TL;DR: Nootropics are substances that support cognitive function — memory, focus, and mental clarity — without the crash or dependency risk of stimulants. Long before the word existed, cultures across the world were using plants for exactly this purpose. Terupharma's Brain Health Blend combines five of the most researched cognitive botanicals — Ginkgo, Gotu Kola, Brahmi (Bacopa), Rosemary, and Sage — in an alcohol-free triple-extracted oral spray.
What Are Nootropics, Really?
The word "nootropic" was coined in 1972 by Romanian psychologist and chemist Corneliu E. Giurgea, combining the Greek words nous (mind) and trepein (to turn or bend). Giurgea was describing a new category of compounds that could support cognition without acting as a sedative or a stimulant.
Since then, the term has broadened. Today it covers two very different categories:
- Synthetic/pharmaceutical nootropics — compounds like piracetam, modafinil, or prescription stimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine salts. These act directly and often powerfully on brain chemistry, and in South Africa most require a prescription.
- Natural/herbal nootropics — plants that have been used for centuries, sometimes millennia, to support memory, focus, and mental clarity. These tend to work more gradually, supporting the brain's own chemistry rather than overriding it.
Terupharma works exclusively in the second category. We are not trying to replicate a stimulant. We are trying to give the brain what it needs to function well.
How Natural Nootropics Actually Work
Herbal nootropics don't all work the same way. Most act through one or more of these mechanisms:
- Cerebral blood flow — improving oxygen and nutrient delivery to brain tissue
- Acetylcholine preservation — slowing the breakdown of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter central to memory and learning
- Neurogenesis support — encouraging the growth and repair of nerve cells and synaptic connections
- Antioxidant protection — defending brain cells against oxidative stress, a driver of cognitive decline
- Adaptogenic stress modulation — reducing the way chronic stress hormones interfere with concentration and recall
The Science-Backed Botanicals in Terupharma's Brain Health Blend
1. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
One of the oldest living tree species on earth, Ginkgo has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Its flavonoids and terpenoids support circulation to the brain and are among the most studied natural compounds for memory and age-related cognitive decline. A randomised, placebo-controlled study published in Human Psychopharmacology found that a single dose of Ginkgo biloba extract improved memory performance in healthy adults within hours of administration.
Reference: Mix JA, Crews WD Jr. (2002). Human Psychopharmacology — PubMed
2. Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)
Revered in both Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine as the "herb of longevity", Gotu Kola supports nerve growth factor production and has been used for centuries to sharpen mental clarity while calming anxiety — a rare combination. A study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that Centella asiatica extract improved working memory in healthy elderly participants over a 2-month period.
Reference: Wattanathorn J et al. (2008). Journal of Ethnopharmacology — PubMed
3. Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)
A cornerstone of Ayurvedic medicine for over 3,000 years, Brahmi is one of the most extensively studied herbs for cognitive enhancement. Its bacosides support synaptic communication and nerve repair. A landmark randomised controlled trial published in Psychopharmacology found that 12 weeks of Bacopa monnieri supplementation significantly improved memory retention and reduced the rate of forgetting in healthy adults, compared to placebo.
Reference: Stough C et al. (2001). Psychopharmacology — PubMed
4. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
Long known as "the herb of remembrance", Rosemary's active compound rosmarinic acid inhibits the breakdown of acetylcholine. Research published in the International Journal of Neuroscience found that exposure to rosemary aroma alone measurably improved cognitive performance and altered mood in healthy adults — suggesting its active compounds are bioavailable through multiple routes.
Reference: Moss M et al. (2003). International Journal of Neuroscience — PubMed
5. Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Sage's Latin name, salvia, means "to save" or "to heal". Modern research confirms Sage inhibits acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme that breaks down memory-related neurotransmitters. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior found that a single dose of Salvia officinalis significantly improved memory and mood in healthy young adults, particularly under demanding cognitive tasks.
