Complete Guide to Benefits of Bacopa Monnieri
Bacopa Monnieri is a plant that has been used for its medicinal properties for thousands of years. It’s native to India, where it’s also known as Brahmi, and it has recently become quite popular in the Western world as a supplement or nootropic.
In this article, we look at what Bacopa Monnieri is and its benefits. You’ll learn about the different types of available, where to buy it, the best way to consume it, and which other herbs can it be paired with.
What is Bacopa Monnieri?
Bacopa Monnieri is a creeping herb that has a long history of medicinal use in Ayurvedic medicine. It is also known as Brahmi in traditional Ayurveda. It is native to the wetlands of southern Asia, where it grows in standing water. It is often cultivated in aqua farms, and it is also used as a natural pesticide.
Bacopa Monnieri has many different active ingredients, including alkaloids, saponins, phenylpropanoids, and anthocyanins, and it has shown promise as a natural treatment for anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders.
Characteristics of the Bacopa Monnieri plant
The Bacopa plant grows to be between 3 and 4 feet tall and has green-coloured leaves. It is a creeping herb that grows in wet soil and water and is native to India, Australia, China, and Southeast Asia. The leaves are used to make herbal supplements and are often used dried or fresh.
The leaves also contain stigmata and are used to make a tea that is known to improve memory and as an anti-anxiety and anti-depressant. The plant also produces white or pink flowers that can be used in some Indian and Chinese dishes. Bacopa is known to be a soothing and calming herb with anti-inflammatory properties which can also be used as an essential oil or ointment.
Bacopa Monnieri and Brahmi - How are they related?
Brahmi is the Sanskrit name for Bacopa Monnieri. Brahmi has been used for medicinal and Ayurvedic purposes for thousands of years and is now also used in Western herbalism. People often get confused when it comes to understanding the difference between the two. A look at the etymology of the word can help understand the correlation.
The word Brahmi is derived from the Vedic Sanskrit word Brahma, which signifies the greatness and energy of the universe. The term Brahmi is used to describe two herbal plants - Bacopa Monnieri and Centella Asiatica, both of which are thought to promote awareness as per Ayurveda.
Since the term is used to describe two different herbs in Ayurveda that are used for the same purpose of enhancing the nervous system, it adds to the confusion. The etymology is also based on geography since Centella Asiatica is referred to as Brahmi in northern India, while Brahmi refers to Bacopa Monnieri in southern India.
While the name Brahmi refers to two different plants entirely, Hesh refers to Bacopa Monnieri as Brahmi. All products containing “Brahmi” at our store contain the herb Bacopa Monnieri - a 100% natural and botanical herb grown in India.
Importance and uses of Bacopa in Ayurveda
Bacopa has been used in Ayurvedic medicine as an anti-anxiety and anti-depressant herb. Ayurveda provides the following specifications for Bacopa Monnieri:
Rasa (taste): Sweet and bitter
Vipaka (post-digestion taste): Sweet
Virya (action): Cooling
Ayurveda believes that Bacopa is a tridoshic plant, having a balancing effect on vata, kapha, as well as pitta doshas. It is thought to be particularly useful to balance the excessive heat produced in the blood and body, known as pitta dosha. The sweet Rasa of Bacopa soothes pitta, resulting in cooling and rejuvenating action in the body.
Modern research and studies on Bacopa Monnieri
Bacopa has been used for many years as an Ayurvedic herbal supplement for improving memory and concentration, with many scientific studies determining its efficacy.
- Bacopa can help with improvement in some aspects of cognitive functions in geriatric patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease - www.iomcworld.org/abstract/effect-of-bacopa-monnieri-on-cognitive-functions-in-alzheimers-disease-patients-18564.html
- Brahmi is a potent antioxidant that in higher concentrations enhances the rate of oxidation. “Bacopa monniera Linn. as an antioxidant: mechanism of action” - https://europepmc.org/article/med/8792640
- Bacopa Monniera may improve higher order cognitive processes that are critically dependent on the input of information from our environment such as learning and memory. “The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa Monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function…” - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s002130100815
- Bacopa Monniera can improve the performance in various learning situations. “Effect of Bacopa monniera Linn. (Brāhmi) extract on...” - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0378874182900447
- Bacopa Monniera possesses significant anti-inflammatory activity that may well be relevant for its effectiveness in the healing of various inflammatory conditions. “Anti-inflammatory activity of Bacopa Monniera in rodents” - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874105007038
Uses and Benefits of Bacopa Monnieri
There are a number of benefits associated with taking Bacopa Monnieri. Here are some of them:
- Better Focus and Sleep - Bacopa acts as an excellent adaptogen, helping the body adapt to stress.[1] This may improve the focus and alertness of mind during the day, and induce sound and continuous sleep at night.
- Strengthen Intellect and Memory - Ayurveda holds Bacopa in high regard when it comes to the health of the nervous system. It has been used for centuries to increase mental fortitude and neural strength.
