PLANT LORE STUDY GROUP: JULY 2025: BOTANICAL NOOTROPICS: HERBS FOR MEMORY & FOCUS

BOTANICAL NOOTROPICS & HOW THEY WORK: What are botanical nootropics? the term nootropic is a recent addition to traditional medicine systems, and it was invented in 1972 by researcher Corneliu Giurgea to describe a novel drug that he’d created called piracetam, which is considered the first synthetic nootropic. There are a number of safe and useful herbal nootropics with a long history of use in herbalism, Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, and other herbal traditions.

Giurgea had a fairly strict definition of nootropics, which had to meet all of these criteria:

• Enhance learning, memory, and cognition under stress.

• Have neuroprotective properties.

• Be nontoxic and have few side effects.

• Increase interhemispheric activity in the brain.

Herbalists have been using herbs to support cognition, and as restorative and cognition tonics long before they were called nootropic. Herbs are used in a variety of ways to affect the brain and nervous system, and some of these overlap with nootropics, while others provide complementary actions.

Adaptogen: increases the body’s ability to adapt or respond to stressors and help improve cognitive function and mental alertness.

Nervine: has a notable effect on the nervous system, and are categorized as stimulating, relaxing, and tonic. In some cases, the terms “nervine” and “nervine relaxant” are used interchangeably.

Neurotrophorestorative: has the ability to restore structure or function of the nervous system and has neuroprotective properties.

Neuroprotective: protects the cells and tissues of the nervous system from damage and degeneration, are used to prevent loss of function, and can slow down or halt decline.

Cerebral Circulatory Stimulant: increases blood flow to or within the brain by stimulating dilation of the small vessels and increases peripheral circulation.

Cellular Communication: the basic functional unit of the nervous system is the neuron, an individual cell that communicates using both electrical and chemical signals. Neurons are divided into three main parts: dendrites, which receive incoming signals from other cells and molecules; the cell body or soma, which contains the nucleus and directs cell function; and the axon, which carries outgoing information. The axons of individual neurons are bundled together to form nerves, and the axons of some neurons are surrounded by the myelin sheath, a layer of lipids and proteins that helps insulate the axons and increases the speed at which impulses are conducted. Myelinated neurons are found in both the central nervous system which consists of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system which consists of the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Glial cells, also known as neuroglia, assist and support neurons, and the primary function of the nervous system is transmitting information, and that’s what neurons do.

In the most common mode of cell-to-cell communication, electrical signals travel down the length of the neuron to the synapse, the terminus where the axon of the neuron meets its target cell. This stimulates the release of neurotransmitters or neurohormones, which travel across a gap called the synaptic cleft before they’re taken up by receptors in the membrane of the target cell.

Neurotransmitters can be extremely fast acting or can take effect more slowly, depending on how they enter into and affect their target cells. In contrast, neurohormones are released into the bloodstream and travel throughout the body, so their effects are slower but more widespread. Neurotransmitters are very small molecules that can’t pass from the bloodstream into brain cells. This means concentration cannot be increased in the brain simply by consuming them, and they must be produced within the CNS from precursor molecules.

How Do Nootropics Work?

The primary ways nootropics support brain health:

·        Enhance circulation and vascular function.

·        Increase uptake of glucose or oxygen.

·        Alter neurotransmitter production, release, or activity.

Neuroprotective Properties: many nootropic herbs are also neuroprotective, and this activity is, in part, related to their antioxidant capacity. Phytochemicals such as phenols have direct “oxidation-quenching” properties and are able to affect gene transcription factors that contribute to cell survival. Some neuroprotective herbs work by modulating the production of neurotrophins, a group of cell-signaling proteins that influences the growth, differentiation, and survival of neurons, and promotes neural plasticity and memory function.

Effects and Applications of Nootropics:

·        Improve memory and learning: speed of learning, working, & memory.

·        Stimulate concentration and focus: in sports performance & learning.

·        Delay onset of age-related cognitive decline.

·        Enhance dreams and promote the body’s recuperation through sleep.

·        Support high mood and improved social skills.

·        Reduce feelings of depression and/or anxiety.

·        Optimize healthy brain function.

·        Support individuals experiencing mood imbalance, learning disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) related to aging, peripheral vascular disease, or traumatic brain injury.

Nootropics Materia Medica:

Bacopa: aerial parts (Bacopa monnieri): also known as Brahmi or water hyssop, bacopa is a succulent and water-loving creeper that has a wildly bitter taste. Bacopa has antispasmodic, laxative, neuroprotective, nervine, and nootropic actions, and cooling energetics. It is restorative and strengthening to the nervous system and can be used in cases of chronic stress with deficiency and fatigue, and to support for memory, learning, and concentration. Use caution in those with gastrointestinal irritation or sensitivity, and do not use in those taking thyroid medications.

Bhringraj: leaf (Eclipta prostrata): also known as false daisy, this herb has alterative, choleretic, febrifuge, hepatoprotective, laxative, nervine, nootropic, styptic, tonic, and vulnerary actions, and cooling energetics. Bhringraj promotes the health of the mind, acts as a restorative tonic, helps promote longevity, and helps slow mental and physical signs of aging. Do not use during pregnancy or lactation.

