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Herbs for Supporting Brain Health and Healthy Cognitive Function

By Joe Boland

October 10, 2024

The modern world constantly demands our attention, making it essential to keep our minds sharp, focused and helping to stay away from occasional brain fog. While lifestyle factors like sleep, nutrition and exercise play a crucial role in maintaining cognitive health, many turn to nature’s herbs for brain health function support.

Herbs have been used for centuries to help support a healthy memory, improve focus and promote mental clarity. In this guide, we’ll explore the best herbs for brain health, including those that can help combat occasional brain fog and support long-term cognitive function.

As always, you should consult your healthcare professional prior to beginning any new dietary or lifestyle regimen, including dietary supplementation.

1. Ginkgo biloba

One of the most researched herbs for cognitive function, ginkgo biloba is often hailed as one of the best herbs for promoting a healthy memory and focus. It’s known to support blood flow to the brain, which may enhance memory and cognitive performance, especially in older adults.

Some studies suggest that ginkgo may help promote cognitive health and resilience and a healthy memory, making it a popular choice for supporting long-term brain function and cognitive health.

• How it helps: Supports circulation, helps maintain memory and sharpens focus.

• How to use: Available in capsules, teas or extracts.

2. Bacopa monnieri

Bacopa monnieri is praised for its ability to promote a healthy memory, learning and concentration. Studies indicate that bacopa may improve attention and brain processing speed, making it a go-to option for those struggling with focus and mental clarity.

• How it helps: Boosts memory retention, supports focus and may help with brain fog.

• How to use: Take as a supplement or tea.

3. Rhodiola rosea

Known as an adaptogen, rhodiola rosea helps the body adapt to stress, which can have a significant impact on cognitive function. This herb is considered one of the best herbs for occasional brain fog as it may increase mental stamina and reduce fatigue, helping you stay sharp even during periods of occasional stress.

• How it helps: Fights fatigue, improves mental clarity and helps with occasional brain fog.

• How to use: Commonly taken as a supplement or tincture.

4. Ashwagandha

Another powerful adaptogen, ashwagandha is well-regarded for its ability to help with stress, which can negatively affect cognitive function. Research suggests ashwagandha may improve memory and cognitive processing, particularly in individuals experiencing stress-related cognitive fatigue.

• How it helps: Helps with stress, improves focus and promotes a healthy memory.

• How to use: Available in powder, capsules or as part of herbal blends. (Try Ancient Nutrition’s Organic Ashwagandha.)

5. Gotu kola

Gotu kola is known for its potential to support a healthy memory, focus and mental clarity. It’s often called the "herb of longevity" due to its cognitive benefits.

Gotu kola may also help promote calmness, making it a good choice for mental well-being.

• How it helps: Promotes a healthy memory, sharpens focus and supports cognitive longevity.

• How to use: Can be consumed as a tea, supplement or extract.

6. Lion’s mane mushroom

Technically a mushroom rather than a herb, lion’s mane is a well-known healthy brain-supporting food used to promote cognitive health. Studies show it may function to stimulate normal nerve growth factor (NGF) production, which helps to support the normal repair and promotion of healthy brain cells.

This makes lion’s mane one of the best herbs for memory and cognitive performance.

• How it helps: Promotes normal, healthy brain cell growth,promotes a healthy memory and may support a positive outlook.

• How to use: Available in powder, capsules or coffee blends. (Try Ancient Nutrition's

  Lion’s Mane Mental Clarity and Concentration.)

Other mushrooms that double as healthy brain-supporting and mood-boosting foods (and supplements to help promote a positive mindset) include chaga, reishi and cordyceps.

7. Sage

Sage isn’t just a culinary herb — it has long been associated with promoting a healthy memory and cognition. Modern research supports this, showing that sage may help enhance memory recall and focus, especially in older adults.

It’s one of the more easily accessible herbs, often found in teas and cooking.

• How it helps: Supports a healthy memory, supports focus and can help promote overall healthy cognitive function.

• How to use: Use fresh or dried in cooking or as an essential oil.

8. Ginseng

Known for its energy-boosting properties, ginseng is also a powerful herb for cognitive function. It has been shown to promote a healthy memory, attention and overall mental clarity, making it one of the best herbs for memory and focus.

Ginseng’s adaptogenic properties can also help handle stress, further supporting brain health.

• How it helps: Increases focus, supports a healthy memory and fights mental fatigue.

• How to use: Available in teas, tinctures or capsules.

9. Peppermint

The invigorating scent of peppermint is more than just refreshing — it can also stimulate healthy brain function. Studies suggest that the aroma of peppermint may support a healthy memory and increase alertness, making it a simple yet effective tool for staying sharp.

• How it helps: Enhances alertness, promotes a healthy memory and may improve focus.

• How to use: Use as an essential oil or sip on peppermint tea.

