- Botanical Name : Bacopa Monniera
- Family Name : Scrophulariaceae
- Common Name : Herpestis Monnieria, Thyme Leaved Gratiola, Brahmi
- Part Used : Whole Plant
- Habitat : Grows in marshy places and cultivated south
Uses : It is diuretic, cardiac, nervine and tonic. It is reported to improve intellect, treatment of asthma, hoarseness, insanity, epilepsy. It is a potent nervous tonic and is anti anxiety agent. It is considered good for heart. It helps protect the stomach from ulcer formation. It is promising blood purifier and useful in diarrhea and fevers.
Description
Perennial ground cover to 10cm high, with sprawling stems that may root, as they grow along the soil. Fleshy, oval shaped leaves 1-2cm long, form opposite along the stems. 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.Propagate by seed, cuttings and by root division. Although brahmi is considered a bog plant that likes wet spots, we have found on our herb farm that it will grow in pots, or in the garden in shade, or even full sun (provided ample water is provided in dry spells as it is a shallow rooting plant). Fertilise plants regularly with seaweed or other organic fertiliser. Plants can be grown in hanging pots and as the stems cascade over the sides, they are easily nipped off for use. Brahmi is frost tender and I suggest when grown in cold climates, it could be grown in a large pot or styrofoam box and moved to a warm, sheltered position in winter. Note: brahmi is not Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) although some reference books may say that gotu kola is called brahmi in Sanskrit. Both brahmi and gotu kola are esteemed Ayurvedic herbs.
Medicinal Uses
Brahmi has been used in traditional Indian medicine for over 3000 years. It has been used to treat conditions such as: bronchitis, coughs, asthma, hoarseness, arthritis, allergies, rheumatism, inflammatory conditions, fluid retention, backache, chronic skin conditions, high cholesterol levels, constipation, hair loss, boils, ulcers, fevers, digestive problems, epileptic fits, depression including post natal depression, diarrhea, impotence, premature ejaculation, irritable bowel syndrome, frigidity, irregular menstruation, mental and physical fatigue, exhaustion, restlessness, insomnia and over active mind, mental deterioration of the elderly, forgetfulness, confused and cloudy thoughts, anxiety, ADD, stress, hysteria, nervous breakdown, insanity and to improve circulation, strengthen capillaries and stimulate hair, skin and nail growth. Brahmi has been valued as a cardiac, nerve and brain tonic and widely used by students for improving mental clarity, confidence, intelligence, concentration and memory recall. Brahmi as herbal supplements and tablets have been marketed for super learning, for memory and as a brain tonic. In 1963 research on the brahmi plant identified 2 active molecules: Bacoside A that assists in the release of nitric oxide allowing relaxation of the aorta and veins and blood to flow more smoothly through the body and aids circulation; and Bacoside B, a protein valued for nourishing nerve cells in the brain.
In 1993, when the Central Drug Research of India (CDRI) began extensive research of their rich herbal treasures to source active ingredients for modern therapeutic uses, they started clinical trials with brahmi on human volunteers. No adverse effects were recorded. The CDRI presented their research findings to numerous international brain research conferences.
In May 1996 the Royal Society of British Science published a paper on nitric oxide, calling it the marvel of the decade. The article explained 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. Research is also being done on the use of nitric oxide to treat stroke and Alzheimer’s sufferers. In 1998 the Nobel Prize for medicine was awarded to three pharmacologists for their discovery that nitric oxide, in its natural form, has powerful potential as a messenger molecule in the body. A recent scientific study showed that brahmi has potent antioxidant properties, which is, no doubt, why it was also revered in