Benefits of Brahmi And Its Side Effects
Last Updated: Aug 20, 2024
A unique Ayurvedic herb, Brahmi also known as Bacopa Monnieri is an ancient plant highly efficient in the prevention and cure of an array of health problems with its herbal curing properties. It is widely known to boost the brain, relax the nervous system and enhance intelligence and memory retaining power. Use of Brahmi as a brain tonic goes as far back as 5000 BC. It is also known to prevent cancer, alleviate stress level and increase the sexual drive of a human body.
Brahmi
The leaves of the Brahmi plant resemble a cerebellum indicating its efficiency in enhancing the cognitive abilities of a human body. Brahmi is a creeper plant growing in wetlands in the wild and is believed to be existing since millions of years the world over. The term Brahmi is a Sanskrit word derived due to its ability to promote sattva meaning pure consciousness. The Brahmi herb has numerous branches growing at altitudes as high as 4400 feet above sea level.
Nutritional Value of Brahmi
Apart from the presence of highly effective organic compounds, Brahmi is also found to be highly rich in alkaloids and triterpene saponins. The leaves of Brahmi are widely used in salads and even chewed raw as a way of consuming vitamin supplements. It is bitter sweet in taste and gives an astringent like cool feeling on chewing.
Nutritional facts Per 1 tbsp
Health Benefits of Brahmi
Enhances cognitive ability
Brahmi is highly efficient in preventing the body from severe cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The herb lowers the stress levels in the brain and promotes creation of fresh neural pathways enhancing the overall cognitive power of the brain. It helps strengthen all aspects of the memory – long term memory, short term memory and the memory retaining capacity of the brain. It helps keep the mind sharp, free and healthy. It tackles problems like shor attention span and hazy memory.
Reduces stress levels
Brahmi has been widely used since forever to overcome and tackle stress related problems. The active ingredients present in Brahmi help reduce the level of cortisol in the body which in turn uplifts the mood. Cortisol is the stress causing hormone to which Brahmi strongly reacts thus blocking its effects. Brahmi induces calm and serenity in the mind and relaxation in the body.
Boosts the immune system
The antioxidant compounds present in Brahmi enhance the body’s efficiency in responding to viruses, pathogens and bacteria. It modulates the immune system and makes it adept at tackling and preventing the body from invasion of any foreign negative features. A lot of diseases and ailments can be kept at bay with a regular intake of Brahmi leaves in the form of salad, soup, raw or by boiling it with tea.
Improves respiratory health
Since ancient times, Brahmi has been widely used for the treatment of congestion, bronchitis, sinuses, blocked nose and chest. It helps clear excess mucus clearing the respiratory tract of any blockage affecting normal breathing. Brahmi also has anti-inflammatory properties.
Cures epilepsy
Owing to its highly efficient ability to create new neural pathways, Brahmi since time immemorial has been used to treat patients suffering from epilepsy. It helps prevent epileptic fits, bipolar disorder and other mental disorders like neuralgia.
Gives healthy skin
Brahmi juice or oil extracted from Brahmi leaves have been proven highly efficient in treating skin infections. The natural oils present in the herb help render clear glowing skin, prevents scarring and help make it smooth and supple.
Alleviates digestion related problems
The anti-inflammatory properties present in the active nutrient of Brahmi help in relieving gastro-intestinal disorders of the body. Brahmi acts as a sedative and soothes disorder like stomach ulcers and inflammation in the belly and gastro-intestinal tract.
Balances blood sugar levels
Brahmi has proven highly efficient for people suffering from diabetes. The herb is believed to increase the blood sugar levels in the body enabling hypoglycemia levels in the body. It is however advisable to consult with a trained medical professional on guidance on the use of Brahmi depending on the type of diabetes in a particular patient if is being used specifically for the cure of diabetes.
As a cure for arthritis
Brahmi has been highly efficient in treating conditions such as arthritis, gout and other conditions that cause and result in inflammation. It is a known cure for bowel syndrome and gastric ulcers.
Rids anxiety
Research suggest that Brahmi is highly efficient in the treatment and prevention of anxiety and other stress related conditions like insomnia, irritability and neuroses.
Protects from toxicity
Brahmi protects the human brain from the carcinogenic effects of acrylamide which is a compound responsible for damaging brain tissue and is found in fried foods. Brahmi has been proven by research to prevent the body from neurotoxic components and oxidative stress.
Renders comfort
Brahmi is highly believed since ancient times to be a stress buster and an instrument that fights discomfort and unease. The herb has also proved its potential in the field of neuropathy.
Uses of Brahmi
Brahmi is widely used to treat anxiety, enhance the body’s cognitive abilities, treat cognitive disorders and render an overall sense of comfort to the body. Also widely considered to be an efficient tool to tackle conditions like cancer, arthritis and Alzheimer’s, Brahmi has been in use since time immemorial as a brain tonic and stress buster. The herb is widely consumed by chewing its raw leaves, crushed leaves in the form of ointments, oils, leaves used in salads, soups and boiled with tea.
Side-Effects & Allergies of Brahmi
There are no fatal side effects known for the use of Brahmi however, it is strongly recommended to not use the herb for a stretch of more than 12 weeks in a row. It is considered to be naturally healing and allergenic however people suffering from asthma, low heart rate and disorders of the urinary tract are advised to not consume Brahmi without consulting with a registered physician.
Cultivation of Brahmi
The growth of the Brahmi herb adapts to a wide range of soils. It grows rapidly in a sprawling pattern at high altitudes above sea level. The leaves that resemble a cerebellum grow out of the nodes of the many branches the plant develops. The herb is a creeper plant that grows not longer than 6 inches in height. It is mostly seen growing in water bodies like canals and marshy areas. Brahmi is essentially an Indian Ayurveda plant.
References
- Aguiar S, Borowski T. Neuropharmacological review of the nootropic herb Bacopa monnieri. Rejuvenation research. 2013 Aug 1;16(4):313-26. [Cited 23 June 2019]. Available from:
- GK S, MS Bharath M. Exploring the role of “Brahmi”(Bacopa monnieri and Centella asiatica) in brain function and therapy. Recent patents on endocrine, metabolic & immune drug discovery. 2011 Jan 1;5(1):33-49. [Cited 23 June 2019]. Available from:
- Gohil KJ, Patel JA. A review on Bacopa monniera: current research and future prospects. International Journal of Green Pharmacy (IJGP). 2010;4(1). [Cited 23 June 2019]. Available from:
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