1. Major “Cognition Boosters” plant extract products🧠

These products are usually based on traditional medicinal plants or plants that modern research has found to improve memory, concentration, mood, stress resistance or neuroprotection. The following are some of the main products that are highly recognized and widely used in the international market:

1.Ginkgo biloba extract

Main ingredients: flavonol glycosides, terpenoid lactones (ginkgolides, bilobalide).

Cognitive related effects: Improves blood circulation and oxygen supply to the brain, anti-oxidation, protects nerve cells, and is believed to help improve memory, attention and overall cognitive function, especially in the elderly. It is one of the most traditional and widely used ingredients in cognitive supplements.

Common product forms: Dietary supplements (capsules, tablets).

2.Ginseng extract

Main types: Asian ginseng (Korean ginseng/red ginseng), American ginseng.

Main ingredients: Ginsenosides (different types and proportions).

Cognitive effects: Adaptogenic properties, helps the body cope with stress, relieves fatigue, improves energy and focus, and may have a positive effect on learning and memory. American ginseng is often considered more “cooling”, focusing on relieving stress and improving cognitive clarity.

Common product forms: Dietary supplements, energy drinks, functional foods/drinks.

3.Centella asiatica extract

Main ingredients: Triterpenoid saponins (Centella asiatica, Madecassoside).

Cognitive effects: Traditionally used for wound healing and skin health, recent studies have shown that it has significant neuroprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, may promote synaptic growth, improve learning and memory, and relieve anxiety. Often classified as a “nootropic”.

Common product forms: Dietary supplements (often as part of a complex formula).

4.Bacopa monnieri extract

Main ingredients: Bacopa saponins A and B.

Cognitive effects: Has a long history in Ayurvedic medicine. Studies have shown that it can enhance brain acetylcholine levels (an important neurotransmitter), improve memory, learning ability and information processing speed, and has neuroprotective and antioxidant effects. It is a very fast-growing star ingredient in the field of Cognition Boosters.

Common product forms: Dietary supplements (single or combined formulas).

5.Ashwagandha extract

Main ingredients: Withanolides.

Cognitive related effects: A powerful adaptogen, its main function is to help the body manage stress and balance cortisol levels. By reducing stress and anxiety, it indirectly improves cognitive clarity, focus and memory. Stress is one of the main causes of modern cognitive impairment, so ashwagandha is widely used in the field of cognitive health.

Common product forms: Dietary supplements (single or combined formulas), tea.

6.Baca extract

Main ingredients: Unique compound Bacosides.

Cognitive related effects: Similar to Bacopa monnieri, it is used in Ayurveda to enhance memory and learning. Studies have shown that it has antioxidant, neuroprotective and neuroregenerative effects, and can improve cognitive function, especially in memory consolidation.

Common product forms: Dietary supplements (often mentioned together with Bacopa monnieri).

7.Huperzine A

Source: Mainly extracted from the Chinese herbal medicine Melaleuca alternifolia (strictly speaking, it is not an “extract”, but a purified alkaloid, but it is often classified as such in this discussion).

Cognitive-related effects: It is a potent, reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (similar to the mechanism of some Alzheimer’s disease drugs), which can significantly increase acetylcholine levels in the brain and directly improve memory and learning ability. It is highly potent and should be used under the guidance of professionals.

Common product forms: Dietary supplements (pay attention to dosage and regulatory restrictions, and may be managed as a drug in some countries).

8.Green tea extract / L-theanine

Main ingredients: Epigallocatechin gallate, L-theanine (amino acid).

Cognitive-related effects: EGCG has strong antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. L-theanine can cross the blood-brain barrier, promote relaxation without causing drowsiness, increase alpha brain wave activity, improve attention and concentration, and is often combined with caffeine to provide “calm concentration”.

Common product forms: dietary supplements, functional beverages.

9.Rosemary extract

Main ingredients: rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid, 1,8-cineole, etc.

Cognitive-related effects: Traditionally believed to enhance memory. Modern research supports its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory potential, which may improve short-term memory and concentration. It is also commonly used for aromatherapy to refresh.

