Many of us feel “brain fog” or poor mental ability, the feeling of forgetting something we KNOW should come easily but it seems to stand off to the side just out of reach. Mental clarity can affect our confidence and even our daily lives as we stumble with words, forget faces, lose the car keys, and worse—go down the path of brain or mental diseases.

There’s a surprising way to address brain fog and improve mental clarity: herbs that support the flow of oxygen to the brain. These herbs are called vasodilators and they are the subject of research into supporting brain and mental health. As the Bellebuono School of Herbal Medicine teaches in its curriculum (both our Herbal Actions course and our Herbs for the Brain courses), vasodilators are one of many categories of herbs that prove extremely useful for addressing illnesses and maintaining health.

How Herbs Support Brain and Mental Health: Vasodilators

Vasodilators are substances that widen blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more freely through the body. This process is particularly important when it comes to brain health, as the brain relies on a continuous supply of oxygen and nutrients in order to function optimally.

By improving blood flow to the brain, vasodilators—both pharmaceutical and herbal—can play a key role in supporting cognitive function, reducing symptoms of mental health disorders, and even easing the effects of neurodegenerative diseases. In this article, we’ll explore how vasodilators work, why oxygen is critical for brain function, and how improved blood flow can benefit various brain-related conditions.

Why Oxygen is Essential for the Brain

The brain is one of the most oxygen-hungry organs in the body. Despite making up only about 2% of body weight, the brain consumes roughly 20% of the body’s oxygen supply.

Oxygen is vital for the brain because it fuels the mitochondria—the energy-producing powerhouses in brain cells. Having enough oxygen levels enables neurons (the nerve cells of the brain) to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which powers everything from thinking and memory to mood regulation and overall cognitive function​.

Sometimes the oxygen supply to the brain is simply not enough. This can happen with poor blood flow or vascular issues, due to injury, or simply due to aging vessels. When this happens, cognitive functions can worsen and we experience symptoms like brain fog, memory loss, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating. Over time, chronic oxygen loss can contribute to more serious neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia​.

How Do Herbs Work to Increase Oxygen to the Brain?

Vasodilators help to increase blood flow by relaxing the smooth muscle walls of blood vessels. This helps them widen so they can carry more oxygen-rich blood to the body’s organs, including the brain. When blood vessels dilate, the brain receives a stronger supply of oxygen and nutrients, which can improve brain and thinking functions and potentially slow the onset of neurodegenerative diseases.

For individuals dealing with conditions like migraines, cognitive decline, or even anxiety and depression, improved blood flow to the brain may provide significant relief. Vasodilators can be prescription medications, such as nitroglycerin or hydralazine, but did you know? Certain herbs also function as vasodilators.

Here are several ways vasodilators can help our bodies and brain health and mental function:

Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are linked to reduced cerebral blood flow. Research shows that a loss of blood flow can accelerate the build-up of amyloid plaques, which are associated with Alzheimer’s disease​. By improving blood flow to the brain, vasodilators may help slow the cognitive decline associated with dementia.

Stroke Recovery
After a stroke, certain parts of the brain may experience tissue death due to a lack of oxygen. Vasodilators can help improve blood flow to these damaged areas, supporting recovery and helping to restore some lost functions. Improving blood circulation is a key aspect of rehabilitation for stroke survivors​.

Migraines
Migraines are often caused by vascular issues in the brain, where blood vessels either constrict or dilate incorrectly, leading to what can be excruciating pain and other symptoms such as blurred vision, irritability, and rapid breathing. Many herbs serve as vasodilators that can help regulate blood vessel behavior, offering relief from the severe headaches associated with migraines​.

Anxiety and Depression
While anxiety and depression are primarily linked to neurotransmitter imbalances, studies show that improved brain blood flow can improve overall brain function. Some vasodilator herbs, such as Ginkgo biloba, may help reduce symptoms of depression by improving oxygen and nutrient delivery to brain cells.

