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Are there herbs for memory that can improve brain health and prevent memory loss? A number of herbs and spices may helpimprove your brain health, and some of them may be already sitting in your fridge or pantry.Several of these herbs and spices have been studied for their effects on Alzheimer’s disease, while others have been tested for their overalleffects on cognition(i.e. the mental action or process involved in thinking, understanding, learning, and remembering).Here’s a look at some of the herbs and spices found to benefit the brain in scientific studies.Feel Good Foods: The Diet-Brain Connection
Are there herbs for memory that can improve brain health and prevent memory loss? A number of herbs and spices may helpimprove your brain health, and some of them may be already sitting in your fridge or pantry.
Several of these herbs and spices have been studied for their effects on Alzheimer’s disease, while others have been tested for their overalleffects on cognition(i.e. the mental action or process involved in thinking, understanding, learning, and remembering).
Here’s a look at some of the herbs and spices found to benefit the brain in scientific studies.
Feel Good Foods: The Diet-Brain Connection
1SageSchon & Probst / Picture Press / Getty ImagesSage is an herb for memory that has a number of brain benefits. A spice known for its pungent scent, sage might also improve cognition and aid in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, a research review published in 2017, suggests sage contains compounds that may be beneficial for cognitive and neurological function.Try adding sage to butternut squash, roasted chicken, turkey, tomato sauce, or in a white bean soup. Sage can also be consumed in tea form.
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SageSchon & Probst / Picture Press / Getty ImagesSage is an herb for memory that has a number of brain benefits. A spice known for its pungent scent, sage might also improve cognition and aid in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, a research review published in 2017, suggests sage contains compounds that may be beneficial for cognitive and neurological function.Try adding sage to butternut squash, roasted chicken, turkey, tomato sauce, or in a white bean soup. Sage can also be consumed in tea form.
Sage
Schon & Probst / Picture Press / Getty Images
Sage is an herb for memory that has a number of brain benefits. A spice known for its pungent scent, sage might also improve cognition and aid in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, a research review published in 2017, suggests sage contains compounds that may be beneficial for cognitive and neurological function.
Try adding sage to butternut squash, roasted chicken, turkey, tomato sauce, or in a white bean soup. Sage can also be consumed in tea form.
2
Turmeric
Westend61 / Getty Images
Turmeric is a spice long used in Ayurveda. It contains a compound called curcumin, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects (two factors that may benefit brain health and overall health).
Turmeric is a key ingredient in curry powder, which typically also includes such spices as coriander and cumin. To increase your intake of turmeric, try adding curry powder or turmeric to stir-fries, soups, and vegetable dishes. Include a couple of dashes of black pepper to enhance the absorption of turmeric.
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Ginkgo Biloba
Achim Sass / Getty Images
Although research on ginkgo biloba has yielded mixed results, there’s some evidence that this herb may enhance cognitive function in people with Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment.
Furthermore, a research review published in theJournal of Alzheimer’s Diseasein 2015 suggests that a ginkgo biloba extract called EGb761 may be especially helpful in slowing decline in cognition among patients experiencing neuropsychiatric symptoms in addition to cognitive impairment and dementia.
A core feature of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, neuropsychiatric symptoms includedepressionand other non-cognitive disturbances.
Ginkgo Biloba Benefits, Uses, Side Effects
4
Ashwagandha
Vaithinathan Muthuramann / StockFood Creative / Getty Images
Another Ayurvedic herb,ashwagandhahas been found to inhibit the formation of beta-amyloid plaques in preliminary research, according to a review study published in 2010.
5GinsengAbbieImages / Getty ImagesGinseng is one of the best herbs for memory due to its potential ability to prevent memory loss and reduce age-related memory declines. One of the most popular plants in herbal medicine, ginseng contains anti-inflammatory chemicals called ginsenosides.According to a review published in 2018, scientists have observed that ginsenosides may help reduce brain levels of beta-amyloid in preliminary lab studies.
