Brahmi Herb Profile

Also known as

Bacopa Monnieri, Water Hyssop, Thyme Leaved Graticola, Moneywort, Rau Dang (Vietnamese)

Introduction

Brahmi is a creeping perennial, native to many parts of world and most frequently found in tropical regions of the Asian continent. It grows in marshy, wet environments and has since migrated to parts of North and Central America, particularly the Florida wetlands. The plant grows small white flowers and has thick leaves that resemble those of a succulent. Brahmi is frequently incorporated into aquariums due to its ability to grow and live in water.

Constituents

The active principle is Hersaponin, which resembles resperpine and chloromazne in its central action.

Parts Used

The whole herb can be used.

Typical Preparations

As a tea, extract, as a culinary additive in certain Asian dishes.

Summary

Brahmi is an important Ayurvedic herb, indicated for a variety of traditional uses. Brahmi has been studied for its ability to support healthy cognitive functionality. In multiple preliminary studies, brahmi extract has been clinically shown to improve learning retention and memory in healthy adults.

References

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=20590480&dopt=Abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=18611150&dopt=Abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12093601&dopt=Abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18683852?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=12

Precautions

None known.