Turmeric 

Properties: 

Antioxidant

Anti-inflammatory

Antidepressant

Liver Stimulant 

Anticoagulant

Cardioprotective 

Turmeric seems to show up everywhere, heralded for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. But did you know that turmeric also has positive effects on mood and well-being and is known to lift the cloud of brain fog as well? Turmeric was compared to Prozac in a small trial and shown to be as effective, likely due to increasing a substance known as brain-derived neurotrophic factors which can exert anti-depressant activity. Another study showed that one-hour after consuming curcumin, study participants showed improvements in working memory tasks and sustained attention, and after four weeks, subjects showed reduced psychological stress-induced fatigue. How’s that for a brain boost?

Green Tea 

Properties: 

Hypoglycemic

Hypolipidemic

Hypotensive

Cardioprotective

Nootropic

Green tea, another herb with a multitude of medicinal uses, is supportive of the brain in several ways. Firstly, containing a smaller amount of caffeine balanced with the properties of theanine, green tea can improve aspects of brain health including mood, vigilance, reaction time and memory. However, unlike coffee which can make many people feel overstimulated or jittery, because green tea also contains l-theanine, it can be calming. L-theanine crosses the blood brain barrier and increases the activity of GABA which is known to be calming and to reduce anxiety. Furthermore, the catechin compounds in green tea are neuroprotective and can shield neurons from oxidative damage, something we can all benefit from.

Peppermint 

Properties: 

• Antispasmodic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Carminative
• Cholagogue and Choleretic 
• Nootropic

One of the most pleasant parts of brewing a cup of peppermint tea is the smell; the aroma is unmistakable and stays with you for quite some time. Now, recent studies have shown that this smell is more than simply uplifting—it can actually increase memory and alertness. Furthermore, in a different study, participants exposed to higher concentrations of peppermint essential oil described less mental fatigue after cognitively demanding tasks.

Ginkgo 

Properties: 

• Anti-inflammatory
• Antioxidant
• Peripheral Vasodilator
• Nootropic

Ginkgo has been found in fossils going back 270 million years and has long been used as a food and traditional medicine.  Ginkgo is understood to increase blood flow, and therefore oxygen, to the brain and is used to improve mental performance, memory and cognition and as a treatment in conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and fatigue. Ginkgo has also been shown to boost stem cell production in the brain while promoting repair to damaged brain cells. It is with good reason that gingko has been used for thousands of years as a staple medicine in a wide variety of healing traditions. 

Rose Petals 

Properties: 

Anxiolytic

Antidepressant

Antimicrobial

Anti-inflammatory

Antispasmodic

Cardiac Tonic

Rose is another popular plant that elicits its action both through ingesting the herb as well as through its intoxicating smell. Rose is known for its ability to calm the mind and encourage a sense of peace. The aromatics of rose have been shown to decrease moodiness, anxiety, stress and depression. Furthermore, rose petals are rich in vitamin C, vitamin A and polyphenols, all of which are powerful antioxidants, reducing oxidative damage in the nervous system and protecting our neurons and brain to boot.

Gotu Kola 

Properties: 

Antioxidant

Anti-inflammatory

Venoprotective

Antifibrotic

Neuroprotective

Gotu kola has been widely studied and clearly shown to exhibit neuroprotective effects, protecting against cognitive impairment, improving cognitive function and mood, and alleviating generalized anxiety disorder. The leaf and root help the body to maintain healthy neurotransmitter function and promote alertness. Gotu kola also helps the body to adapt to temporary stress. Finally, gotu kola also promotes the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, encouraging new brain cell formation, and making it an essential herb to add to any nootropic blend.