Bacopa Monniera, also known as Brahmi, is a small, creeping herb with light purple flowers. It grows prolifically in wet soil, shallow water and marshes in India and the Tropics. For centuries it has been used as a "brain tonic" to enhance memory and concentration as well as providing positive benefits for sufferers of epilepsy and anxiety. For over a thousand years it has played an important part in the tradition of Ayurveda, a system of Indian folk medicine. Western researchers have focused on Bacopa's cognitive benefits – specifically its ability to improve memory, learning and concentration.
Bacopa monnieri is used to aid learning and memory, and for anxiety, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), allergic conditions, and irritable bowel syndrome. People also take bacopa to treat backache, hoarseness, mental illness, epilepsy, joint pain, and impotence. It is also sometimes used as a "nerve tonic," "heart tonic," and as a "water pill."
The active constituents that have been identified in Bacopa Monniera include the alkaloids Brahmine and herpestine, saponins d-mannitol and hersaponin, acid A, monnierin, betulic acid, stigmastarol, beta-sitosterol. All of these are believed to be responsible for the pharmacological benefits of bacopa. Bacosides are the compounds that researchers believe are responsible for it's cognitive effects.
Be careful not to confuse Bacopa monnieri (brahmi) with gotu kola, ginkgo biloba and other natural medicines that are also sometimes called brahmi or bacopa.
Effect as a Memory Enhancer: Recent research has confirmed what practitioners of Ayurveda have known for over a thousand years – that Bacopa Monniera significantly enhances memory. This is especially true in children.
Effect on Central Nervous System: Researchers believe that bacopa has the ability to stimulate gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an amino acid that occurs in the central nervous system and that is associated with transmission of inhibitory nerve impulses. This enhanced ability to synthesize GABA leads to improved acquisition, memory and adaptation to new conditions.
Effect on Epilepsy and Anxiety: Bacopa has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine as a remedy for epilepsy. Western studies have shown that it does, indeed, have an anticonvulsant effect when administered at high doses. The supplementation with bacopa extract has also led to significant decreases in anxiety symptoms, levels of anxiety, levels of disability and mental fatigue. Significantly, these benefits occurred in the absence of the amnesiac side effects associated with many popular anxiety related drugs (i.e Lorazepam). On the contrary, memory enhancement was achieved.
Effect on Alzheimer's: By inhibiting the breakdown of the enzyme cholinesterase, a key nuerotransmitter which fails in cases of Alzheimer's and dementia, Bacopa has the potential to positively affect sufferers of these conditions.
Effects on Bronchitis and Asthma: Bacopa has been shown to have a relaxant effect on chemically induced bronchoconstriction. Animal studies have also demonstrated that Bacopa has potent mast cell stabilizing ability with a resultant potential to control asthma and allergies. Human trials are needed to confirm these potential benefits.
Effect on Cancer: In vitro research points to some exciting benefits for cancer patients. It has been demonstrated that Bacopa saponin fractions have cytotoxic activity for sarcoma-180 cells. Researchers believe this is due to bacopa's ability to inhibit DNA replication in the cancerous cell line.
Other Benefits: Bacopa extracts have shown potential to inhibit calcium flux across cell membrane channels. This suggests that Bacopa can provide relief for those who suffer from conditions resulting from intestinal spasm, such as irritable bowel syndrome. Bacopa may have a curative effect upon gastric ulcers. Taken in high doses Bacopa has a stimulatory effect upon thyroid function, thus benefiting suffers of hypothyroidism. Bacopa extracts also have potential to diminish the side effects of certain drugs, including morphine and phenytoin.
Historically in India the leaves of the Bacopa Monniera plant were used to treat skin conditions, anemia, sprains, fractures, diabetes, hemorrhoids, and asthma as well as cough and rheumatism. The plant was also used to increase fertility and prevent miscarriage.
Bacopa's ability to positively impact upon cognitive ability appears to be due to the enhancement of nerve impulse transmission as a result of the actions of triterpinoid saponins and their bacosides, specifically bacosides A and B. Damaged neurons are repaired by these bacosides due to their ability to enhance kinase activity, neuronal synthesis and restore synaptic activity.
Bacopa extracts have been shown to modulate the expression of certain enzymes involved in generation and reactive oxygen species in the brain.
Bacopa has a relaxant effect upon pulmonary arteries, the aorta, trachea and ileal and bronchial tissue as a result of the inhibition of calcium-ion flux into cell membranes. Its ability to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis and to stabilize lysosomal membrane give it an anti-inflammatory ability. Bacopa also increases serotonin levels. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation.
Bacopa's antioxidants also appear to have a protective effect upon human DNA connective tissue cells (fibroblasts), suggesting that it may have benefits in treating diseases where free radicals are an issue.
Bacopa inhibits the enzyme cholinesterase. Cholineterase breaks down acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter which fails in Alzheimer's patients.
