Herb of the Month

Brahmi

Latin name : Bacopa Monnieri 
Family : Scrophulariaceae
Common Name : Brahmi, bacopa, Babies tear, Bacopa monnieri, Herpestis monniera, water hyssop

Parts Used : Whole Plant

Distribution : Brahmi is an annual creeping plant found throughout India including the North Eastern region.

Introduction :
Bacopa monniera is bitter in taste; has been used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine for centuries. Brahmi which occurs naturally in India and has a long history of use in the Ayurvedic medicine tradition in the treatment of a number of disorders, particularly those involving anxiety, intellect and poor memory. Traditionally, it was used as a brain tonic to enhance memory development, learning, and concentration.

Plant Description :
Bacopa monniera, is a small, creeping herb with numerous branches, succulent, rooting at the nodes, with numerous prostrate branches, each 10-30 cm long. Brahmi leaves are petiole, oblong, sessile, and fleshy. Flowers are purple in color; axillary, solitary with peduncles. In India and the tropics it grows naturally in wet soil, shallow water, and marshes. The herb can be found at elevations from sea level to altitudes of 4,400 feet, and is easily cultivated if adequate water is available. Flowers and fruit appear in summer and the entire plant is used medicinally.

Benefits of using Brahmi :

•  Brahmi has been found to be very beneficial in the treatment of anxiety neurosis and mental fatigue. It has been found to significant improve IQ levels, general ability, behavioral patterns and mental concentration in children. Brahmi is useful for improving mental clarity, confidence and memory recall. For these uses of Brahmi, it has been widely used by students.

• Brahmi is also used for the treatment of epilepsy, insomnia, asthma and rheumatism.

• Studies have also shown Brahmi to possess anticancer activity.

• Brahmi is effective against diseases like bronchitis, asthma, hoarseness, arthritis, rheumatism, backache, constipation, hair loss, fevers, digestive problems etc.

• Brahmi is bitter in flavor, in India the plant is used in salads, soups, as a cooked lea vegetable, or pickled.

• Research has shown that Brahmi has Antioxidant, Cardiotonic and Anticancer properties.

• The plant is also used for all sorts of skin problems- eczema, psoriasis, abscess, ulcerations- it is said to stimulate the growth of skin, hair and nails.

Two chemicals in bacopa, bacosides A and B, improve the transmission of impulses between nerve cells in your brain. The neurobiological effects of these isolated molecules were found to increase protein kinase activity and new protein synthesis, specifically in cells in region of the brain associated with long-term memory. Bacopa also increases your level of serotonin, a brain chemical known to promote relaxation. The herb's ability to boost brain function while reducing anxiety may explain why it helps treat ADHD.

Aside from increasing intellectual and cognitive function, Brahmi induces a sense of calm and peace in its users. It is unique in its ability to invigorate mental processes whilst reducing the effects of stress and nervous anxiety. This makes Brahmi extremely applicable in highly stressful work or study environments where clarity of thought is as important as being able to work under pressure. Many people have the intelligence to perform to strict standards, but lack the composure and self-confidence to reach them. Additionally, Brahmi helps soothe the restlessness and distraction that nervousness causes. Brahmi is ideal for students and workers faced with this problem.

Ailments for which Brahmi can be used : 

• Improves intellect, consciousness, and mental acuity

• Calms the mind and promotes relaxation - Increases protein synthesis and activity in brain cells

• Improves memory, mental clarity and longevity

• Decreases anxiety, restlessness, and senility

• Most commonly used to improve mental alertness, and enhance learning and academic performance

• Improves learning capacity

In a study of its effects on children, it showed significant improvement in exploratory drive, improved perceptual image of patterns and increased perceptual organization and reasoning ability. There was improvement in the performance of school children with poor educational performance.

Who can take Bacopa (Brahmi) ?

Because herbal medicines are relatively mild and gentle on the human body, Bacopa Brahmi can be taken by practically everyone, regardless of age and gender. People can take Bacopa for insomnia and memory loss also because it has been effectively used against these ailments in clinical studies.

• Anyone concerned with improving their mental performance
• Anyone suffering from stress or anxiety
• Anyone wanting increased focus and concentration
• Anyone struggling with any addiction from morphine to food or sex
• Anyone wanting to remove age related decline in mental capacity and increase learning
• Anyone concerned about developing alzheimers or dementia
• Anyone wanting to stay alive longer, brahmi is a potent tonic and longevity inducer

Are there any side effects to taking Bacopa (Brahmi)?

There are no known side effects to taking Bacopa. Till the date, there is no record of any person who experienced side effects after using Brahmi. Person of any age, staying in any environment can benefit from Brahmi. The Brahmi is an incredible herb which can change your mental ability dramatically, it helps in improving grasping power in those who take it regularly

Is Bacopa addictive?

Bacopa (Brahmi) does not contain any addictive components. It is safe to use Bacopa for extended periods of time without fear of addiction.

What kind of action does Bacopa (Brahmi) have on the body?

Bacopa has a calming effect and is especially useful in addressing concerns related to anxiety, hyperactivity, and attention deficit disorders. Further, Bacopa helps improve intellectual capacity, acuity, clarity of thought, and concentration. Bacopa is especially important for improving memory, especially in the elderly, and shortens learning time.

How long do I have to take Bacopa before I can see results or improvements?

Herbal medicines address health concerns at the root and work in ways to improve overall health. They provide progressive, long-lasting results. Typically, Bacopa takes 3 - 4 weeks to take effect, although there are some individual differences, depending on the seriousness of the health condition.

Other use of Brahmi :

Anti Aging : Effects of a standardized Bacopa monnieri extract has a positive effect on cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in the elderly in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.  Studies in humans also show that an extract of the plant has anti-anxiety effects.

No adverse effects were observed in biochemical, electrocardiographic, hematological or clinical parameters in the post-treatment.

Anti Toxin : The toxic effects of free radicals are warded off by the brahmi,

Antioxidant : Aids in beating back and neutralizing all the free radicals inside the brain, the linings of the brain cells are protected by the brain and this action prevents long term damage to the nervous tissues making up the brain.

Anti Stress & Anxiety : Ideally, people who spend a lot of time in very stressful work or study environments can take the brahmi, not only for its calming effects but also due to its unique property of bringing about an improvement in the cognitive functioning of the brain.

Ayurvedic Supplements that contains Brahmi :