Other Herbs Studied for Memory: Sage, Saffron, Gotu Kola, Ginseng and More (Where to Read)
Short, source-checked evidence statements for sage, saffron, gotu kola, Panax ginseng and ashwagandha and memory, with safety cautions and links to the full guides.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Quick answer
Several herbs besides bacopa and ginkgo are marketed for memory. For each one below, research exists, but trials are mostly small, use different preparations and often enroll people with Alzheimer disease rather than healthy adults. None of this is a recommendation, and no amounts or schedules are given. A broad review of dietary supplement ingredients for thinking in healthy adults, which included ginseng, called the science low certainty and the studies inconsistent. [1] For bacopa and ginkgo see bacopa and ginkgo.
Evidence labels: promising but limited, mixed, insufficient evidence, no good evidence of benefit, Proper evidence not found.
Evidence at a glance
| Herb | What the source found | Population | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sage (Salvia officinalis) | A systematic review included eight studies of acute effects in healthy people; it reported benefits for healthy people and those with cognitive impairment but said methods and preparations (extract, essential oil, raw plant) varied too much. [2] A 4-month trial in 42 people aged 65 to 80 with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease found better cognitive scores than placebo. [3] A pilot of a sage, rosemary and melissa combination in 44 healthy adults found no overall difference in word recall. [4] | Healthy adults; mild to moderate Alzheimer disease | Insufficient evidence |
| Saffron (Crocus sativus) | A meta-analysis of four trials in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease found better cognitive scores than placebo, but called evidence insufficient for clinical recommendations. [5] A 22-week trial in 54 adults aged 55 or older gave preliminary evidence of an effect similar to a prescription dementia drug. [6] | Mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease | Promising but limited |
| Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) | A meta-analysis found no significant differences in any cognitive domain compared with placebo; alertness scores improved at one hour after treatment. [7] | Mixed groups, short-term | No good evidence of benefit for memory |
| Panax ginseng | A 2010 Cochrane review found a lack of convincing evidence of a cognitive-enhancing effect in healthy participants. [8] A 2024 meta-analysis of 15 trials (671 people) reported a small effect on memory but none on overall cognition, attention or executive function. [9] | Healthy adults and people with impairment | Mixed |
| Ashwagandha | A 2026 meta-analysis of 20 studies (1,249 people) reported better memory, attention and executive function. [10] NCCIH says there is not enough evidence on cognitive function. [11] | Adults, mixed groups | Promising but limited; sources disagree |
Saffron in healthy adults: Proper evidence not found in the sources we read (searched PubMed for saffron cognition reviews and trials). Sage in people with mild cognitive impairment: Proper evidence not found.
How to read this table: a trial in Alzheimer disease does not show that a healthy adult will remember more, and a one-hour lab result is not everyday memory.
Where the other guides are
Lion's mane and rhodiola are covered on botanical and mushroom nootropics; ginseng for energy is on energy supplements compared. If memory is changing, see memory changes: when to get help.Frequently asked questions
Does sage improve memory?
Small trials report benefits, but a review said preparations and methods were too varied to be sure. [2]
Does saffron help memory?
Trials in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease are promising but few; evidence in healthy adults was not found in the sources we read. [5]
Does gotu kola help memory?
A meta-analysis found no significant difference from placebo in any cognitive domain. [7]
Does ginseng improve thinking?
A Cochrane review found a lack of convincing evidence in healthy people, and a later meta-analysis found a small memory effect only. [8][9]
Are these herbs safe with medicines?
Not always. Ginseng may affect blood clotting and blood sugar, and ashwagandha may interact with several medicine types, so ask a pharmacist. [13][11]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety by herb
- Sage. The review we read described sage as safe for this use, but also noted herbal products vary in what they contain. [2] Ask a clinician or pharmacist about medicines and pregnancy; our sources did not give details.
- Saffron. The meta-analysis reported no serious adverse events in four trials, a small body of evidence. [5]
- Gotu kola. LiverTox links Centella to rare instances of clinically apparent acute liver injury with jaundice. [12] Anyone with liver disease should ask a clinician first; see liver safety and supplements. Traditional use: Gotu kola in Ayurveda.
- Panax ginseng. NCCIH lists insomnia as the most common side effect and says it may interfere with blood clotting, may lower blood sugar and may worsen autoimmune disorders; some experts advise against it for children and in pregnancy or breastfeeding. [13] Rare reports include severe rash and liver damage. [13] Compare types at American, Asian and Siberian ginseng.
- Ashwagandha. NCCIH says liver injury cases are rare but reported, advises avoiding it in pregnancy, and does not recommend it before surgery or with autoimmune or thyroid disorders. [11] See ashwagandha in Ayurveda.
For all of these, medicine interactions matter: read how interactions work and supplements before surgery. Supplements are not approved by the FDA before sale. [14]
References
- Crawford C et al. Dietary Supplement Ingredients for Optimizing Cognitive Performance Among Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review. J Altern Complement Med 2021. Read 2026-10-22.
- Systematic review of clinical trials assessing pharmacological properties of Salvia species on memory, cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. CNS Neurosci Ther 2014. Read 2026-10-22.
- Akhondzadeh S et al. Salvia officinalis extract in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. J Clin Pharm Ther 2003. Read 2026-10-22.
- Perry NSL et al. A pilot trial of a combined extract of sage, rosemary and melissa on memory in healthy subjects. Phytomedicine 2018. Read 2026-10-22.
- Saffron for mild cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials. BMC Complement Med Ther 2020. Read 2026-10-22.
- Akhondzadeh S et al. A 22-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind controlled trial of Crocus sativus in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. Psychopharmacology 2010. Read 2026-10-22.
- Puttarak P et al. Effects of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. on cognitive function and mood related outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2017. Read 2026-10-22.
- Geng J et al. Ginseng for cognition. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2010. Read 2026-10-22.
- Zeng M et al. Effects of Ginseng on Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Phytother Res 2024. Read 2026-10-22.
- Zhu X et al. Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on cognitive and physical function in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Pharmacol 2026. Read 2026-10-22.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (US). Ashwagandha. Read 2026-10-22.
- Centella asiatica. LiverTox, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 2024. Read 2026-10-22.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (US). Asian Ginseng. Read 2026-10-22.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (US). Ginkgo. Read 2026-10-22.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.