Bacopa is available in various forms. If taken as non-standardised powder, traditional daily doses are in the 5-10 ounce range. Recommended daily infusion rate is 8-16 ml. In syrup form, the recommended dosage is 30 ml per day. As an extract, standardized to 20% bacosides A and B, the recommended dose for adults is 200-400 mg per day in divided doses. For children the daily recommendation is 100-200 mg per day in divided doses.
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
BY MOUTH:
For improving thinking skills: a dosage of 300 mg bacopa extract per day for 12 weeks.
Bacopa has been used for thousands of years and has been tested thoroughly by Western researchers over the last 20 years. To date significant negative side effects have been reported, although some may feel nausea, dry mouth, and fatigue. Bacopa has been seen to react adversely with the phenothiazine family of drugs and, consequently, those using this medication are advised to desist from Bacopa supplementation.
The following reviews have been selected:
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Reason for taking: Cognitive function
Reviewer: 55-64 Female, 1/22/2012 4:26:07 PM
Comment:
My memory capability (of what I see, hear or read) has improved enormously, also my ability to think logically and cope with problems. I believe I suffer from cognitive disfunction, a result of childhood isolation, which has been remedied to a large extent.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Graduate School, October 28, 2011
By
Kyle Kopidlansky
I'm in graduate school so there is constant studying, often with 3-4 exams in a week. Before taking bacopa, I would often find myself grasping at a thought or concept, but having it just out of reach. With so many classes, I thought I would just have to come to terms with forgetting some of the things I had studied.
After taking bacopa for a few weeks, I no longer find myself searching fruitlessly for the relevant information. It comes to me quickly and efficiently. It takes me much less time to take my tests, since I am no longer sitting for 5 minutes to try to think of a single answer. It is a great relief. Sitting there with the information just outside my grasp was so frustrating. My grades are higher now because of this, I hope it continues to help in the weeks to come. I will need it for finals week.
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Reason for taking: Cognitive function
Reviewer: 45-54 Female, 12/20/2010 9:24:09 PM
Comment:
I'd had a bad memory all my life but at about 2 weeks of taking the Brahmi tabs... my memory had improved very noticably. After about 3 months the tabs seemed not to be working any more but was told that's what would happen. Kept on taking them anyway and within a couple of days my memory came good again. Have been taking them ever since almost every day. Maybe missing out on the weekend to give my body a spell from them. Effects of taking these long term aren't known but i don't want to stop taking them because i don't want my memory to go back to what it was.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Bacopa..., October 15, 2011
By
Rob
When I was younger(up to 58 years old) I had a very good memory and was able to focus clearly on work tasks.
Recently now at 61, I started to notice that I was having a problem with remembering events and articles that I would read.
After take this product for two months my memory and attention has improved. Now I can easy recall events and books and articles that I read.
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Reason for taking: Cognitive function
Reviewer: 19-24 Male, 10/9/2010 10:46:32 PM
Comment:
Amazing. I am using this to increase my cognitive function and calm my nerves. What a great anxiolytic. It can make me sort of sleepy sometimes but not as much as a Benzo ie. valium, xanax, klonopin etc... Does not affect my cognitive function badly at this time. I have been on it two days so far. Working great.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent supplement!, November 6, 2011
By
V. Norton (Wisconsin)
This is an excellent product that will deliver a subtle, yet noticeable, improvement in mental clarity and thougt processing within a few weeks of regular use. As a writer, I used to search for words, but now find that they come to mind with no effort.
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4.0 out of 5 stars So far, so good, January 25, 2012
By
Big Daddy "Big Daddy" (New York, NY)
I've been taking this Bacopa product with Rhodiola for about 2 weeks and so far the results are good. I feel more motivated and alert. The best way that I can explain it is that when I wake up I feel like I've already had my cup of coffee. I'm not sure if my memory has improved, which was one of my major reasons for buying this (which is why I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5). I do, however, feel more energized at work, which has made me more productive.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Definite Improvement!, January 21, 2012
By
S. Kelley (Tucson, AZ USA)
I was skeptical at first, but after about a week (1x/day)I started to feel "the fog" lifting. I could actually feel a lot clearer in my thinking and better recall. For quite a while I'd struggle with finding the right word to speak, and that has improved significantly as well. Great results and definitely something I'll continue to use on a regular basis....might even up my daily dosage to 2x/day. I would highly recommend this product!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Memory and Calming, January 20, 2012
By
Roxanne Sumner
I bought this product because it was recommended for Anxiety and Stress Relief. I have found that it works great for that and has a bonus benefit. It also helps with memory! I have been using this for several months. I've been pushing myself with research, working late trying to get everything done. There have been times when I would be on one page, think of something I needed to check next but when I got done with the first page I'd forgotten what was next on my list. That doesn't happen anymore!
Another thing about this product that I love is that the capsules are vegetarian and gluten free. Also the price is right for my budget.
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