Reference: Kennedy DO et al. (2006). Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior — PubMed
Nootropics vs Stimulants: An Important Distinction
It's worth being direct about this: natural nootropics are not a substitute for prescribed medication, and we are not making that claim. Many South Africans reach for caffeine, energy drinks, or prescribed stimulants to push through mental fatigue. These work by forcing alertness — and they typically come with a crash once the effect wears off, along with a risk of dependency with regular high-dose use.
Herbal nootropics work differently. They tend to act gradually, supporting the brain's own chemistry rather than overriding it, and they are generally non-habit-forming. This also means the effect builds over days and weeks of consistent use rather than arriving instantly — an important, honest distinction to understand before you start.
If you are on prescribed medication for attention, focus, or a diagnosed cognitive condition, please speak to your healthcare practitioner before adding any herbal supplement, and never stop or change prescribed medication without medical guidance.
The Extraction Challenge: Why Most Cognitive Supplements Fall Short
Many of the compounds above — particularly the bacosides in Brahmi and the terpenoids in Ginkgo — are only released in meaningful amounts through proper extraction. Capsules made from raw, dried, ground herb leave much of that material locked inside indigestible plant fibre, meaning your body absorbs only a fraction of what's on the label.
At Terupharma, our alcohol-free triple extraction process — using ultrasound, pressure, and heat — is designed to release the active compounds from all five botanicals into a single concentrated spray. Just three ingredients: plants, rainwater, and vegetable glycerine. No ethanol, no alcohol of any kind — suitable for everyone, including those who avoid alcohol for religious, medical, or personal reasons.
→ Shop Terupharma Brain Health Blend
The Terupharma Vision
Mental fatigue and information overload aren't unique to any one country — but access to real, well-formulated cognitive support often is. We bring five of the world's most studied nootropic botanicals together in one bottle, extracted properly, and priced for the people who need it — not just those who can afford imported capsules.
How to Use
- Dosage: 3 to 4 pumps directly into the mouth
- Timing: Best taken in the morning or before mentally demanding tasks; consistent daily use matters more than timing
- Consistency: Like most herbal nootropics, benefits build gradually — allow 2–4 weeks of daily use before assessing results
- Caution: Consult your healthcare practitioner before use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, on chronic medication, or on prescribed medication for a diagnosed cognitive or attention condition
Frequently Asked Questions
Are natural nootropics safe to take every day?
Yes, for most people. Ginkgo, Gotu Kola, Bacopa, Rosemary, and Sage all have long histories of traditional daily use and are generally well tolerated. As with any supplement, consult your healthcare practitioner if you are on chronic medication.
How long before I notice a difference?
Most people notice initial changes in focus and mental clarity within 1–2 weeks, with fuller memory-related benefits building over 4–8 weeks of consistent daily use. This is typical of herbal nootropics generally — they are cumulative, not instant.
Can I take this alongside coffee or other stimulants?
Generally yes — herbal nootropics and caffeine work through different mechanisms and are commonly used together. Start with a lower combined intake to see how your body responds.
What's the difference between herbal nootropics and ADHD medication?
Prescribed ADHD medication acts directly and powerfully on specific neurotransmitter systems and is regulated as a scheduled medicine for a reason — it is a clinical treatment for a diagnosed condition. Herbal nootropics are food supplements that support general cognitive function; they are not a treatment for ADHD or any other diagnosed condition, and should never replace prescribed medication without your doctor's guidance.
Is this legal and available in South Africa?
Yes. Ginkgo, Gotu Kola, Bacopa, Rosemary, and Sage are not scheduled substances in South Africa and are freely available as food supplements. Terupharma's Brain Health Blend is available online at terupharma.com with delivery across South Africa and local pickup options. → Order here
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Terupharma products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, including ADHD or any other diagnosed condition. Consult your healthcare practitioner before use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or on chronic medication. Alcohol-free formula.
Author: Shamim Nong | Terupharma