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GinsengAbbieImages / Getty ImagesGinseng is one of the best herbs for memory due to its potential ability to prevent memory loss and reduce age-related memory declines. One of the most popular plants in herbal medicine, ginseng contains anti-inflammatory chemicals called ginsenosides.According to a review published in 2018, scientists have observed that ginsenosides may help reduce brain levels of beta-amyloid in preliminary lab studies.
Ginseng
AbbieImages / Getty Images
Ginseng is one of the best herbs for memory due to its potential ability to prevent memory loss and reduce age-related memory declines. One of the most popular plants in herbal medicine, ginseng contains anti-inflammatory chemicals called ginsenosides.
According to a review published in 2018, scientists have observed that ginsenosides may help reduce brain levels of beta-amyloid in preliminary lab studies.
6
Gotu Kola
Ottmar Diez / Photodisc / Getty Images
In a preliminary study published inClinical and Experimental Pharmacology & Physiologyin 2003, for instance, tests on rats demonstrated that gotu kola may inhibit Alzheimer’s-associated oxidative stress and improve cognitive function.
7Lemon BalmOttmar Diez / StockFood Creative / Getty ImagesAn herb often taken in tea form and frequently used to easeanxietyand 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 theJournal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatryin 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).
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Lemon BalmOttmar Diez / StockFood Creative / Getty ImagesAn herb often taken in tea form and frequently used to easeanxietyand 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 theJournal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatryin 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).
Lemon Balm
Ottmar Diez / StockFood Creative / Getty Images
An herb often taken in tea form and frequently used to easeanxietyand 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 theJournal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatryin 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).
Should You Use Herbs for Memory and Brain Health?
While certain herbs and spices may have beneficial effects on your brain, no natural remedy should be used as a substitute for standard care in the treatment of a condition affecting brain health.
It is important to note that while adding herbs and spices in the small amounts used in cooking can be healthy and beneficial, using them in larger amounts should not be considered better. Taking herbs and spices in a more concentrated form, as found in supplements, carries more risk of adverse side effects.
Ginseng can cause changes in blood pressure (higher or lower), interacts with many medications, and can cause a severe allergic reaction or liver damage in rare cases. Gotu Kola has been linked to damage to the liver in rare instances.
A Word From Verywell
Herbs for memory should be used as an adjunct to other health practices. If you take herbs for memory loss in the form of supplements, you should always talk to your doctor first.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIn addition to herbs for memory, there are also supplements that may have memory-boosting benefits. B vitamins, l-theanine, and omega-3 fatty acids are a few examples. Healthy lifestyle changes such as getting regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, and maintaining an active social life are other changes that can have a positive impact on brain health and memory as you age.Herbs that may help with memory loss include ginseng, ginkgo biloba, ashwagandha, tumeric, and sage.Ginkgo biloba is one of the most well-researched herbs for memory that can potentially stimulate cognitive function and prevent memory loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
In addition to herbs for memory, there are also supplements that may have memory-boosting benefits. B vitamins, l-theanine, and omega-3 fatty acids are a few examples. Healthy lifestyle changes such as getting regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, and maintaining an active social life are other changes that can have a positive impact on brain health and memory as you age.
Herbs that may help with memory loss include ginseng, ginkgo biloba, ashwagandha, tumeric, and sage.
Ginkgo biloba is one of the most well-researched herbs for memory that can potentially stimulate cognitive function and prevent memory loss.
