increased for the placebo group.

Rhodiola improves learning and memory function. Rhodiola has been an used in Russia since 1969 for the treatment of fatigue, somatic and infectious illness, psychiatric and neurologic conditions, and as a psychostimulant to increase memory, attention span, and productivity in healthy individuals. It is also officially registered in Sweden and Denmark and is widely used in Scandinavia as a general tonic and to increase mental work ability under stress.

Rosemary shows important clinical effects on mood, learning, memory, pain, anxiety, and sleep. According to research outlined in Therapeutic Advances in PsychopharmacologyTrusted Source, the aroma from rosemary can improve a person’s concentration, performance, speed, and accuracy and, to a lesser extent, their mood.

Turmeric contains a chemical that has been studied in the lab is turmerone. In animal studies, turmerone has been shown to stimulate stem cells to make new brain cells, something that could in theory help with neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. Its functional as a powerful antioxidant also protects the brain and brain cells from damage. A study at UCLA concludes that turmeric improves memory and mood

 Tsai-Teng T, Chin-Chu C, Li-Ya L et al. (2016) Erinacine A-enriched Hericium erinaceus mycelium ameliorates Alzheimer’s disease-related pathologies in APPswe/PS1dE9 transgenic mice. J Biomed Sci 23, 49.

 Chen CC, Tzeng TT, Chen CC et al. (2016) Erinacine S, a Rare Sesterterpene from the Mycelia of Hericium erinaceus. J Nat Prod 79, 438-441.

 Tzeng TT, Chen CC, Chen CC et al. (2018) The Cyanthin Diterpenoid and Sesterterpene Constituents of Hericium erinaceus Mycelium Ameliorate Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Pathologies in APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice. Int J Mol Sci 19.

 Mori K, Obara Y, Moriya T et al. (2011) Effects of Hericium erinaceus on amyloid beta(25-35) peptide-induced learning and memory deficits in mice. Biomed Res 32, 67-72.

 Mori K, Obara Y, Hirota M et al. (2008) Nerve growth factor-inducing activity of Hericium erinaceus in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells. Biol Pharm Bull 31, 1727-1732.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9343463/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10867450/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9343463/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10867450/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6885393/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3153866/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6288277/