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 highly effective brain tonic. In Ayurveda, Brahmi is classified as medhya rasayana (improves mental health, intellect and memory; Rasayana that prevents ageing and gives longevity).
Even Scientific studies done on this plant proves its positive effect on 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 treatment of various diseases such as mental retardation, poor memory, epilepsy, insanity and neuroses, anaemia, leprosy, renal disease, blood disease, poisoning and cough. For improving memory, intellect and mental function, one should take Brahmi for more than three months.
Beneficial effects of Brahmi
- Antioxidant, adaptogenic, astringent, diuretic, sedative and nootropic actions
- Anti-anxiety agent
- Antispasmodic, used in bronchitis, asthma and diarrhoea
- 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 form of powders, decoctions, ghee, concentrated granules, tablets and syrups.