Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) – Health Benefits, Uses, Side Effects & Everything You Need to Know

Brahmi, scientifically known as Bacopa monnieri, is a vital herb used to formulate Ayurvedic medicines. It delivers plenty of health benefits that help to revitalize your body and enhance your overall cognitive health.

According to a study, Brahmi is essentially used as an Ayurvedic medicine to manage insomnia and improve memory and concentration. It is used to calm the mind and reduce stress and anxiety. Apart from these benefits, this blog will give detailed information about the benefits, uses, side effects, and more. 

History of Brahmi

Brahmi is a perennial herb native to wetlands. Its flowers are usually white to purple. It belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family and is also known by other names such as Water hyssop, thyme-leafed gratiola, Herpestis monniera, Indian pennywort, and so on. 

As per Hindu mythology, it is also said that the name Brahmi is derived from the "Brahma" which means the "supreme creator." Traditional medicine uses Brahmi for its health benefits related to memory and learning. Its significant use has been mentioned in the Charaka Samhita Sanskrit text based on Ayurveda and its teachings. 

Having been used for 1000s of years in Ayurveda, this herb addresses a variety of health concerns. We will understand its health benefits further in detail.

Ayurvedic Profile of Brahmi

Nutritional Value of Brahmi 

Brahmi is a package of plenty of nutrients. Here are those-

Nutrients	Amount (/100gm)
Moisture	88.4 gm
Protein	2.1 gm
Fat	0.6 gm
Carbohydrates	5.9 gm
Crude Fiber	1.05 gm
Ash	1.9 gm
Calcium	202.0 mg
Phosphorus	16.0 gm
Ascorbic Acid	63.0
Nicotinic acid	0.3
Iron	7.8
Energy	38 cal

Health Benefits of Brahmi 

Brahmi has various health benefits that improve your body and support your mental well-being. This Ayurvedic herb helps address many problems and manages them naturally. Let’s understand the benefits-

1. Improve Mental Health 

According to a study, Brahmi is a memory booster that helps to improve mental and cognitive functioning. It is also known to have positive impacts on Alzheimer's disease, Schizophrenia, and other serious illnesses. 

In Ayurveda, this property of mental clarity is recognized as “medhya rasayana”. It also contains pharmacological benefits that help enhance verbal learning, decrease anxiety, and improve focus and concentration. It keeps your mind calm and betters your decision-making. 

2. Neuroprotective

Brahmi contains neuroprotective properties which help to shield the structure and functioning of the neurons. It helps to reduce the symptoms of ADHD and enhances the attention span of individuals. It also helps manage symptoms of neurological disorders, and neuroinflammation. 

Studies show that the consumption of Brahmi also helps enhance nerve impulse transmission and helps to maintain neurotransmitter balance. It contains therapeutic properties that help to repair any damaged neurons. 

3. Reduce Anxiety and Stress

This Ayurvedic herb has anxiolytic properties that help in reducing stress and anxiety. As per research, the consumption of Brahmi reduces the cortisol response from stress and helps maintain lower stress levels. 

This causes an individual to have better emotional health, improved mood, reduced risk of any serious illnesses or diseases, enhanced brain function, and more.  The study also showed that a daily dose of 450mg for over 12 weeks in healthy adults resulted in decreased anxiety. 

4. Boosts Immunity 

Brahmi is known for containing properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory properties, and more. With all these properties, it helps to reduce the inflammation and supports the process of detoxification in the body.

As per the research study of NCBI, Brahmi and its major constituent Bacoside A, may help the body’s defense mechanism to strengthen. It may help boost immunity naturally by building up antibodies and strengthening immune cells. It may protect against potential diseases and support overall health. 

5. Enhances Sleep Pattern 

The use of Brahmi helps to reduce oxidative stress and enhances brain function. It helps to relax the mind by improving sleep. It also reduces the symptoms of insomnia and gives better sleep.

Consumption of Brahmi as a medicine helps to reduce anxiety which helps you to sleep better and for long hours without any break. It also boosts overall health, making the body much more relaxed and helps to improve sleep quality.

6. Supports Heart Health 

Studies show that Brahmi contains cardioprotective properties which means that it helps in protecting the heart from heart diseases. It may help to regulate blood pressure and support a healthy heart. 

