CHAPTER 14
Brahmi: #1 Herb For Cognitive Disorders

One of the most important features of modern medicine differentiating it from Ayurveda is the method of breaking complex phenomena into their component parts and dealing with each in isolation.

Ayurveda, a 5,000-year-old medical system, claims that Brahmi (Bacopa monniera(L) Wettst) is one of the best-known herbal medicine for improving learning, memory and recall. Brahmi is a Sanskrit word derived from “Lord Brahma” or “Brahman”. Lord Brahma is the god of creation responsible for all of the creative forces in the world and Brahman is the Hindu name given to the universal consciousness. Brahmi literally means the energy of Brahma. Thus, Brahmi has a lot to offer to the medical world. Brahmi is an important medicinal plant that has been widely used therapeutically and is becoming increasingly popular in the west. According to Ayurveda, brahmi is characterized by lightness, peace and clarity and is good for all ages of people. Brahmi has been used for more than 3,000 years in traditional Indian medicine and is recognized the world over as a brain tonic to promote intellect and comprehension, rejuvenate the brain and boost the memory. People also take Brahmi to treat backache, hoarseness, mental illness, epilepsy, joint, and sexual performance problems in both men and women. It is also sometimes used as a “water pill.” Brahmi is not gotu kola (Centella asiatica). Some reference books say that gotu kola is called Brahmi. A critical study of comparative photochemistry, pharmacology and therapeutic properties of these two drugs has proven that they are distinct. Both are esteemed Ayurvedic herbs. Brahmi was used specifically in mental diseases like insanity and epilepsy, while gotu kola (Mandukaparni) was used as a general brain tonic.

Brahmi Herb Information

1. Nomencalture

Family Name: Plantaginaceae

Scientific Name: Bacopa monniera(L) Wettst

Sanskrit Name: Brahmi

English Name: Herb of Grace

Common Name: Andri, Bacopa, Bacopa monniera, Herb of Grace, Herpestis Herb, Herpestis monniera, Hysope d’Eau, Jalanimba, Jal-Brahmi, Jalnaveri, Nira-Brahmi, Moniera cuneifolia, Sambrani Chettu, Thyme-Leave Gratiola, Water Hyssop. Bacopa, Babies tear, Bacopa monnieri, Hespestis monniera, Nirbrahmi, Indian Pennywort, Jalanevari, water hyssop etc

2. Bioenergies

Rasa: Tikta

Guna: Laghu, sniddha

Virya: Ushna

Vipica: Katu

Prabhava: Medhya

3. Biomedical Action

Sedative, nervine, cardiotonic, anti-spasmodic, anti-convulsing, anti-inflammatory.y

Habitat

Brahmi is found in humid and warmer parts of the world. It is found in marshy areas near streams and ponds throughout India especially in the north eastern regions. In India and the tropics it grows naturally in wet soil, shallow water, and marshes. It is found in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. Brahmi is found in humid and warmer parts of the world hills of Himachal Pradesh. It is also widely grown in the Bandhavgarh National Park in India. Brahmi is an annual creeping plant found throughout India including the North Eastern region. The herb can be found at elevations from sea level to altitudes of 1,350 m(3,500 feet) and is easily cultivated, if adequate water is available. Flowers and fruit appear in summer and the entire plant is used medicinally.

Brahmi Product

Botanical characters

Bacopa monniera, is a small, creeping herb with numerous prostrate branches, each 10-30 cm long. succulent, rooting at the nodes, brahmi leaves are 1-2 X 0.4-1.0.cm in size. long petiole, oblong, sessile, and fleshy. Small, tubular, five-petalled, white flowers develop in leaf terminals and can blossom over many months of the year. Small, dark seed set in a flat, oval capsule. Perennial ground cover to 10 cm high, with sprawling stems that may root.

Plant Part Used

All parts

Health Benefits

There are number of health benefits associated with this wonderful herb. some of them are

• • Brahmi is a favorite brain tonic herb – it literally means “that which gives knowledge of Supreme Reality.” Brahmi improves many brain functions including memory, learning ability, mental acuity and concentration, and can even help rejuvenate the brain cells. It’s the #1 herb for cognitive disorders associated with aging!
• • It is taken to get relief from stress and anxiety. According to the Ayurveda, Brahmi have antioxidant properties.
• • Brahmi is highly recommended for employees who suffer from extreme stress, for students in difficult examination periods, for seniors to retain mental vitality, and for managers to increase their memory and concentration.
• • Brahmi is used in Ayurveda for centuries. treatment of bronchitis, chronic cough, asthma, hoarseness, arthritis, rheumatism, backache, fluid retention, blood cleanser, chronic skin conditions, constipation, hair loss, fevers, digestive problems, depression, mental and physical fatigue and many more.
• • It has been reported to reduce oxidation of fats in the blood stream, which is the risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Brahmi is considered as the main rejuvenating herb for the nerve and brain.
• • It is used to treat all sorts of skin problems like eczema, psoriasis, abscess and ulceration.
• • A recent scientific study showed that brahmi has potent antioxidant properties, which is, no doubt, why it was also revered in India for strengthening the immune system, improving vitality and performance and promoting longevity. Along with the more familiar antioxidants, beta sitosterol, a powerful fatty acid in brahmi, acts to relieve many degenerative conditions.
• • It is used in mental disorders, epilepsy, and hysteria. Brahmi also possess anticancer activity.
• • It specifically enhances the quality of pitta and this directly influences the nature of consciousness. Nerves used to aid recovery from exhaustion, stress and debility with aggravation of vata. A specific herb for all conditions with a deficient majja dhatu. Consider using in Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, dementia, ADHD, Asperger’s syndrome, autism, depression and drug addiction.
• • Brahmi is very useful in skin conditions with an underlying nervous imbalance. It also benefits tension throughout the system helping to ease constipation from stress, relax muscle tightness and alleviate menstrual pain.
• • It is commonly used to treat insomnia. It can cool the heat of cystitis and pain of dysuria by guiding pitta out of the urinary tract.
• • In May 1996 the Royal Society of British Science called nitric oxide ‘the marvel of the decade’. They found that the nitric oxide in brahmi has an extremely positive effect on learning and memory recall, as well as on blood circulation and the function of the liver, lungs and kidneys.
• • As medicated oil it is a neuralgic in joint pain. Used as a head rub for headaches and to clear the mind. It is also used as a brain tonic to strengthen the memory and encourage hair growth.
• • It has rare quality of lowering vata and kapha without raising pitta.
• • Brahmi oil restores and preserves the memory. In India, it is given to the infants to boost memory power intelligence

Other Uses

• • Brahmi is rich in Vitamin C and can be used in the salads, soups and sandwiches.