Bacopa Monnieri vs Ginkgo Biloba: Battle of the Brain Boosters
Have you ever had trouble remembering anything crucial or felt mentally exhausted and foggy? I’m sure I have.
That might be aggravating when your brain needs to be running on all cylinders.
Fortunately, I’ve discovered natural medicines that can aid with cognitive function and mental clarity. Bacopa Monnieri and Ginkgo Biloba are two of the most common alternatives. But which is superior?
In this article, I explore the similarities and differences between these two brain-boosting herbs, and help you decide which one might be right for you.
So, without any further delays let’s “dive in” to find out which herb is the best between Bacopa Monnieri vs Ginkgo Biloba!
Bacopa Monnieri vs Ginkgo Biloba Table
For those of you that in a hurry, here’s a quick comparison table between bacopa monnieri and ginkgo biloba.
| Bacopa Monnieri | Ginkgo Biloba | |
|---|---|---|
| Latin Name | Bacopa Monnieri | Ginkgo Biloba |
| Common Name | Brahmi | Maidenhair Tree |
| Country of Origin | India | China |
| Plant Family | Plantaginaceae | Ginkgoaceae |
| Part of Plant Used | Whole plant | Leaves |
| Primary Benefits | ✅Improves cognitive function ✅Reduces anxiety and stress | ✅Improves cognitive function, ✅Reduces anxiety, and depression ✅Protects against age-related cognitive decline |
| Mechanism of Action | ✅Enhances nerve impulse transmission ✅Promotes antioxidant activity ✅Increases cerebral blood flow | ✅Improves blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain ✅Inhibits oxidative stress ✅Protects against neuronal damage |
| Safety and Side Effects | Generally well-tolerated; may cause digestive upset, dry mouth, and fatigue in some individuals | Generally well-tolerated; may cause headache, dizziness, and digestive upset in some individuals; may interact with blood-thinning medications |
| Dosage and Administration | 💊 300-600 mg/day of standardized extract containing 55% bacosides | 💊 120-240 mg/day of standardized extract containing 24% flavone glycosides and 6% terpene lactones |
About Bacopa Monnieri and Gingko Biloba
So, first thing’s first. Here’s a short introduction to what Bacopa Monnieri and Gingko Biloba are:
What is Bacopa Monnieri
Bacopa Monnieri, also known as Brahmi, is a small “creeping” plant that is native to India.
Bacopa has been used for ages for enhancing cognitive function and as a stress reliever in traditional Ayurveda treatment.
Bacopa contains active compounds called bacosides, which are believed to enhance nerve impulse transmission and promote antioxidant activity in the brain. These actions can help improve cognitive function and protect the brain against age-related decline.
Bacopa Monnieri has many benefits and it is frequently used to aid memory, learning, and focus, and it may also have mood-stabilizing properties – as research say.
Now, while it is typically safe, some people may develop gastric problems, dry mouth, or weariness if consume too much.
What is Gingko Biloba
Gingko Biloba is a Chinese Tree known also as Maidenhair Tree.
Gingko Biloba’s leaves have been utilized for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine to address a range of medical issues.
For example, Flavone glycosides and terpene lactones, which are present in ginkgo, are thought to enhance blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain, decrease oxidative stress, and guard against neuronal damage. By consuming Gingko Biloba you can enhance cognitive performance and lessen anxiety and depressive symptoms.
Ginkgo is often used to support memory, learning, and concentration, and may also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Although it is typically well accepted, some people may have headache, vertigo, or gastrointestinal discomfort. Also, it’s crucial to be aware that Ginkgo may interact with other drugs, notably blood thinners.
What are the main benefits of consuming Bacopa Monnieri and Ginkgo Biloba?
Bacopa Monnieri and Ginkgo Biloba are both popular natural remedies for supporting cognitive function and improving mental clarity. Let’s take a closer look at the main benefits of consuming these two herbs.
Bacopa Monnieri Benefits
Bacopa monnieri is well known for its capacity to boost general cognitive function and improve memory and learning. [1]
According to studies, Bacopa Monnieri may also have mood-stabilizing properties, which makes it a viable all-natural treatment for depression and anxiety. [2]
Bacopa has also been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which may aid in defending the brain from age-related harm. [3]
If you want the full list of Bacopa Monnieri benefits, click here.
Gingko Biloba Benefits
On the other hand, ginkgo biloba has been also shown to improve cognitive functioning, more specifically in the areas of memory and attention. [4]
It has been also used to treat anxiety and depression symptoms and may have mood-lifting properties as well – according to some research. [5] [6]
According to studies, Tinnitus and vertigo may both benefit from using ginkgo because of its capacity to increase blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain. [7]
Overall, taking Ginkgo biloba and Bacopa monnieri supports cognitive function, enhances mental clarity, and may help with the symptoms of anxiety and sadness.