10 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lopresti AL. Salvia (Sage):A Review of its Potential Cognitive-Enhancing and Protective Effects.Drugs R D. 2017;17(1):53–64. doi:10.1007/s40268-016-0157-5Kulkarni SK, Dhir A.An overview of curcumin in neurological disorders.Indian J Pharm Sci. 2010;72(2):149–154. doi:10.4103/0250-474X.65012Yang G, Wang Y, Sun J, Zhang K, Liu J.Ginkgo Biloba for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Curr Top Med Chem.2016;16(5):520-8.Tan MS, Yu JT, Tan CC, et al.Efficacy and adverse effects of ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Alzheimers Dis.2015;43(2):589-603. doi:0.3233/JAD-140837Ven murthy MR, Ranjekar PK, Ramassamy C, Deshpande M.Scientific basis for the use of Indian ayurvedic medicinal plants in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders: ashwagandha.Cent Nerv Syst Agents Med Chem. 2010;10(3):238-46.Zheng M, Xin Y, Li Y, et al.Ginsenosides: A Potential Neuroprotective Agent.Biomed Res Int. 2018;2018:8174345. Published 2018 May 8. doi:10.1155/2018/8174345Veerendra kumar MH, Gupta YK.Effect of Centella asiatica on cognition and oxidative stress in an intracerebroventricular streptozotocin model of Alzheimer’s disease in rats.Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol.2003;30(5-6):336-42.Akhondzadeh S, Noroozian M, Mohammadi M, Ohadinia S, Jamshidi AH, Khani M.Melissa officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease: a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial.J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2003;74(7):863–866. doi:10.1136/jnnp.74.7.863Saper RB, Phillips RS, Sehgal A, et al.Lead, mercury, and arsenic in US- and Indian-manufactured Ayurvedic medicines sold via the Internet[published correction appears in JAMA. 2008 Oct 8;300(14):1652].JAMA. 2008;300(8):915–923. doi:10.1001/jama.300.8.915Gregory J, Vengalasetti YV, Bredesen DE, Rao RV.Neuroprotective herbs for the management of Alzheimer’s Disease.Biomolecules. 2021;11(4):543. doi:10.3390/biom11040543
10 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lopresti AL. Salvia (Sage):A Review of its Potential Cognitive-Enhancing and Protective Effects.Drugs R D. 2017;17(1):53–64. doi:10.1007/s40268-016-0157-5Kulkarni SK, Dhir A.An overview of curcumin in neurological disorders.Indian J Pharm Sci. 2010;72(2):149–154. doi:10.4103/0250-474X.65012Yang G, Wang Y, Sun J, Zhang K, Liu J.Ginkgo Biloba for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Curr Top Med Chem.2016;16(5):520-8.Tan MS, Yu JT, Tan CC, et al.Efficacy and adverse effects of ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Alzheimers Dis.2015;43(2):589-603. doi:0.3233/JAD-140837Ven murthy MR, Ranjekar PK, Ramassamy C, Deshpande M.Scientific basis for the use of Indian ayurvedic medicinal plants in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders: ashwagandha.Cent Nerv Syst Agents Med Chem. 2010;10(3):238-46.Zheng M, Xin Y, Li Y, et al.Ginsenosides: A Potential Neuroprotective Agent.Biomed Res Int. 2018;2018:8174345. Published 2018 May 8. doi:10.1155/2018/8174345Veerendra kumar MH, Gupta YK.Effect of Centella asiatica on cognition and oxidative stress in an intracerebroventricular streptozotocin model of Alzheimer’s disease in rats.Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol.2003;30(5-6):336-42.Akhondzadeh S, Noroozian M, Mohammadi M, Ohadinia S, Jamshidi AH, Khani M.Melissa officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease: a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial.J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2003;74(7):863–866. doi:10.1136/jnnp.74.7.863Saper RB, Phillips RS, Sehgal A, et al.Lead, mercury, and arsenic in US- and Indian-manufactured Ayurvedic medicines sold via the Internet[published correction appears in JAMA. 2008 Oct 8;300(14):1652].JAMA. 2008;300(8):915–923. doi:10.1001/jama.300.8.915Gregory J, Vengalasetti YV, Bredesen DE, Rao RV.Neuroprotective herbs for the management of Alzheimer’s Disease.Biomolecules. 2021;11(4):543. doi:10.3390/biom11040543
