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Initially the e-gaming community was the focus of nootropic supplements, but with the challenges of distance learning and remote meetings of the last few years, interest has spread into the general marketplace. Throughout 2020 and 2021 there has been more need for products that support mental clarity: the ability to quickly recognize, understand, and organize thoughts. Adding to this, our aging population also has a strong interest in improving mental clarity.
Consumers are looking for safe, effective products that enhance memory, focus, concentration, and cerebral function. Herbs that can do this are known as medhya rasayana’s in Ayurveda, and cerebral tonics (nootropics) in western herbal practice. These herbs promote cerebral circulation, inhibit natural neuroinflammatory response, have neuroprotective activity, enhance memory and cognitive function and often relieve situational anxiety. Common herbal nootropics include Ginkgo, Bacopa, Blueberries, Gotu Kola, Lavender, Lemon Balm, White Peony, Rosemary, Sage and Holy Basil.
Nootropics are usually not used by themselves; in traditional systems of medicine they are combined with complementary herbs such as Adaptogens and Nervines. Adaptogens are herbs which enhance HPA axis and SAS function, which helps improve endocrine, immune, cognitive, and nervous system activity. They also help us to adapt to a wide variety of psychological environmental and physiological stressors. Nervines are herbs which are gently calming helping to promote emotional balance and to relieve anxiety and irritability.
Some examples of nootropics include Gotu Kola, Holy Basil and Rosemary to support cerebral circulation, improve mood and promote memory, focus and concentration in the Energy Adapt™ formula, and Gotu Kola in Daily Adapt™.
David Winston, RH(AHG) has developed several products that are geared towards addressing brain function:
Clarity Compound™ contains Bacopa herb, Ginkgo leaf, Gotu Kola herb, Lemon Balm herb, Schisandra berry and Rosemary herb. This formula combines nootropic herbs, with a calming adaptogen Schisandra and Lemon Balm, a nervine/nootropic. It can help address memory, focus, concentration, and mood.
Focus Formula™ blends Hawthorn fruit & flower, Lemon Balm flowering tops, Oat milky seed, Bacopa herb, Ginkgo leaf, Skullcap flowering tops. This formula combines nootropics with nourishing nervines (fresh oat, hawthorn, skullcap), it promotes a calm and serene attitude, while enhancing cerebral function.
Daily Adapt™ combines Eleuthero root, Oat milky seed, Schisandra berry, Gotu Kola herb, Rhodiola root and American Ginseng. This formula is comprised primarily of adaptogens, with added nervines (fresh oat) and nootropics (Gotu Kola). Rhodiola, while usually only thought of as an adaptogen, also has been shown in clinical trials to stimulate focus and concentration, as has Schisandra.
Tension Relief™ is a compound of Motherwort flowering tops, Oat milky seed, Bacopa herb, Blue Vervain flowering tops, Polygala root. This formula, which helps address tension and irritability, combines nervines, with anxiolytic herbs and nootropics.
Energy Adapt™ is a combination of Gotu Kola, Maca root, Red Ginseng root, Rhodiola root, Holy Basil herb, Mimosa bark and Rosemary. Nootropics Gotu Kola and Rosemary support cerebral circulation and promote memory, focus and concentration. Mimosa tree bark (Albizia julibrissin) is a profound mood elevator that creates a feeling of happiness and lifts spirits. Maca is a nutritive tonic and possible adaptogen, it enhances the effects of the other herbs and, when combined with the stimulating adaptogens Red Ginseng and Rhodiola, provides support for male and female sexual vitality.
This blog is intended as an informational guide. The remedies, approaches and techniques described herein are meant to supplement, not be a substitute for, professional medical care or treatment. They should not be used to treat a serious ailment without prior consultation with a qualified health care professional.
