Herbs have been used to treat medical conditions for as long as man has been cultivating them. Many herb uses are passed down by word of mouth from generation to generation, but there are some that have medical studies behind them to support their use. One area in which herbs are being studied and found effective is in supporting memory and brain function. While herbs can be helpful, they also must be used with caution, as they can interact with any other medications you may be taking, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Ginkgo Biloba
The extract from the ginkgo biloba tree is the most widely studied herbal supplement--and one of the most widely purchased--in the world, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Many of those studies lend evidence to the fact that ginkgo improves blood flow to the brain, which helps protect it from memory loss and dementia, the center notes. One study, in the May 2010 issue of "Pharmacopsychiatry," found that ginkgo biloba improved cognitive function and symptoms of dementia within six months of treatment. Ginkgo biloba is available as a dietary supplement in the form of tea, capsule, tablet or liquid extract.
Ginseng
Many species of ginseng exist, but the most used varieties are Asian (Panax ginseng) and American (Panax quinquefolius) ginseng, according to the National Institutes of Health. While both herbs have individual characteristics, neither is better than the other, according to researchers from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College in China. Both species of ginseng contain ginsenosides, which are the active compounds that give ginseng its medicinal properties. In a report published in the December 2009 issue of the "Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine," researchers state that one particular ginsenoside, called Rg1, increases production of neural cells in the region of the brain that regulates memory. While the study was performed on rats and mice, researchers note that memory formation is similar in mammals, suggesting that Rg1 would have the same effect on people. When looking at the numerous studies on Rg1 and brain function, they conclude that ginseng improves memory and learning function, and may even increase intellectual capacity. Used as a dietary supplement, ginseng is available in the form of fresh root, dried root, fluid extract or tincture.
Gotu Kola
Gotu kola, known scientifically as Centella asiatica, is an herb that has been used for centuries to treat a number of health issues, from snakebites to diarrhea, according to the American Cancer Society. Gotu kola has been found to have a positive effect on brain function, including conditions such as Parkinson's disease, according to the 2010 issue of "The Journal of Toxicological Sciences." Researchers from International Medical University in Malaysia report that when rats were treated with gotu kola for three weeks, they had a measurable increase in antioxidant enzymes in the brain, including the hippocampus, an area that regulates memory. Researchers conclude that administration of gotu kola can protect the brain from neurogenerative disorders. Gotu kola is available in the form of liquid extract, capsules, ointment, powder and eye drops.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Medline Plus: Herbal Medicine
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ginkgo Biloba
- PubMed: Abstract: Effectiveness of standardized ginkgo biloba extract on cognitive symptoms of dementia
- National Institutes of Health: Medline Plus: Ginseng
- PubMed: Abstract: Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine: New achievements in ginseng research
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