16 Amazing Health Benefits Of Brahmi!

Brahmi or Bacopa monnieri is a medicinal herb used in India by Ayurvedic practitioners. It has soft stems which bear bright green oval leaves and small white flowers. It grows in damp areas and marshy lands.

Health Benefits of Brahmi

1. Powerful Antioxidant:

Brahmi leaves contain proteins which are good antioxidants. [1]

Antioxidants protect against cell damage caused by free radicals, known as oxidative stress. [2] Oxidative stress has been linked to diseases of heart, cancer, arthritis, stroke, respiratory diseases, immune deficiency, other inflammatory conditions, etc.

Thus, Brahmi protects us from a variety of diseases of different organ systems.

2. Reduces Anxiety & Stress:

Too much anxiety, fear and stress for a prolonged time can drastically affect our physical and mental health. It can lead to several anxiety disorders like panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.

Brahmi is used as a nerve tonic by Ayurvedic practitioners for since long. Consumption of Brahmi syrup was found to be effective in reducing the level of anxiety and associated symptoms. [3]

Brahmi is also found to significantly reduce stress levels. [4]

Read More: 7 Different Relaxation Techniques That Help Fight Stress

3. It May have an Anti-Inflammatory benefit:

Inflammation is our body’s natural response to fight external diseases which may have entered. Sometimes, cases of chronic inflammation may be linked to serious diseases like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. One of the benefits of Brahmi is that it could prove to have anti-inflammatory qualities.

There have been studies done in test tubes and on animals that reveal Brahmi’s efficiency in stopping the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and restricting enzymes which play an important role in facilitating inflammation respectively.

4. Memory Booster:

Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease associated with loss of memory.

Brahmi was found to be neuro-protective and effective in Alzheimer’s disease and other diseases with cognitive impairment. [5]

Brahmi improves our brain functioning and enhances both short-term and long-term memory. [6]

5. It May have an Anti-Inflammatory benefit:

Inflammation is our body’s natural response to fight external diseases which may have entered. Sometimes, cases of chronic inflammation may be linked to serious diseases like diabetes, cancer and heart disease. One of the benefits of Brahmi is that it could prove to have anti-inflammatory qualities.

There have been studies done in test tubes and on animals that reveal Brahmi’s efficiency in stopping the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and restricting enzymes which play an important role in facilitating inflammation respectively. 

6. Treatment of Insomnia:

Sleep is extremely essential for physical and mental relaxation and rejuvenates us. The fast-paced life, stress, unhealthy eating and sleeping habits disturb our sleep pattern, leading to insomnia and other sleep disorders.

Consumption of Brahmi calms us. It effectively reduces stress and anxiety. Brahmi at bedtime induces sleep and is helpful in insomnia. [7]

In my experience, I have observed that Brahmi has shown potential in relaxing cardiac and smooth muscles. This relaxing effect is thought to be mediated by the accumulation of calcium ions outside the cells.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S M.D (Ayu)

7. Reduces Blood Pressure:

Stress and unhealthy eating habits lead to a rise in cases of high blood pressure or hypertension. Such patients are further susceptible to heart diseases, stroke, congestive heart failure, etc.

Brahmi is found to reduce blood pressure. [8]

Read More: 7 Foods to Lower Blood Pressure

8. It may help lessen ADHD symptoms:

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopment disorder that shows characteristics like hyperactivity, impulsiveness, etc. Some research studies show that one of the health benefits of Brahmi may include reducing ADHD symptoms.

One study showed that 225mg of Brahmi for 6 months straight reduced certain habits like restlessness, inattention, etc. Another research revealed that a blend of Brahmi helped improve attention and cognitive skills. Although these studies were done on a small scale, the results are promising and only more large-scale studies can tell us for sure.

9. Good for our Hair:

Brahmi is a usual constituent of hair oil as it nourishes the hair roots, strengthens the hair and prevents dandruff. [9]

Read More: 5 Home Remedies for Dandruff

10. Helps in the Treatment of Diabetes:

Brahmi was found to be effective in the management of diabetes mellitus. [10]

11. Anti-epileptic:

Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain with learning, cognitive and memory impairments.

Brahmi is neuro-protective and effectively enhances mental performance, concentration, alertness and memory. [11]

Degeneration of brain-regional nerve cells is a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD), a slowly progressing, degenerative condition. PD is believed to be modulated by Brahmi. Studies suggest the extract may reduce oxidative stress and cell death. In my experience, it may improve behavioural insufficiencies.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

12. Wound Healing:

Bacosides present in Brahmi accelerate wound healing. [12]

13. Intelligence Booster:

Brahmi is a wonder herb known to enhance intelligence. [13]

It increases alertness and concentration. It also improves memory.

14. Analgesic & Antipyretic:

Consumption of Brahmi brings down temperature, thus reducing fever and also giving relief from pain. [14]

15. Useful for Asthmatics:

Brahmi possesses relaxant properties.

It is known to cause bronchodilation, thus helping patients with asthma to breathe better. [15]

Some People May Experience Side Effects Like:

• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Drowsiness
• Diarrhoea
• Stomach cramps

Some other point to keep in mind while consuming Brahmi is that it is not recommended for pregnant women. This is so as there is no study or evidence telling us that it is safe to use during pregnancy. Moreover, if you are taking any prior medications, make sure to consult your doctor before consuming Brahmi, as it tends to interact with certain kinds of medicines.

Some Common Names of Brahmi are:

• Bacopa
• Bacopa monniera
• Herb of Grace
• Herpestis monniera
• Indian Pennywort
• Jalanimba
• Jalnaveri
• Nira-Brahmi
• Thyme-Leave Gratiola
• WaterHyssop

Read More: 8 Health Benefits of Shilajit 

How to use Brahmi

You can find it readily available online or in health food shops. Studies reveal that a human should typically take around 300-450mg per day. Brahmi can be found in capsules and powder form. You can mix the powder with hot water to make a cup of tea, or even mix it with ghee to make a herbal drink of sorts.

Nonetheless, it is best advised to speak to a qualified medical professional regarding dosage and also whether the usage of Brahmi is safe for you.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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