Alzheimer's

Why it works: Proposed mechanisms (based largely on pharmacology and preclinical data) include:. • Antioxidant & anti-inflammatory effects (flavone glycosides; terpene lactones). These may count...

Instructions: If used, benefit signals (when seen) typically came from refined, standardized leaf extracts rather than teas or unstandardized products:. • Extract type: Most trials use EGb 761®,...

Warnings: Bleeding risk / drug interactions: Ginkgo can impair platelet function and may increase bleeding, es...

Studies: Prevention (stopping dementia from developing):No benefit. T...

Why it works: Multi-target brain biology: Curcumin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and in lab/animal models it can reduce amyloid-β aggregation, modulate tau, chelate metals, and...

Instructions: Alzheimer’s patients:. • Curcumin C3 Complex® 2,000–4,000 mg/day for 24 weeks (no cognitive benefit vs. placebo). BioMed Central. • Curcumin-galactomannoside (CGM / “CurQfen®”) 400...

Warnings: Drug interactions (especially blood thinners/antiplatelets): Curcumin may increase bleeding risk and...

Studies: Alzheimer’s RCTs to date are small and mostly negative/indet...

Why it works: Targets oxidative stress & mitochondrial dysfunction. ALA is a mitochondrial cofactor (for pyruvate- and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase) and a redox-active antioxidant; both pathway...

Instructions: Doses actually used in AD studies: Most human AD studies used 600 mg/day (often 300 mg twice daily); some combination trials used 600–900 mg/day alongside other antioxidants or ome...

Warnings: Hypoglycemia & Insulin Autoimmune Syndrome (IAS): Multiple case reports link ALA use to IAS—a rare,...

Studies: Open-label studies (no placebo control):Hager et al., 2001:...

Why it works: Mechanism: Huperzine A is a reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI). By inhibiting AChE, it increases acetylcholine in synapses, which can temporarily improve cognition a...

Instructions: Form & source: Trials used purified huperzine A tablets/capsules (not raw herb). In China, huperzine A has been used as a prescription AChEI; in the U.S./Australia it’s sold as a s...

Warnings: Common side effects (cholinergic): Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, sweating, salivation, blurred vision,...

Studies: 2013 PLOS One meta-analysis (20 RCTs; n=1,823): Reported sho...

Why it works: Scientists are interested in Bacopa because multiple lab and animal studies point to mechanisms that overlap with AD biology:. • Cholinergic support: Bacopa inhibits acetylcholines...

Instructions: Standardized extract & dose used in human cognition studies: Most trials outside of AD use ~300 mg/day standardized extract (often ~50–55% bacosides) for 8–12 weeks; some use 200–6...

Warnings: Bacopa is generally well tolerated, but AD patients are commonly older, on multiple medications, and...

Studies: Systematic review of RCTs in AD/MCI-AD (2022): Identified 5...

Why it works: Amyloid-β & tau effects: Withanolides/withanamides may inhibit Aβ oligomer aggregation and reduce tau hyperphosphorylation. Animal work in AD mouse models reports reversal of plaqu...

Instructions: There is no established AD treatment protocol for ashwagandha. In human cognition studies outside AD, commonly used approaches are:. • Preparation: Standardized root extracts (e.g....

Warnings: Liver injury (rare but documented): Case series from Iceland/US and multiple case reports describe c...

Studies: Human studies (not AD):Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) RCT (...

Why it works: Neuroinflammation & pyroptosis: “Bushen-Huoxue” interventions have reduced inflammasome-driven neuronal death (NLRP3/NLRP1–caspase-1–GSDMD axis) and improved cognition in AD-model...

Instructions: There is no standardized, evidence-based dosing regimen for AD with BSHX granules. Formulations and strengths differ by manufacturer, and indications are typically not for Alzheime...

Warnings: Evidence gap: No proven efficacy for Alzheimer’s; use only as an adjunct under medical supervision a...

Studies: Adjacent or preclinical evidence:AD animal models (Bushen-Hu...

Why it works: Multi-target neuroprotection (preclinical + systems biology). Recent mechanistic papers suggest DSS hits several AD-relevant pathways at once:. • Energy & glucose metabolism in bra...

Instructions: There are two common ways DSS is used clinically:. A) Standardized Kampo granules (Japan; product code TJ-23 “Tokishakuyaku-san”).. • Adult dose: 7.5 g/day of extract granules, in...

Warnings: General adverse effects (from the TJ-23 official insert):. • GI upset (anorexia, nausea, epigastric...

Studies: Systematic review/meta-analysis (PRISMA).A PRISMA-compliant...

Why it works: TCM rationale. Gui Pi Tang (GPT) “tonifies Spleen-Qi and Heart-Blood” and “calms the Shen,” traditionally used for poor memory, insomnia, anxiety, fatigue and palpitations—symptom...

Instructions: Which product?. • Gui Pi Tang (Kihito, 帰脾湯) – the classical base formula.. • Jia-Wei-Gui-Pi-Tang / Kamikihito (加味帰脾湯) – “augmented” version commonly studied in dementia set...

Warnings: Because Gui Pi Tang–type formulas are polyherbal, screen for condition- and drug-specific risks tied...

Studies: Behavioural symptoms in dementia (BPSD):Observer-blind multi...

Why it works: Neurotrophic effects (NGF/BDNF): Compounds in lion’s mane—chiefly the hericenones (from fruiting body) and erinacines (from mycelium)—can stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) in cel...

Instructions: There is no standardized medical dosing for AD. Human trials used different preparations:. • Fruiting body powder (MCI, not AD): 3,000 mg/day total—250 mg x4, three times daily—for...

Warnings: Overall safety: Generally well-tolerated in trials; most common AEs are abdominal discomfort, nausea...

Studies: Human trials (most relevant):Mild Alzheimer’s disease (pilot...