Common product forms: dietary supplements, essential oils (aromatherapy).

10.Sage extract

Main ingredients: various phenolic acids, flavonoids, volatile essential oils.

Cognitive-related effects: Studies have shown that it can inhibit acetylcholinesterase, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and may improve memory, attention and mood, especially in healthy elderly people and those with mild cognitive impairment.

Common product forms: dietary supplements, tea.

2. 2. Products with fast growth in international market demand📈

According to recent market reports and trend analysis (such as Grand View Research, Mordor Intelligence, Nutrition Business Journal, etc.), the following categories have particularly strong growth momentum:

Bacopa monnieri extract: Benefiting from the global popularity of Ayurvedic medicine and a large number of scientific studies supporting its effects in healthy people and people with mild cognitive impairment, demand has surged. It is one of the fastest growing star ingredients in the field of cognitive health.

Ashwagandha extract: Stress is common in modern society. As a powerful adaptogen, it can significantly alleviate the negative effects of stress on cognitive function (such as brain fog and lack of concentration), and market demand continues to grow rapidly.

Centella asiatica extract: Rapidly expanding from traditional skin applications to the field of neurocognition, its mechanism of promoting synaptic growth is very attractive, research is hot, and market acceptance is rapidly increasing.

Compound formula plant extracts: Single ingredients have limited effects. Compound formula products that combine multiple synergistic plant extracts (such as Bacopa monnieri + Centella asiatica + Ashwagandha; L-theanine + caffeine + Ginkgo biloba) are growing very fast, meeting consumers’ demand for “overall brain power improvement”.

High-concentration, standardized extracts: The market demand for standardized extracts with clear active ingredient content and bioavailability is growing rapidly, which represents more reliable quality and effect expectations.

3. Regions with large demand
North America:🌍

The United States: The world’s largest dietary supplement market, consumers have a strong health awareness, high acceptance of natural, plant-based solutions, and cognitive health is an important market segment. The demand is large and continues to grow. The acceptance of innovative ingredients (such as Bacopa monnieri and Centella asiatica) is fast.

Canada: The market is similar to the United States, with similar regulatory frameworks and steady demand growth.

Europe:

Western Europe: Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, the Netherlands and other countries are the main markets. These regions have prominent population aging problems and huge demand for cognitive health products. Consumers generally trust the tradition of botanical medicine (such as the German herbal medicine tradition) and have a high degree of recognition for ginkgo, ginseng, etc. Although the regulations (such as the EU Traditional Herbal Medicine Product Registration THMPD) are strict, once approved, the market is stable.

Northern Europe: High health awareness, strong demand for natural health products, is an important growth market.

Asia Pacific:

Japan: A serious aging society, there is a huge demand for preventive health management and cognitive health products. It is also the world’s leading market for functional foods/beverages, and plant extracts are often added to them. There is a high acceptance of traditional ingredients such as ginseng and ginkgo, and an open attitude towards new products.

South Korea: Similar to Japan, with an aging population and high health consumption expenditure, there is a huge demand for ginseng (especially red ginseng) Cognition Boosters products, and it is also actively developing other plant extracts.

China: The market size is huge and growing rapidly. With the expansion of the middle class, the improvement of health awareness and the acceleration of aging, the demand for cognitive health products has increased dramatically. The local ginseng, ginkgo and other resources are rich, and the traditional Chinese medicine background is deep, and there is a huge demand for related extracts. At the same time, there is a growing interest in new ingredients that are popular internationally (such as ashwagandha and bacopa monnieri).

Australia/New Zealand: Mature markets with strong health awareness, steady growth in demand for natural supplements, and a sound regulatory system (TGA, MedSafe).

Other potential growth regions:

Middle East and North Africa: Some wealthy countries (such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia) have increased health consumption spending and increased interest in international brands and natural health products.

Latin America: Major economies such as Brazil and Mexico have an expanding middle class and increased attention to health care products, with great market potential.