Europe PMC · 2026-07-06
A comprehensive review of 15 medicinal plants found that compounds from herbs like turmeric, saffron, ginkgo, and lemon balm simultaneously tackle multiple mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease. Clinical trials confirmed improvements in memory, behavior, and daily functioning, making these plants promising candidates to complement or replace current limited drug treatments.
Clinical trials across 15 plant species confirmed improvements in cognitive performance, behavioral symptoms, and daily functioning in patients with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease.
Key compounds including curcumin from turmeric and crocin from saffron act on at least six Alzheimer's-related pathways simultaneously, covering amyloid plaques, tau tangles, brain inflammation, and memory-chemical deficits.
Several plants including lion's mane mushroom and ginkgo activated BDNF, a brain growth factor that stimulates new neural connections and is measurably reduced in Alzheimer's patients.
