Pictured above: Lion's Mane  Mushroom

Developing a Unique Botanical Formula for Zero Alcohol Beverages

Overcoming Challenges

I am Dr. Shankar Katekhaye working as Research and Quality Director at Nature’s Laboratory Ltd. Over the years, while working on innovative and exciting product development projects, I have developed diverse drug delivery systems (herbal and nutraceutical formulations) with a variety of biological applications. One such exciting project is the following, where I have developed a unique botanical formula with a biological effect on the brain.

In the product development process, I came across two significant challenges. Firstly, the product was a ZERO alcohol beverage where I could not use alcohol as an extraction solvent. It is a well-known fact that, for herbal medicines, the best extraction solvent is ethanol. Secondly, the challenge of a strong taste coming from botanicals in the final product. Botanicals have a strong taste, mostly astringent and bitter. This product, being a beverage, had to be developed with a sensitivity towards the taste of the final product and ultimately with acceptance by the consumer in mind.

With my years of experience and knowledge in natural medicine, I successfully tackled both these challenges. A unique and innovative product was developed without using alcohol, and at the same time brought all the goodness from the herbs into the botanical mix. This also helped me to solve the challenge of not having a strong taste in the final product.

While tackling challenges such as strong taste and effective extraction, we did not lose our focus on selecting herbs with a potent biological effect on the brain. This has been an exciting process and a learning process, with the following list of herbs selected for their medicinal benefits. 

The Chosen Herbs

Maca

Maca, also known as Lepidium meyenii, has been traditionally used for its potential benefits on the brain. Research suggests that maca contains phytochemicals, including macamides and macaenes, which have antioxidant properties. It is well known that anti-oxidants protect brain cells from oxidative stress and thus have neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing effects.

Maca is also considered an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body adapt to stress, which positively impacts mood and mental clarity by influencing neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. More clinical studies would help to fully understand Maca’s efficacy and mechanisms on the brain including its impact on energy levels, hormonal balance, and overall well-being that contribute to enhanced mental focus and cognitive function need.

Lion’s Mane

Lion’s Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus), is known for its potential neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing properties. Lion’s Mane promotes nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis in the brain, which is crucial for healthy neurons. Lion’s Mane has the following significant biological actions:

• Neurogenesis and nerve growth: Hericenones and erinacines from Lion’s Mane stimulate the production of NGF. NGF plays a critical role in the development and survival of neurons, especially in the brain's hippocampus, which is essential for learning and memory. Its ability to promote NGF production improves mood regulation and emotional resilience.
• Neuroprotection: Chronic inflammation in the brain is associated with cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. Lion’s Mane has antioxidative properties which reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, thus protect against neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
• Cognitive function and memory: Studies have demonstrated that Lion’s Mane improves cognitive functions, particularly memory and learning. It promotes synaptic plasticity, the ability of synapses to strengthen or weaken over time, which is crucial for memory formation and retention.

Overall, Lion’s Mane mushroom holds promise as a natural nootropic and neuroprotective agent, though more clinical research is needed to fully understand its long-term effects on human brain health.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera root), an Ayurvedic adaptogenic herb which has numerous effects on the brain due to its neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anxiolytic properties. Significant biological actions are-

• Stress reduction and anxiolytic effects: Ashwagandha helps lower levels of cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone. Studies have shown that it can reduce symptoms of anxiety, promote relaxation, and improve mood. The herb is effective in reducing anxiety and depression as it modulates neurotransmitters like GABA and serotonin. It also improves overall brain plasticity and enhances neural resilience.
• Neuroprotection and anti-inflammation: Active compounds such as withanolides inhibit the free radical production, thus protecting brain cells from oxidative damage. It also reduces neuroinflammation, which is associated with neurodegenerative conditions listed previously. This property of Ashwagandha improves memory and cognitive functions including attention, information processing speed, and executive function. Studies suggest it protect neurons and promotes dendrite growth, which improves neural communication.
• Neurogenesis and brain repair: Ashwagandha promotes neurogenesis and helps repair damaged brain cells. Animal studies suggest that this herb stimulates neuron growth in the hippocampus. This offers therapeutic benefits for recovering from brain injuries or preventing the progression of age-related cognitive decline.

In summary, Ashwagandha has profound effects on brain health by reducing stress, protecting neurons, improving cognitive functions, and promoting brain repair.

Guarana

Guarana (Paullinia cupana seed), a plant native to the Amazon, is widely known for its high caffeine content (even more caffeine than coffee beans) and its stimulating effects on the brain. Important biological actions identified are-

• Stimulation and enhanced cognitive performance: The high caffeine content in guarana stimulates the central nervous system by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain. Thus, it increases alertness, wakefulness, and energy levels. These properties are attributed to caffeine’s ability to increase dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain. These neurotransmitters in the brain are associated with pleasure, motivation, and well-being. Research suggests that guarana can reduce symptoms of mental fatigue and depression.
• Antioxidant and neuroprotective effects: Its antioxidant properties (through catechins and tannins) protect brain cells from oxidative stress and improve neural signalling.
• Sustained energy and mental clarity: Unlike caffeine in coffee, which can cause a quick spike and drop in energy, the tannins in guarana cause a slow release of caffeine into the bloodstream. This leads to longer-lasting mental clarity and sustained alertness without the sharp energy crashes typically associated with caffeine intake.

A Product with Long-term Benefits on Brain Health

These carefully selected herbs have targeted actions such as -

• a stimulating effect on the brain,
• enhancement of cognitive performance,
• protection of neurons through their antioxidant properties and
• improvement of mood and mental energy.

The unique combination of bioactive compounds from these herbs makes this botanical mix an effective natural stimulant for boosting brain function. Ultimately, we successfully developed a product which has long-term benefits on brain health and is neuroprotective, learning enhancing, mood boosting and energy elevating for its consumers.