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lopresti AL. Salvia (Sage):A Review of its Potential Cognitive-Enhancing and Protective Effects.Drugs R D. 2017;17(1):53–64. doi:10.1007/s40268-016-0157-5Kulkarni SK, Dhir A.An overview of curcumin in neurological disorders.Indian J Pharm Sci. 2010;72(2):149–154. doi:10.4103/0250-474X.65012Yang G, Wang Y, Sun J, Zhang K, Liu J.Ginkgo Biloba for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Curr Top Med Chem.2016;16(5):520-8.Tan MS, Yu JT, Tan CC, et al.Efficacy and adverse effects of ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Alzheimers Dis.2015;43(2):589-603. doi:0.3233/JAD-140837Ven murthy MR, Ranjekar PK, Ramassamy C, Deshpande M.Scientific basis for the use of Indian ayurvedic medicinal plants in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders: ashwagandha.Cent Nerv Syst Agents Med Chem. 2010;10(3):238-46.Zheng M, Xin Y, Li Y, et al.Ginsenosides: A Potential Neuroprotective Agent.Biomed Res Int. 2018;2018:8174345. Published 2018 May 8. doi:10.1155/2018/8174345Veerendra kumar MH, Gupta YK.Effect of Centella asiatica on cognition and oxidative stress in an intracerebroventricular streptozotocin model of Alzheimer’s disease in rats.Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol.2003;30(5-6):336-42.Akhondzadeh S, Noroozian M, Mohammadi M, Ohadinia S, Jamshidi AH, Khani M.Melissa officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease: a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial.J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2003;74(7):863–866. doi:10.1136/jnnp.74.7.863Saper RB, Phillips RS, Sehgal A, et al.Lead, mercury, and arsenic in US- and Indian-manufactured Ayurvedic medicines sold via the Internet[published correction appears in JAMA. 2008 Oct 8;300(14):1652].JAMA. 2008;300(8):915–923. doi:10.1001/jama.300.8.915Gregory J, Vengalasetti YV, Bredesen DE, Rao RV.Neuroprotective herbs for the management of Alzheimer’s Disease.Biomolecules. 2021;11(4):543. doi:10.3390/biom11040543
Lopresti AL. Salvia (Sage):A Review of its Potential Cognitive-Enhancing and Protective Effects.Drugs R D. 2017;17(1):53–64. doi:10.1007/s40268-016-0157-5
Kulkarni SK, Dhir A.An overview of curcumin in neurological disorders.Indian J Pharm Sci. 2010;72(2):149–154. doi:10.4103/0250-474X.65012
Yang G, Wang Y, Sun J, Zhang K, Liu J.Ginkgo Biloba for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Curr Top Med Chem.2016;16(5):520-8.
Tan MS, Yu JT, Tan CC, et al.Efficacy and adverse effects of ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Alzheimers Dis.2015;43(2):589-603. doi:0.3233/JAD-140837
Ven murthy MR, Ranjekar PK, Ramassamy C, Deshpande M.Scientific basis for the use of Indian ayurvedic medicinal plants in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders: ashwagandha.Cent Nerv Syst Agents Med Chem. 2010;10(3):238-46.
Zheng M, Xin Y, Li Y, et al.Ginsenosides: A Potential Neuroprotective Agent.Biomed Res Int. 2018;2018:8174345. Published 2018 May 8. doi:10.1155/2018/8174345
Veerendra kumar MH, Gupta YK.Effect of Centella asiatica on cognition and oxidative stress in an intracerebroventricular streptozotocin model of Alzheimer’s disease in rats.Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol.2003;30(5-6):336-42.
Akhondzadeh S, Noroozian M, Mohammadi M, Ohadinia S, Jamshidi AH, Khani M.Melissa officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease: a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial.J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2003;74(7):863–866. doi:10.1136/jnnp.74.7.863
Saper RB, Phillips RS, Sehgal A, et al.Lead, mercury, and arsenic in US- and Indian-manufactured Ayurvedic medicines sold via the Internet[published correction appears in JAMA. 2008 Oct 8;300(14):1652].JAMA. 2008;300(8):915–923. doi:10.1001/jama.300.8.915
Gregory J, Vengalasetti YV, Bredesen DE, Rao RV.Neuroprotective herbs for the management of Alzheimer’s Disease.Biomolecules. 2021;11(4):543. doi:10.3390/biom11040543
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