# 7 Best Herbs and Spices for Brain and Memory Health

**By Village Green Nutrition Team** · 2021-08-23

![Certain herbs and spices can support brain health.](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0319/0960/9603/files/herbs-brain-health_300.png?v=1629754971)

People often think of [brain and memory](https://myvillagegreen.com/collections/brain-health) health as something that will naturally decline with age. Many herbs and spices can help delay these signs of aging – and that’s just one way that they can boost your health. Many people don’t realize that there are herbs and spices that can help support brain health sitting right in their cupboard or spice rack.

What kind of benefits can herbs and spices give our gray matter? People who take them regularly often mention an increased ability to focus, improvement in their reasoning abilities, and even elevated mood. One significant benefit from these natural remedies has to do with memory. [Loss of memory](https://myvillagegreen.com/blogs/post/4-foods-that-fight-memory-loss) is a growing concern for Americans, especially baby boomers. Alzheimer’s is a growing epidemic. The CDC found that [ne](https://www.cdc.gov/aging/aginginfo/alzheimers.htm)[a](https://www.cdc.gov/aging/aginginfo/alzheimers.htm)[rly 6 million](https://www.cdc.gov/aging/aginginfo/alzheimers.htm) U.S. citizens were living with it in 2020, and the numbers are rising.

This article offers background information on the seven best herbs and spices for mental health, how they help the human brain, and habits to adopt to improve brain health.

## Overview of Using Herbs and Spices for Brain Health

Many [studies show](https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2016/7293626/) that several of the herbs and spices below boost the activity levels of neurotransmitters in the brain as well as reduce inflammation. Millions of Americans already use coffee for their daily jolt of mental energy. Coffee has its downside, though, because it can overstimulate the body’s adrenal glands.

There are different theories on how these plant-based remedies work. One theory states that they have several compounds, so their beneficial powers come from a cocktail of brain-enhancing goodness.

## Top Herbs and Spices to Promote Brain Health

The following list outlines some herbs and spices that may help improve brain health.

### 1\. Turmeric

This is the yellow spice found in curry. India is likely the native home of [turmeric](https://myvillagegreen.com/collections/brain-health/products/turmeric-1), as its inhabitants have used it for hundreds of years. It offers more than flavor, though; many scientists have touted its [anti-inflammatory](https://myvillagegreen.com/blogs/post/natural-approach-for-inflammation) abilities. Chronic inflammation has been linked to Alzheimer’s, so this is an important attribute. The active compound in turmeric is curcumin.  

### 2\. Ginger

Originating in Southeast Asia, [ginger](https://myvillagegreen.com/products/ginger-extract) is a healthy (and tasty) spice. Ginger, like turmeric, is believed to be effective as an anti-inflammatory. A [2012 study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3253463/) linked it to improved brain reaction time and memory.

### 3\. Rosemary

Rosemary is an herb shown to have antioxidant properties as well as the ability to lower the stress hormone, cortisol. Using a diffuser to inhale the essential oil of [rosemary](https://myvillagegreen.com/products/rosemary-oil-organic) has been shown to [lower cortisol levels](https://journals.lww.com/nutritiontodayonline/Fulltext/2016/03000/Rosemary__An_Overview_of_Potential_Health_Benefits.9.aspx) in the blood. You can also enjoy rosemary in your food.

**Tags:** brain health, Category_Healthy Recipes, Category_Nutritional Supplements, herbs for brain health, memory

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> Source: [Village Green Apothecary](https://myvillagegreen.com/blogs/post/7-best-spices-and-herbs-for-brain-and-memory-health)