BACOPA MONNIERI (BRAHMI)

BACOPA MONNIERI (BRAHMI)

Brahmi, (Bacopa monnierii) also known as water hyssop, is a powerful aphrodisiac, memory enhancing herb, and general tonic that has been used in both Ayurvedic and Chinese Traditional Medicine for thousands of years. In ancient cultures this adaptogen was used to consecrate a baby’s birth because it was thought to provide intelligence, and wisdom. Bacopa is from the plant family, Scrophulariaceae. The genus Bacopa has 5 additional species: Bacopa australis, caroliniana (Lemon Bacopa or Blue Water Hyssop), crenata, madagascariensis and myriophylloides. Each plant offers its own medicinal qualities. Bacopa monnieri, specifically, has long been used to treat depression and anxiety, but has also been sought out for centuries as an aid to spiritual development as it offers clear insight.  It grows throughout Sri Lanka, India, Australia, Asia, Africa, South America, and parts of Europe. It is a bitter herb with white or purple flowers. It can grow in brackish water, and is even used in some aquariums.

Benefits of BRAHMI

Brahmi has many benefits due to its phytonutrients.

• Naturally combats stress
• Clears the mind
• Lessens anxiety and depression
• Adaptogenically supports all systems of the body
• Allows for deep concentration and focus
• Can regenerate brain cells
• antioxidant action on brain’s frontal cortex, striatum and hippocampus
• Promotes liver health
• Protects against low blood sugar
• Reduces dependence on opiod drugs
• Supports the immune response
• Lessens inflammation
• Supports those with hypothyroidism
• Promotes healing of wounds with minimal scarring
• Supports normal blood pressure
• Fights free-radical damage of cells with high levels of antioxidants
• Supports the nervous system
• Encourages a balanced emotional state
• Promotes daytime energy and nighttime rest
• Fights cancerous tumors
• Has been used to treat epileptics successfully
• Pacifies excesses in vata, kapha, and pitta doshas (read more about doshas, here)

How Does Brahmi Work?

Bahmi works primarily through its alkaloid compounds: brahmine, herpestatine, and three bases which include saponins, monnierin, and hesaponin. Brahmi also contains bacosides (A and B) along with other constituents which have been proven to support cellular regeneration and health. These include D-mannitol, betulic acid, b -sitosterol. stigma-sterol and its esters, heptacosine, octacosane nonacosane, triacontane, hentriacontane, dotriacontane, nicotine, 3-formyl-4-hydroxy-2H-pyran (C 6H603), luteolin and its 7-glucoside. Brahmi is also high in calcium, phosphorous, iron, and additional plant sterols, all providing therapeutic support.

Suggested Dosage

BeHerbal’s Brahmi is sourced only with high quality ingredients. It is suggested to take 2-6 gm/day of the dried herb. When used as an infusion, 1-3grams and as a fluid extract: 4-12ml/day.

Side Effects of Brahmi

Brahmi has been used medicinally for centuries with no side effects of any type reported at normal doses.  

Action

Bacopa Monniera contains a lot of active components such as alkaloids (brahmine and herpestine), saponins (d-mannitol and hersaponin, acid A, and monnierin), flavonoids, betulic acid, bacosides A and B and other useful constituents.

The last two chemicals play a central role in making Bacopa a popular brain food. Bacosides A and B improve the transmission of impulses between nerve cells in brain, they regenerate synapses and repair damaged neurons. It helps you to learn and remember new things much easier. In addition to it Bacopa promote you relaxation by increasing the level of serotonin (this chemical increases the level of happiness, especially in women). So, the herb switches on your brain functioning along with reducing the stress, restlessness, and senility. Sounds like it kills two problems by one shot.

This is the best herbal medical to enhance academic performance and mental alertness together with decreasing the effect of the tension of the period – it calms your nerves and removes the anxiety.

Health Benefits

Bacopa is bitter in flavor which makes it a unique addition to the salads and soups. It adds the food a piquant taste and health benefits – it also strengthen the heart, digestive and endocrine systems.

It is not only the memory enhancer or anxiety reliever, it is used for other health problems such as asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, acne, eczema, rheumatism, burns, cuts and other skin irritations (and also as anti-inflammatory), in case of constipation, also as emetic and aphrodisiac. It is also a diuretic, cardiac, nervine and tonic.
The main (but not the only) its benefit is Bacopa’s interesting effects on brain cells and its ability to improve protein synthesis. The all above mentioned adds up to it effectively having anti-aging effects on the mind. Of course it is better and more effective to learn and memorize when we are calm and relaxed and have a positive look for life. This is another strategically important health benefit of the Water Hyssop. By the way during the studies of the plant properties patients treated with Bacopa for anxiety neurosis got the feeling of harmony and calmness in first two weeks, they also experienced reduced mental fatigue and better short-term memory performance. After four weeks of taking the Bacopa they experienced decreasing of the systolic blood pressure. Along with these benefits (especially with the reducing of the anxiety) other symptoms gone – no more headaches, irritability, lack of concentration and nervousness. Insomnia, tremors and palpitations were notably relieved. So, it is a great safe substitute for anti-anxiety drugs, absolutely lack of side effects.

Another aspect of memory relates to motor function in our bodies. Memory operating at a molecular level is also involved in transmitting chemicals. It in its turn governs motor responses and nerve signals. Brahmi balances these important chemicals by stimulating production of a neurotransmitter in the brain known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate in the brain. GABA inhibits convulsive behavior and assists locomotor function. It allows the plant to serve as a sedative.

 Bacopa plant is a friend in the most common life situations. Whenever you need your extra memory potential with calm nerves (and when on earth you don’t) Bacopa gives it to you.

 *This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your qualified healthcare provider before beginning any diet or program.