Bacopa monnieri or Brahmi is a very well-known medicinal herb. In India, Brahmi is used for centuries to improve mental health, intellect and memory. It is a highly effective brain tonic. In Ayurveda, Brahmi is classified as medhya Rasayana (improves mental health, intellect and memory, Rasayana that prevents aging and gives longevity).
Even Scientific studies done on this plant proves its positive effect on the brain function. Clinical study shows significantly improvement in memory acquisition and retention in older age groups.
Brahmi or Bacopa is bitter in taste and has laxative, astringent, brain Tonic, memory enhancing, and longevity promoting properties. It is indicated in the treatment of various diseases such as mental retardation, poor memory, epilepsy, insanity and neuroses, anemia, leprosy, renal disease, blood disease, poisoning and cough. For improving memory, intellect and mental function, one should take Brahmi for more than three months.
Health Benefits of Brahmi
- Antioxidant, adaptogenic, astringent, diuretic, sedative and nootropic actions
- Anti-anxiety agent
- Antispasmodic, used in bronchitis, asthma and diarrhea
- Improves cognitive and neurological function
- Brain and nervine tonic
- Rasayana that promotes youthfulness and longevity
- Improving memory in old age
- Helpful in curing dementia
General Information
- Latin name: Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Penn.
- Synonym: Herpestis monnieria (Linn.) H. B. & K. Moniera
- Family: Scrophulariaceae
- Sanskrit: Brahmi, Sarasvati
- English: Thyme-leaved Gratiola.
- Hindi: Barami, Jalnim
- Bengali: Boihim-sak
- Malayalam: Brahmi, Nirbrahmi
- Tamil: Nirpirami, Piramiyapundu
- Kannada: Nirbrahmi
- Part used: whole plant
- Plant description
Semi-aquatic, creeping, tender perennial, up to four inches tall. Succulent leaves and stems form a thick, spreading mat;stems root at leaf nodes. Leaves are a half inch or more long and a half inch wide, bright green, and spoon shaped;Five-petal flowers arc white to pale blue and measure a half inch.
Habitat: damp places and marshy lands in the major part of the plains of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and other tropical countries.
Brahmi is light and cold, astringent, bitter, and sweet post-digestive and pacifies the kapha and Pitta humor. Brahrni is used as a single herb and also in combination with other herbs. Brahmi can be taken orally in the form of powders, decoctions, ghee, concentrated granules, tablets and syrups.
Brahmi or Bacopa monnieri is a very well-known medicinal herb. It is used in Ayurveda for centuries. Brahmi is useful in nervous disorders, bronchitis, fever, swelling, abdominal pain, and flatulence. Brahmi has stomachic, digestive, rejuvenative, anti-epileptic, anti-pyretic and analgesic activities. It is a brain and nervine Rasayana. It is effective against aging of brain, memory loss, mental confusion, epilepsy, mental retardation, etc. Bacopa is brain stimulant, cures anxiety and tension, improves memory and rejuvenator for the brain.
Here are some medicinal uses of Brahmi mentioned in Ayurveda
- Improving memory, intellect and mental function
For enhancing brain function it can be taken alone as leaf extract in a dose of 100-300 mg or combination with other herbs. There are various such herbal syrups, tablets are available in market. It is important to take regularly Brahmi for more than three months for its positive effect on the brain. - Fever, fatigue, abdominal gas and pain, nervous disorders, infertility, Bronchitis
Take one cup of Brahmi juice. Cook this juice in equal amount of cow ghee. Take 1 teaspoonful of this medicated ghee twice a day. - Inflammation, gout, rheumatism
Mix juice of brahmi plant and molten petroleum jelly in 1:2 ratio. Apply this on the affected areas. - Cough, cold
Boil whole plant of Brahmi. Tie in a cloth to form poultice. Apply this on chest and repeat frequently.