Bacopa monnieri, waterhyssop, brahmi, thyme-leafed gratiola, water hyssop, herb of grace, Indian pennywort
Bacopa has traditionally been
employed as a neurological tonic and cognitive enhancer, and it is
currently being studied for its possible neuroprotective properties.
Traditionally, it was used as a brain tonic to enhance
memory development, learning, and concentration, and to provide relief to
patients with anxiety or epileptic disorders. The plant has also been used as a
cardiac tonic, digestive aid, and to improve respiratory function in cases of bronchoconstriction.
Recent research has focused primarily on Bacopa’s cognitive-enhancing effects,
specifically memory, learning, and concentration, and results support the
traditional Ayurvedic claims. Research on anxiety, epilepsy, bronchitis and asthma,
irritable bowel syndrome, and gastric ulcers also supports the Ayurvedic uses
of Bacopa. Bacopa’s antioxidant properties may offer protection from free
radical damage in cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer.
A study is
reported on the effects of Brahmi (Bacopa monniera) on human memory.
Seventy-six adults aged between 40 and 65 years took part in a double-blind
randomized, placebo control study in which various memory functions were tested
and levels of anxiety measured. There were three testing sessions: one prior to
the trial, one after three months on the trial, and one six weeks after the
completion of the trial. The results show a significant effect of the Brahmi on
a test for the retention of new information. Follow-up tests showed that the
rate of learning was unaffected, suggesting that Brahmi decreases the rate of
forgetting of newly acquired information. Tasks assessing attention, verbal and
visual short-term memory and the retrieval of pre-experimental knowledge were
unaffected. Questionnaire measures of everyday memory function and anxiety
levels were also unaffected.
Brahmi is
used for Alzheimer's disease, improving memory, anxiety, attention
deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), allergic conditions, irritable bowel
syndrome, and as a general tonic to fight stress. People also take brahmi to
treat backache, hoarseness, mental illness, epilepsy, joint pain, and sexual
performance problems in both men and women. It is also sometimes used as a
“water pill.” Bacopa has been used in traditional Ayurvedic treatment for
epilepsy and asthma. It is also used in Ayurveda for ulcers, tumours, ascites,
enlarged spleen, indigestion, inflammations, leprosy, anaemia, and biliousness.
The most commonly reported adverse
side effects of BM in humans are nausea, increased intestinal motility, and
gastrointestinal upset. Improving memory. Some research shows that taking
specific brahmi extracts (KeenMind; BacoMind) improves some measure memory in
otherwise healthy older adults. Brahmi appears to be no more effective than a
sugar pill in keeping IBS symptoms from returning after remission.
Be careful not to confuse brahmi
(Bacopa monnieri) with Gotu Kola and other natural medicines that are also
sometimes called brahmi. Gotu Kola(Centella
asiatica) is also
known as sarswathi aku, kudavan, muththil, kudangal, thankuni, मधुकपर्णी, mandukaparni, ब्राम्ही(Marathi),
vallaarai, brahmi booti. In Ayurveda supplements made from Gotu Kola(Centella
asiatica) are promoted as cancer treatment; however
according to the American Cancer Society, "available scientific evidence
does not support claims of its effectiveness for treating cancer or any
other disease in humans.
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