Cognitive Decline and Aging
As we age, cerebral blood flow naturally ebbs, which can lead to a reduction in cognitive abilities like memory, focus and attention, and ability to problem-solving. Vasodilators can ease age-related cognitive decline by bringing oxygen-rich blood to thirsty brain tissues​.

Best Herbs to Support Brain Fog

If you want to address brain fog and mental clarity naturally with herbs, you have many options – all of which are covered in my courses Herbs for the Brain Beginner and Herbs for the Brain Certificate.

This article features a few of them. Here, we will get a glimpse of several herbs that have natural vasodilating properties –meaning they increase blood flow and especially the flow of oxygen to the brain. These herbs have been used in traditional medicine for centuries to improve circulation and brain health and have also been studied deeply to understand how they work.

Here is a brief overview of seven herbs known for their vasodilatory effects (to learn more, check out our Herbs for the Brain courses, complete with video instruction, resources and charts, and an e-book packed with 24 useful recipes using these and other Herbs for the Brain):

1. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

   Ginkgo biloba is one of the most well-known herbal vasodilators. It enhances blood flow to the brain and is often used to improve memory, focus, and mental clarity. Studies suggest that it could also be beneficial in slowing cognitive decline in individuals with Alzheimer’s​.

2. Garlic (Allium sativum)

   Garlic is a powerful vasodilator, known for its ability to relax blood vessels and improve circulation. Regular consumption of garlic has been linked to lower blood pressure and improved blood flow, which can help support brain health​. Because garlic and other herbs on this list can lower blood pressures (they are hypotensive), use caution when taking blood pressure-lowering medications.

3. Hawthorn (Cretaegus spp.)

   Hawthorn is a tree, and its leaves, berries and stems are traditionally used to improve cardiovascular health. It works by dilating blood vessels, increasing oxygen delivery to the brain, and is particularly useful in preventing age-related cognitive decline​. Hawthorn berries make a delicious jam, and the leaves make a minty-tasting tea. As with garlic, use caution when taking blood-pressure lowering medications.

4. Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum spp.)

   Capsaicin, the active compound in cayenne pepper, is not only spicy hot: it helps improve circulation by acting as a vasodilator. It stimulates blood flow to different parts of the body, including the brain, which can support mental clarity and reduce brain fog​.

5. Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

   While turmeric is primarily known for its anti-inflammatory properties, its ingredient curcumin also helps improve blood flow. Curcumin enhances endothelial function, allowing blood vessels to relax and widen, improving circulation to the brain.

6. Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

   Ginger is widely used as a remedy for nausea and inflammation, but you will notice that, like cayenne pepper, you feel warm throughout the body after drinking ginger tea. This is because it acts as a vasodilator, improving blood flow throughout the body, including the brain. This increased circulation can help enhance cognitive function and mental alertness​, especially when combined with other brain-healthy herbs.

7. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinale)

   A valued Mediterranean culinary herb, rosemary has long been valued for its cognitive benefits. It was even hailed by Shakespeare as the “herb of remembrance.” Rosemary improves circulation to the brain, helping boost memory and concentration, and may even help prevent neurodegenerative diseases​. Our Herbs for the Brain Certificate course explores rosemary in depth and the latest research on how to use it effectively for brain health.

Learn More About Herbs for the Brain

If you’re a beginner, or someone curious about this topic and you want to support yourself or loved ones, check out the Herbs for the Brain Beginner online course, which will provide you a solid overview, a look at dozens of herbs and foods, and a 24-recipe e-book to help you create an action plan.

If you are a nurse, acupuncturist, social worker, herbalist, aromatherapist, or other health care professional interested in diving deep into botanical and nutrient-based therapies for herbal and mental health, see the Herbs for the Brain Certificate course, with 8.5 hours of video instruction, a Student Workbook, Student Coursebook, and up-to-date scientific and research-based case studies.

 Nothing on this page or website is intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. This page and website is for information and educational purposes only.