It is also found that the extract may help to increase coronary flow and improve the function of the heart. The consumption of Brahmi also helps to release nitric oxide which helps to promote vasodilation, thereby enhancing the functioning of the overall body. 

7. Reduces Hair Fall

Having constant stress impacts your scalp health along with your sleep and immunity. Chronic stress contributes to the falling of hair and deteriorating scalp health. Brahmi manages stress and indirectly supports in strengthening hair follicles. 

As Brahmi has adaptogenic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, it helps to reduce hair fall, protects hair from oxidative damage, and soothes the scalp for better hair growth. 

Usage of Brahmi for Children

Brahmi is also considered safe for children. According to a study, there was a clinical trial that showed 20 primary school children were given doses of Brahmi and the result was improved concentration, memory, learning skills, and perception without any side effects. 

The consumption of Brahmi in Children (6-12 years) proves to be beneficial as it balances the doshas, enhances intellect, and brain function, and provides neuroprotective effects. It is anti-microbial and anti-ulcer which helps the children to have enhanced immunity. 

Precautions and Side Effects of Brahmi 

Before starting the consumption of Brahmi in your daily routine, having information about precautions and side effects is important. 

Precautions 

• There is no trustworthy information on consuming Brahmi during pregnancy. Therefore, to stay safe, it is recommended to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding to avoid the consumption of Brahmi. 

• Brahmi may slow or reduce the heart rate. Therefore, patients with heart problems should only consume Brahmi on the advice of the doctor.

• This Ayurvedic herb may affect people with thyroiditis negatively. Therefore, one needs to be cautious before consuming.

• Before starting or replacing your medication with Ayurvedic herbs, consulting the doctor is very important. 

Side Effects

Brahmi is an Ayurvedic herb that does not necessarily provide any side effects. However, as per studies, the most common side effects that people have experienced are gastrointestinal issues, nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, and dry mouth. 

If after consumption of any herbs, an individual faces health problems, then visiting the doctor immediately is the solution one should seek! 

Uses and Dosage 

Brahmi is formulated in different forms, such as

• Powder Form: Powder form can be taken with water. 

• Tablets/ Capsules form: Tablets are the easiest form to take and you can also carry them with you. 

• Liquid form: Liquid form such as Brahmi juice can be taken directly. 

Dosage: By Adults, Brahmi should be taken in 200 to 400 gm (5-12 mL) per day and children (6 -12 years) should be given  100-200 gm (2.5-6 mL) per day. But it is always advised to speak to your doctor before taking or giving it to children. 

Conclusion

To sum it up, Brahmi is an Ayurvedic herb that helps to support your health by enhancing cognitive function, boosting your immunity, improving your concentration, and reducing your stress and anxiety. It is a potent herb that plays a vital role in formulating Ayurvedic medicines. 

Brahmi contains plenty of health benefits that may help you in the long run. It naturally supports your overall health by working on the essential functions of the body. So, with this information, we hope that all your queries have been answered. If not, comment us your questions! 

Reference 

Mathur, D., Goyal, K., Koul, V., & Anand, A. (2016). The Molecular Links of Re-Emerging Therapy: A Review of Evidence of Brahmi (Bacopa monniera). Frontiers in Pharmacology, 7, 44. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4778428/

Walker, E. A., & Pellegrini, M. V. (2023). Bacopa monnieri. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589635/

WebMD. (n.d.). Bacopa - Uses, Side Effects, and More. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-761/bacopa

Shendge, Chavan (2022). Ayurveda Perspective On Brahmi W.S.R. To Health Benefits In Children: A Review. In World Journal Of Pharmaceutical And Medical Research. PDF

Gouthami, N.S., Jain, S.K., Jain, N.K., Wadhwan, N., Agrawal, C. and Panwar, N.L., 2023. Exploring the Nutraceutical Effects of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) in Agriculture: Potential Applications and Benefits. Environment and Ecology, 41(4C), pp.2947–2954. https://environmentandecology.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/MS27-Exploring-the-Neutraceutical-Effects-of-Brahmi-.pdf

Dubey,  Chinnathambi, (2019). Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri): An ayurvedic herb against the Alzheimer's disease. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003986119307647