10. Lemon balm

A member of the mint family, lemon balm is known for its calming effects. While it helps with stress, it’s also been shown to improve one’s outlook, promote a healthy memory and focus.

This makes lemon balm an excellent herb for mental clarity, especially when combating occasional brain fog.

• How it helps: Helps with occasional brain fog, enhances focus and supports a healthy memory.

• How to use: Available as a tea, supplement or essential oil.

11. Turmeric

Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound that has been shown to promote brain function and cognitive health. Studies suggest that curcumin can promote normal, healthy levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which supports cognitive function and memory.

It’s often recommended as one of the best herbs for supporting brain health due to its promotion of overall cognitive health.

• How it helps: Supports memory and may promote overall cognitive health.

• How to use: Add turmeric to meals or take it in supplement form. (Try Ancient Nutrition's

  Organic Turmeric.)

12. Guarana

A natural stimulant, guarana is rich in caffeine, which can enhance mental performance, focus and alertness. Research indicates that guarana can promote healthy memory and cognitive function, especially in situations requiring heightened attention and concentration.

• How it helps: Boosts focus, supports a healthy memory and enhances mental energy.

• How to use: Found in energy drinks, teas or supplements.

13. Rosemary

Traditionally associated with memory support, rosemary has been shown to promote cognitive performance. The aroma of rosemary, in particular, has been found to support memory recall and concentration, making it one of the best herbs for supporting a healthy memory.

• How it helps: Supports memory recall, supports concentration and promotes healthy cognitive function.

• How to use: Use fresh in cooking or as an essential oil.

14. Maca

Maca is an adaptogen known for supporting a positive outlook, energy and healthy cognitive function. It is believed to promote healthy brain clarity and may also support healthy, normal memory retention.

Maca’s ability to help with stress can indirectly promote cognitive health.

• How it helps: Boosts focus, supports a positive outlook and promotes a healthy memory.

• How to use: Available as a powder to add to smoothies or in supplement form.

15. Cat's claw

An herb from the Amazon rainforest, cat's claw is known for its normal neurological health-promoting properties.

This makes it a valuable herb for long-term normal brain function and health support.

• How it helps: Supports a healthy memory, promotes healthy, normal brain cells and promotes overall cognitive health.

• How to use: Available as a tea, capsule or extract.

16. Astragalus

Astragalus is an adaptogen that supports overall brain function and health by aiding with a healthy response to inflammation. It is often used to promote cognitive health and may support a healthy memory and focus over time.

• How it helps: Helps promote a healthy response to inflammation, boosts cognitive function and supports a healthy memory.

• How to use: Found in teas, tinctures or supplements.

17. Adaptogens

Adaptogens are a group of herbs, including ashwagandha, rhodiola and ginseng, that help the body adapt to stress and maintain mental balance.These herbs can promote focus, clarity and a healthy memory, making them some of the best herbs for occasional brain fog.

• How they help: Enhance focus, help deal with occasional brain fog and support overall healthy cognitive function.

• How to use: Available in various forms, such as powders, teas and capsules.

18. Bonus: Focused Brain Supplement

The first Regenerative Organic Certified® Focused Brain† supplement ever is full of some of the best herbs for promoting healthy cognitive function, including bacopa, lion's mane mushroom and ginkgo leaf — not to mention vitamin B12, apple cider vinegar and organic pullulan.

This supplement is also enhanced with the proprietary probiotic strain Bacillus subtilis AB22, and it supports a healthy response to stress, a positive outlook and cognitive health. The superfood blend of bacopa, lion's mane and ginkgo in particular can help your body with a healthy response to stress and stay focused.

Another beneficial supplement full of herbs for promoting overall cognitive health is Ancient Nutrition's Multi Collagen Brain Boost.

Combining beneficial collagen with a Brain Boost Blend† of superfoods organic fermented ashwagandha root, ginkgo leaves and bacopa brahmi leaves, plus organic ashwagandha root and leaf extract and organic lion’s mane extract, this collagen brain boost supplement has been associated with the following brain benefits:

• Promotes mental clarity and concentration

• Promotes a positive mindset

• Helps alleviate the effects of stress and tension

• Supports healthy energy and more restful sleep

Conclusions

• Incorporating these best herbs for promoting healthy brain function and overall cognitive health into your routine may help support a healthy memory, improve focus and clear occasional brain fog.

• Whether you’re dealing with stress, wanting to promote cognitive health or to promote your focus (think everyday distractions), herbs like ginkgo biloba, Bacopa monnieri, turmeric and ashwagandha can provide support for your cognitive health.

• Consider adding these herbs to your daily regimen to promote cognitive performance and to help boost mental clarity.

• By using nature’s herbs, you can take proactive steps to promote your overall brain health and function and stay mentally sharp, no matter your age.

†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.