Gastrodia elata extract,
does it really help with Improvement of memory and cognitive function?
research showsA 2025 RCT of Gastrodia hot-water extract at 500 mg in 100 participants improved ADAS-cog and K-MMSE. A 2022 trial was null in the overall population and positive only in the BDNF Val/Met subgroup, while a 50-person 2013 trial had multiple endpoints and high attrition. HX106 combines Gastrodia with Salvia, longan, and Liriope and is not standalone evidence. Conflicting positive and null findings result in C.
ads claimAdvertising may describe memory enhancement, brain activation, and dementia prevention, while the direct evidence concerns 12-week changes in cognitive tests among middle-aged and older adults.
Useful facts when choosing a product
- The 2025 trial used tablets providing 500 mg/day of Gastrodia extract for 12 weeks.
- Gastrodia powder, hot-water tea, and standardized extracts differ in manufacturing and constituent content.
- Positive and null findings were reported across multiple cognitive tests.
- No serious adverse-event signal was reported in the 12-week trials.
Chamgap Semantic Classification Code
Candidate index · review held
S.gastrodia-elata-extract.UNK.memory-and-cognitive-function.improve.placeboSupplements and nutraceuticals > Gastrodia elata extract > Unknown > memory and cognitive function > Improvement claim > Placebo
An automated migration candidate, not an issued permanent code; exact claim scope remains under review. This machine-generated migration candidate helps retrieval but is not a permanent assignment. The original verdict ID and URL remain authoritative.
What the research actually shows
Jun 2025 administered 500 mg/day of Gastrodia hot-water extract for 12 weeks to 100 adults and reported improvements in ADAS-cog and K-MMSE. The Jung 2022 pilot was null for cognitive tests in the overall population and positive only in the BDNF Val/Met subgroup. Kim 2013 tested 50 participants, reported selected positives among many cognitive endpoints, and had high attrition. HX106 is a four-ingredient combination of Gastrodia, Salvia, longan, and Liriope and is excluded as standalone Gastrodia evidence.
Why this is classified as C (52)
The positive ADAS-cog and K-MMSE results in the 2025 standalone hot-water-extract trial are direct signals. They conflict with the 2022 overall-population null result and Val/Met-only finding and the multiple-endpoint, high-attrition 2013 trial; HX106 is not standalone evidence. The result is C with 52 points.
Counterpoint. A 12-week ADAS-cog signal remains for the recent standardized extract; this judgment does not dismiss that signal or extend it to long-term clinical outcomes.
Rejudgment record. Reassessment (cross-check reflected) — A 2025 100-person RCT of 500 mg Gastrodia hot-water extract was positive for ADAS-cog and K-MMSE, but a 2022 trial was null overall and positive only in the Val/Met subgroup, a 2013 50-person study had multiple endpoints and high attrition, and the four-ingredient HX106 is not standalone evidence
Cross-check — AI research and Codex final gate
Evidence Table
| Study | Design | Sample | Funding | Endpoint | Result | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kim WC et al. 2013 | Twelve-week double-blind comparative clinical trial | 50 | Unknown | K-DRS, MMSE-K, Digit Span, letter fluency, word list, and Trail Making Test | Selected K-DRS domains, MMSE-K, letter fluency, and word recognition improved, while Digit Span and Trail Making Test did not differ. | Supportive, small |
| Jung SJ et al. 2022 | Twelve-week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot | Unknown; no competing interest reported | Cognitive tests, BDNF, CRP, and BDNF genotype subgroup | Cognitive tests did not differ in the overall population; only verbal and visual recognition in the Val/Met subgroup was positive. | Key, overall population null | |
| Jun H et al. 2025 | Twelve-week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial | 98 | Not identified in the public abstract; linked to development for individual recognition | ADAS-cog primary endpoint, K-MMSE, BDNF, amyloid beta, and total antioxidant status | ADAS-cog, K-MMSE, BDNF, and total antioxidant status improved, while amyloid beta did not. | Key, recent positive trial |
Receipt — 3 References
All 3 cited sources were verified for existence at the original page (as of 2026-07-11).
Final verification and publication gate: Codex · Evidence date: 2026-07-11 · Corrections: none
Cite this verdict
[Chamgap] Gastrodia elata extract x improvement of memory and cognitive function — Evidence Grade C·52. 3 cited sources checked. Source: https://chamgap.com/en/verdicts/cognition/gastrodia-elata-memory-cognition/ · CC BY 4.0CC BY 4.0 — free to use with attribution; do not distort grades, numbers, or verdict meaning.
What this document does and does not do
Chamgap is an information source. It reports what research has and has not confirmed; it does not tell readers what to take or buy. That decision belongs to readers and, when needed, medical or legal professionals. This verdict reflects literature available up to the search date and may change as new research appears. Nothing here is medical advice.