GINKGO BILOBA & CINNAMON TO INCREASE BRAIN CIRCULATION

Brain Circulation: Cinnamon, Ginkgo Biloba, Gotu Kola, Ginseng, or Vinpocetine?

GOTU KOLA

Of the four, Gotu Kola is the sedating herb.  So be aware that that is the effect that you looking for.  

Herbwisdom explains that Gotu Kola is ". . . said to develop the crown chakra, the energy center at the top of the head and to balance the right and left hemispheres of the brain, which the leaf is said to resemble. It is regarded as one of the most important rejuvenating herbs in Ayurvedic Medicine."  I like to measure the effectiveness of a particular supplement, vitamin, or herb-based on its results, particularly on its results on the complications arising from injuries.  And Gotu Kola, though it has shown some relief and some promise, has yet to "balance the right and left hemispheres of the brain."  That would be quite an accomplishment.  

Further, Herbwisdom says that Gotu Kola ". . . has a positive effect on the circulatory system. It improves the flow of blood while strengthening the veins and capillaries. It has been used successfully to treat phlebitis, leg cramps, and abnormal tingling of the extremities. It soothes and minimizes varicose veins and helps to minimize scarring."  

So let's see, Gotu Kola helps with the integrity of blood vessels?  I would like to see visual evidence of this instead of reports formed by opinion. Language is a key consideration when reviewing the data.  And these online reports or reviews of supplements may not even be considered data; they are more opinion.  Yes, that does stand for something, but they serve more as a sales letter than a scientific or proven measurement of how the herb works.  For example, note the words used, ". . . has a positive effect."  What does that mean?  Positive how?  "It improves the flow of blood . . . ."  Does that mean it increases the blood flow?  Is Gotu Kola a blood vessel dilator ". . . while strengthening the veins and capillaries"?  How does it strengthen the veins and capillaries if it also improves circulation?  These are questions I'd like answered.

VINPOCETINE

Deanne Alban explains that "Doctors in Europe believe [vinpocetine] is far more effective than Ginkgo Biloba, which is widely promoted as one of the best brain supplements."  On the topic of Vitamin D, Alban states "Along with DHA, vitamin D is close to being nature’s cure-all."  On this, I would have to concur.  I don't like what the ingredients of Vitamin D3 are, but I tend to have a good effect from its consumption almost without fail.

GINGKO BILOBA

I do find it interesting to read how some people categorize or frame the benefits of a particular herb. In the case of Gingko Biloba, forum member, Devin Thayer, explains that the Chinese herb Ginkgo Biloba is a neutral nootropic. He explains that it 

"is an ancient Chinese medicine used for a number of disorders, but the most interesting inclusion of this herb was made as the neutral herb in one of the most popular Chinese brain medicines for mental decline and mental retardation. Ginkgo + Ginseng + Gotu Kola was the remedy. Ginseng would be the "warm" herb, meaning it was stimulating. Gotu Kola would be the "cold" herb, meaning it was sedating. Ginkgo would be the neutral herb, which ties the two together.

What makes this herb interesting to me is that I have taken it thinking it would help with ADHD, but all I noticed was a flush face and an ability to bleed for 15 minutes. It is great for preventing stroke and preventing stress from stroke due to its blood vessel enhancing, platelet de-aggregating, plaque removal, stress-reducing properties. It's a true circulation tonic if there ever was one. This may attribute to some increased oxygen in the brain, but it is not, in my opinion, it's a primary mechanism of action.

CINNAMON

Cinnamon may not be thought of as your typical brain nootropic, but it definitely and positively affects on the brain.  See, there I go using the very vague language of online articles.  Having said that, cinnamon actually does stimulate the brain.  It wakes it up and stimulates it to function better in the short run.  I get a better effect from it when I take a teaspoon and place it directly into my mouth than when I mix it in with food, say, a bowl of oatmeal, butter, and honey. Oh, I am sure that it works pretty good intestinally as well.  Kevin Hayden writes that

Recent research [can you get more vague than "recent research"?] indicates that cinnamon can have favorable effects on brain function. Participants in a study [or more vague than "a study"?] chewed cinnamon gum or smelled the sweet spice. Cognitive tests [which cognitive test? Never anything specific] revealed that subjects who used cinnamon had better memory functions and could process information more quickly.

Cinnamon is not traditionally thought of as a brain tonic.  It is more often used to fight against intestinal conditions.  But as we know there are more nerves in your intestines than in your brain, which may be why cinnamon, a powerful digestive remedy, also has positive benefits on the brain and maybe one of the reasons why the benefits are vague or indirect.  Hayden points out that "Cinnamon has antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial activities.  It has been shown to suppress E. coli, staphylococcus, and Candida Albicans."  Cinnamon is an excellent diabetes medicine.

Simply Ageless Nation comments on the anti-aging and brain tonic powers of cinnamon:

Brain Tonic: Cinnamon boosts the activity of the brain and hence acts as a good brain tonic. It helps in removing nervous tension and memory loss. Research at the Wheeling Jesuit University in the US has proven that the scent of cinnamon has the ability to boost brain activity. The team of researchers led by Dr. P. Zoladz found that people who were administered with cinnamon improved their scored on cognitive activities such as attention processes, virtual recognition memory, working memory, and visual-motor response speed.