- Lower Anxiety - Ayurveda says that Bacopa has soothing effects on the brain, which may help ease symptoms of anxiety and stress and induce a general feeling of calmness and mental well-being.[2]
- Stronger Cognitive Function - Bacopa helps build strength in the brain and nervous system, which may aid in developing stronger cognition and awareness throughout the day and help increase performance in tasks that require mental strength and alertness. It also increases mental cognition and helps memory. [3]
- Healthier Hair and Skin - Brahmi oil has been used for centuries with the aim of reducing dryness, flakiness, and itchiness in the skin and scalp. Ayurveda also advocates its use to boost hair growth and reduce hair fall.
Traditional use of Brahmi Oil for Hair Loss
Brahmi Oil contains many nutrients, vitamins, and minerals such as vitamins B, C, E, and Zinc that are beneficial for skin and hair health. It’s a great Ayurvedic herbal oil used for hair loss and hair growth and promotes healthy hair growth. Brahmi Oil is also known to be beneficial for dry and mature skin.
Brahmi oil may help hair that is weak and brittle as it is rich in essential fatty acids. It could nourish the scalp and hair and is used as a natural hair growth stimulant which is great for those with thinning hair.
Brahmi oil can be applied directly to the scalp and hair once a week or daily after washing the hair. It can also be used as a hair and scalp massage oil to reduce stress and anxiety.
Traditional use of Brahmi for Skin
Brahmi has been traditionally used for skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. It is also used to treat dark spots and hyperpigmentation. In addition, it may be used to treat skin inflammation in people with rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis, as it possesses anti-inflammatory properties.[4] It may also help prevent wrinkles and ageing by reducing inflammation.
It is thought that Brahmi may work by increasing the production of collagen in the skin. Collagen is a type of protein that makes up the connective tissue in the body. It is important for healthy skin because it helps the skin cells grow and repair the damage. Collagen also keeps wounds from becoming infected, which is especially important for areas like your face that are more prone to infection.
Brahmi can be taken internally or applied topically to the skin for healing purposes. It can be consumed orally in capsule form or brewed as a tea. For external use, it can be applied topically as a cream or salve. The plant can be dried and crushed into a powder form, which can then be mixed with other ingredients to create a paste or ointment that can be applied to the skin as needed.
Traditional use of Bacopa for Brain Health
Bacopa Monnieri has been used for centuries for its cognitive and nervous system-supporting properties. In India, it was traditionally used to support memory, cognition, and mood. It is also being researched as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other cognitive disorders.[5]
One of the main reasons why Bacopa Monnieri is so popular is that it has been shown to improve learning, memory, and concentration. In one study, participants who took Bacopa Monnieri were able to remember significantly more information than those who took a placebo.[6] There are also some preliminary studies showing that Bacopa Monnieri can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Its potential for treating cognitive decline is especially important because it might be able to offset some of the negative effects of ageing on the brain. It’s also thought that Bacopa could protect against Alzheimer’s disease by reducing oxidative damage in the brain.
Can you take Bacopa and Ashwagandha together?
Ashwagandha is another Ayurvedic herb that is often combined with Bacopa. It has been used for thousands of years to treat anxiety, insomnia, and stress. Ashwagandha may also help improve cognitive function, attention, and focus.
These two Ayurvedic herbs can be taken together as a combination supplement to reduce anxiety and stress, and promote healthy sleep. They can also be taken as a nootropic supplement to improve cognitive function and focus.
How to Take Bacopa Monnieri as a Supplement
The recommended dosage for Bacopa Monnieri depends on your age and the reason for taking the supplement. If you’re using Bacopa Monnieri as a nootropic, you should take it on a regular basis and throughout the day to ensure that you get the most benefit from it.
It is important to remember that Bacopa Monnieri is not a quick fix and that it can take time to see results. While it may improve your cognitive function, it will not turn you into a genius overnight. Bacopa Monnieri has a long half-life, so it stays in your system for a long time. Bacopa Monnieri can be taken in capsule form or as a capsule.
Bacopa Powder - Traditionally, Bacopa has been taken in powdered form orally. Hesh’s Brahmi powder contains the herb in powdered form. This powder is also known as churna. You can take two teaspoons once a day, after a meal with milk or water in the morning.
Bacopa Capsules - For those who like the convenience of a capsule over powder, you can choose Brahmi Vegan Capsules offered by Hesh. Our capsules contain 100% pure and natural Bacopa Monnieri extracts.
Bacopa Oil - For application on the hair or skin, you can use the powder to prepare Brahmi oil. Mix one teaspoon of our Brahmi powder with 20 ml of Seasame seed oil or coconut oil. Apply the mixture to your hair or skin once a day for the best results.
Safety and side effects of Bacopa Monnieri
Ayurveda has used Bacopa for thousands of years, and it is generally beneficial and safe for intake. However, Bacopa has a cooling effect on the body, which may result in the Vata dosha if used excessively. Like any supplement, Bacopa Monnieri has the potential to cause side effects in some people. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
Bacopa Monnieri can interact with other medications, and there may be an increased risk of side effects if you take it with other drugs. If you are taking any drug or medication, it is important to consult your GP before using Bacopa. We do not recommend Bacopa to women who are pregnant or lactating. Bacopa Monnieri is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
