Bacopa monnieri
The name, Brahmi, is derived from Brahma, the Vedic God of creation. In Indian mythology, Brahma created the entire universe with his thoughts while in deep meditation. As our thoughts may create both health and disease you can see why a well-functioning mind is so important in Ayurveda. This is where the potency of Brahmi comes into play.
Brahmi is a ground-covering, green-leaved, crawling plant with little white flowers. Brahmi grows in marshes or in wetlands across India, China, Nepal, and even in Florida and Hawaii. It does not need good drainage to flourish and can even grow in an aquarium. Brahmi can also easily be grown in a pot in your herb garden.
Rasa (taste): bitter, sweet
Virya (action): cooling
Vipaka Guna: sweet
Guna: light, flowing
Prabhava: Anti-psychotic, anti-epileptic
Pharmacology: The major phytoconstituent of Brahmi are Bacosides. Bacosides are saponins in nature, which help to repair damaged neurons by enhancing proteins involved in the regeneration of neural-cell synapses in body. The alkali Brahmine resembles strychnine in action but is less toxic. It contains stigma sterol in free state. The active principle, Hersaponin resembles reserpine and chlorpromazine in action
Doshas (constitutions): VPK=, V+ in excess
Ayurvedic Action of Brahmi :
o Vatahara -Calms vata
o Anuloma- Redirects the flow of vata downwards
o Unmadahara- Reduces mental illness
o Pradnya shakti- Increases intellectual power
o Hridya- Heart tonic
o Majjadhatu Rasayana- Rejuvenative, particularly to the nervous system
o Ayushya vardhana- Increases longevity
o Balyam -Gives strength (especially to the mind)
o Jeevaniya -Promotes energy
o Medhya -Nervine
o Nidrajnana- Promotes sleep
o Kushtaghna -Alleviates skin conditions
Common Usage:
Brahmi is one of the Ayurvedic herbs used to help enhance brain function. Its medicinal benefits have been researched through multiple clinical trials in India and America. Brahmi is packed with antioxidants and contains several biochemical compounds that enhance the function of neurotransmitters in the brain. Studies suggest brahmi may help you maintain mental clarity as you age. Brahmi’s ability to stimulate dopamine receptors has been used in the treatment of depression and Parkinson’s disease. Brahmi is also used to help remove toxins from the blood, increase circulation, reduce inflammation and relieve asthma through its bronchiodialating properties. It is also used in Ayurveda to improve thyroid function
Brahmi comes in many different forms and is classically given at doses of 2-6 grams per day. You can find it as a pill, capsule, or dissolved in oil such as ghee (clarified butter). Also can be taken as a powder in warm milk with a pinch of cardamom and a hint of ghee, every morning to help prevent the onset of future memory problems while enhancing mental agility. Any way you take it, you may notice a difference in your brain within a couple of weeks.
References: Banyan Botanicals, Sebastian Pole Ayurvedic