Possible Side Effects
Although both herbs are considered safe for human consumption there have been reported some side effects and some interactions with medications. 90% of the times though, you won’t get any side effects from consuming these two herbs.
Bacopa Monnieri Side Effects
You should be mindful of certain potential adverse effects even though bacopa monnieri is usually thought to be safe.
- Constipation, nausea, cramps, and diarrhea are a few of the often reported adverse effects.
- Moreover, some people may feel worn out or sleepy or suffer dry mouth. Keep in mind that these adverse effects are often minor and transient, and they may go away with continuing herb usage.
- It’s crucial to be aware that Bacopa Monnieri could interact with some drugs, especially those that have an impact on the liver or the central nervous system. Before using bacopa, anyone who are currently using sedatives, antidepressants, or anti-anxiety medicines should speak with their doctor.
- While unusual, there have been reports of more severe adverse effects related to the usage of Bacopa monnieri, including increased thyroid hormone and liver enzyme levels. These reports, nevertheless, are few and extremely rare.
Gingko Biloba Side Effects
While Gingko Biloba is generally considered safe, there are some potential side effects that individuals should be aware of.
- Headaches, vertigo, and gastrointestinal disturbances including nausea and diarrhea are often reported adverse effects.
- Some people could also have an allergic response, which includes breathing difficulties, swelling, and itching.
- Gingko Biloba can also interact with some drugs, especially those that impact blood coagulation, such aspirin and warfarin. This can increase the risk of bleeding, so individuals taking these medications should consult with their healthcare provider before using Gingko Biloba.
- While rare, there have been reports of more serious side effects associated with Gingko Biloba use, such as seizures and internal bleeding.
These findings, however, are few, and further study is required to completely comprehend the possible hazards connected to long-term gingko usage.
How much should you consume?
The appropriate dosage of Bacopa Monnieri and Gingko Biloba has not been established by an official governement body or something, but, there are some general guidelines that can be followed. If you follow the daily dosage recommendation found in supplement labels, you should be absolutely fine.
For Bacopa Monnieri, a typical dosage range is 300-600mg per day, taken in two divided doses. Keep in mind that it can take Bacopa Monnieri a couple of weeks to see any noticeable results. I recommended to take it consistently for at two weeks before making any conclusions.
For Gingko Biloba, a typical dosage range is 120-240mg per day, taken in two or three divided doses. Many supplement thought (like the ones you’ll see further down this article) have more than the typical does. This is because you might not be able to absorb all the mg that are inside.
Where can you buy Bacopa Monnieri and Gingko Biloba?
You can buy Gingko Biloba and Bacopa Monnieri from almost every supplements store outhere – wether online or offline. Here are some recommendations of the best Bacopa Monnieri and Gingko Biloba supplements:
Gingko Biloba Supplements
Ginkgo Biloba Extract Tablets | 120mg | Minimum 10% Kaempferol Glycoside + 2% Bilobalide
High quality Gingkgo Biloba supplement with 90 servings per bottle (one month supply). As a dietary supplement, take 1 Gingko Biloba tablet daily.
This supplement will help you promote cognitive function and cellular function, support cardiovascular function, balanced inflammation and oxidation levels.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4.7 (16 reviews)
Bacopa Monnieri Supplements
Bacopa monnieri Tablets| Minimum 24% Bacosides
High quality, strong Bacopa Monnieri. Quantity per bottle: 120 or 240 servings. As a dietary supplement, take one 300mg Bacopa monnieri extract tablet 1-2 times daily.
Supports cognitive function, healthy sleep patterns, promotes healthy stress levels and feelings of well being.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4.8 (7 reviews)
So Which is Better? Bacopa Monnieri or Ginkgo Biloba
Both herbs have been demonstrated to offer potential advantages for cognitive function and overall health, and both have a relatively low risk of adverse effects when used carefully.
More specifically, a study was done on mice to see how extracts of Bacopa monniera and Ginkgo biloba affect brain function.
They gave the extracts to the mice every day for a week and then tested them using a passive avoidance test. They looked at how well the mice learned and remembered things.
The extracts from both plants helped the mice learn better and remember things more accurately, even when they were given a drug to make them forgetful.
The extracts also helped to slow down the activity of an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase, which can make it harder for the brain to work properly.
Ginkgo biloba was especially good at slowing down this enzyme. The study concluded that both Bacopa monniera and Ginkgo biloba extracts could be useful in treating memory problems and dementia.
So, it seems that Ginkgo Biloba may be more suitable for those looking to enhance overall brain health and circulation, whereas Bacopa Monnieri may be more suitable for those looking to enhance memory and focus.
Now, I can’t express a personal opinion on that subject because I haven’t tested them on me to observe how they affect me.
But, if I had to choose one or another I would probably go with Gingko Biloba since it’s health benefits go way beyond just cognitive function and brain boost. Gingko biloba can help with blood circulation which affects – in a positive way – other bodily functions.
What do you think? Leave your opinion below and let’s start a discussion.
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