Ginkgo: leaf (Ginkgo biloba): has cerebrovascular tonic, circulatory stimulant, inflammation modulant, and nootropic actions, and neutral and slightly drying energetics. It is used to help promote memory and cognitive function by boosting blood flow to the brain, protect against oxidative damage and excessive inflammation, and to protect the vascular lining. Do not use with blood thinning medications or in those who are already prone to vasodilative headaches.

Gotu kola: leaf (Centella asiatica): also known as pennywort, gotu kola has antispasmodic, anxiolytic, circulatory stimulant, nervine, nootropic, tonic, and vulnerary actions, and neutral to cooling energetics. It is used to help ease stress, insomnia, difficulty focusing, to protect the brain, and relieve the symptoms of age-related cognitive decline.

Green tea: bud & leaf (Camellia sinensis): has antioxidant, astringent, hypolipidemic, inflammation modulant, and nootropic actions and cooling and drying energetics. It is regarded as safe when used in dietary amounts. Use caution with large amounts of caffeinated tea during pregnancy or for those with a sensitivity to caffeine. Wait a bit after drinking tea before taking supplements or medications, especially iron and other minerals, because the tannins in tea can prevent other substances from being properly absorbed.

Lion’s mane: fruiting body or mycelium: (Hericium erinaceus): also known as satyr’s beard and pom-pom mushroom, lion’s mane is a forest mushroom that grows on decaying or damaged wood by forming a round globe with tufts of spines that hang down toward the ground. This fungus has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulant, nervine, and nootropic

actions and neutral energetics. It is used as a nervous system trophorestorative or tonic, to improve memory and focus, and to treat neurodegenerative disorders.

Nigella: seed (Nigella sativa): also known as black seed, black cumin, or black caraway, nigella is widely used as a cooking spice, and like cardamom, garlic, ginger, or thyme, this peppery spice is used in folk medicine and everyday cooking. It has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, aromatic, carminative, hepatic, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, nootropic, spasmolytic, and stomachic actions and warming and drying energetics. Nigella is used for respiratory, digestive, and immune support, indigestion, gas and bloating, smooth muscle spasms, headache, lower back pain, and general aches and pains. As a spice, nigella is considered safe, however, do not use it in high doses during pregnancy.

Rosemary: aerial parts (Rosmarinus officinalis): is known as the classic memory herb, and has antimicrobial, aromatic, bitter, carminative, cholagogue, circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, nervine, and nootropic actions and warming and drying energetics. It is used as a warming and stimulating nervine and circulatory enhancer, as a hair rinse or wash to promote circulation to the scalp, stimulating and nourishing the roots of the hair, and as a carminative to help soothe indigestion, colic, gas, and bloating. Rosemary is a mild emmenagogue, and while small, culinary amounts are generally considered safe, larger doses should be avoided during pregnancy.

Sage: leaf (Salvia officinalis): has antimicrobial, antispasmodic, antisudorific, aromatic, astringent, bitter, carminative, choleretic, emmenagogue, nervine, and nootropic actions and warming and drying energetics. It contains varying amounts of thujone, which is toxic in very high doses, and the use of sage in more than culinary amounts is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation.

Saffron: stigma (Crocus sativus): the world’s most costly spice, saffron has anodyne, anti-depressant, aphrodisiac, bronchodilator, carminative, emmenagogue, hepatoprotective, inflammation modulant, and nervine, nootropic actions and warming and drying energetics. It is used to improve the complexion, dissolve hot swellings of the ear and skin, strengthen the eyesight, strengthen the respiratory organs, stimulate sexual desire, exhilarate the heart, reduce blockage and adhesion of the uterus, reduce the appetite, and tonify the liver and stomach. Saffron may induce toxicity in daily doses of 1/8-ounces, but it is generally regarded as safe in culinary amounts.

Schisandra: fruit with seed (Schisandra chinensis): has adaptogenic, astringent, expectorant, hepatoprotective, immunity and inflammation modulant, nephroprotective, neuroprotective, and nootropic actions and warming and drying energetics. It is known in Chinese medicine as the five flavor berry (wu wei zi) because it contains all five flavors: sweet, salty, bitter, pungent, and sour. This gives it a restorative effect on all the major yin organ systems, and an overall tonifying quality. Schisandra is well known as an adaptogen and mild CNS stimulant that enhances reflexes, work performance, and mental activity, and may also help mitigate “chemo brain”, a common side-effect of chemotherapy drugs, many of which are neurotoxic, that results in impaired memory, concentration, learning, attention, and executive functions. It may increase the bioavailability of some pharmaceuticals by slowing down their rate of clearance from the body, and can cause heartburn or gastrointestinal irritation in sensitive individuals.

Tulsi: aerial parts (Ocimum tenuiflorum): also known as the “Queen of Herbs”, Tulsi is a sacred plant that’s part of Hindu spiritual practices. It has adaptogenic, aromatic, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic, carminative, diaphoretic, expectorant, hepatoprotective, immunomodulant, nervine, nootropic, and radioprotective actions and warming and drying energetics. It is used as a general restorative tonic to increase vitality, maintain balance in the body and mind, and provide spiritual and mental clarity, as an expectorant to help clear mucus from the lungs and improve labored breathing, and as a carminative and digestive aid. It can have a lowering effect on blood sugar and should be used with caution in those taking diabetes.