Brahmi (Whole)
Botanical name: (Bacopa monnieri)
Also Known As: Puli, Kolpuli, or Jalnaveri
Brahmi is a perennial creeping herb with crinkled leaves and white flowers related to spinach and snapdragons. The tops of the plant are used in herbal medicine. An important herb in ayurvedic medicine, brahmi is closely related to an herb with similar medicinal properties, gotu kola. Of all Indian herbal therapies, brahmi has been established as a powerful nerve and brain tonic. It is the main revitalizing herb for the nerves and the brain cells. It has a reputation for increasing intelligence, longevity, and circulation in the brain, improving both short—term and long—term memory, and decreasing senility and aging.
Benefits of brahmi for specific health conditions include Alzheimer's disease, attention deficit disorder (ADD), memory problems, and Parkinson's disease. Brahmi is useful in treating a variety of conditions that involve impaired mental capacity. Laboratory studies indicate that brahmi improves intellectual function primarily by balancing the chemicals gamma—aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate in the brain. This allows the orderly firing of nerve cells involved in verbal memory and symbol recognition.
Many studies have found that brahmi produces faster performance times, reduces errors, improves acquisition and retention of learning, decreases forgetfulness, and increases the ability to adapt to new learning.
Brahmi has the additional benefit of minimizing the production of inflammatory chemicals that interfere with circulation in the brain. Because of the herb's calming effect—which does not interfere with normal physical activities—it has become the herb of choice for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Brahmi also acts as an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the brain, protecting the linings of cells in the brain from the action of toxic free radicals.
Anxiety disorder and stress are soothed with Brahmi since it induces a sense of calm and peace. It helps reduce the restlessness and distraction that nervousness causes. Brahmi is ideal for those who spend time in stressful work or study environments. Brahmi can be used to make tea, infused in oil to make an excellent massage oil or can be tinctured.
Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration, and this product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. We at eSutras do not recommend internal use of supplements or herbs without prior consultation with your doctor or herbalist.
