Brahmi tea that is made by brewing Brahmi leaves helps to manage cold, chest congestion, and bronchitis by clearing out the mucus from the air passages which helps ease breathing. It also reduces pain and inflammation in the throat and respiratory tract due to its anti-inflammatory property. Taking Brahmi powder along with milk helps improve brain functions by preventing brain cell damage caused by free radicals due to its antioxidant property.It is used as a memory enhancer and brain tonic for kids due to its property to improve cognition.
Applying Brahmi oil to the scalp helps prevent hair loss as it nourishes and provides strength to the hair. It also disinfects the skin and speeds up the healing process when applied externally.
Excessive intake of Brahmi should be avoided as it may cause nausea and dry mouth.
What are the synonyms of Brahmi?
Bacopa
Monnieri, Babies tear, Bacopa, Herpestis monniera, Water hyssop, Sambarenu.
What is the source of Brahmi?
Plant-Based
BENEFITS
OF BRAHMI
Benefits of Brahmi according to Ayurvedic view |
Benefits of Brahmi according to modern science
view |
|
Age-related memory loss - Brahmi helps in
managing age-related memory loss when used on a regular basis. According to
Ayurveda, the nervous system is controlled by Vata. An imbalance of Vata
leads to weak memory or poor mental alertness. Brahmi is useful to enhance
memory and gives instant mental alertness. This is due to its Vata balancing
and Medhya (improve intelligence) properties. |
Age-related memory loss - Brahmi may be
useful in managing age-related memory loss due to the presence of
antioxidants. It may reduce the damage caused because of free radicals and
enhance learning and retaining potential in older people. Brahmi may also be
useful in reducing the accumulation of a protein responsible for Alzheimer’s
disease. |
|
Anxiety - Brahmi is
useful to manage the symptoms of anxiety. According to Ayurveda, Vata governs
all the movement and actions of the body and nervous system respectively.
Anxiety is mainly due to Vata imbalance. Brahmi helps to balance Vata and
gives a calming effect on the nervous system. |
Anxiety - Brahmi may be
useful in managing anxiety due to its anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) property. It
may reduce the symptoms of anxiety and mental fatigue while increasing memory
span. Brahmi may also prevent neuroinflammation (inflammation of the nervous
tissue) which is responsible for anxiety. |
|
Epilepsy/Seizures - Brahmi helps to
manage the symptoms of epilepsy. In Ayurveda, epilepsy is termed as Apasmara.
Epileptic patients experience episodes of seizures. A seizure is due to an
abnormal electrical activity in the brain leading to uncontrollable and rapid
body movements. This might even lead to unconsciousness. Epilepsy involves
all the three doshas-Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Brahmi helps to balance all the
three doshas and reduces the episodes of seizures. Brahmi also helps to
maintain healthy brain function because of Medhya (improve intelligence)
property. |
Epilepsy/Seizures - Brahmi is rich
in antioxidants that protect the brain cells. During an epileptic attack,
production and activity of certain genes and their proteins gets reduced.
Brahmi stimulates these genes, proteins and pathways thereby reversing the
probable cause and effects of epilepsy. |
|
Depression - Brahmi helps to reduce the
symptoms of mental illness like anxiety and depression. According to Ayurveda
the nervous system is controlled by Vata and imbalance of Vata causes mental
illness. Brahmi helps in balancing Vata and controlling the symptoms of
mental illness. Brahmi also maintains healthy brain function because of its
Medhya (improve intelligence) property. |
Depression - Brahmi has
neuroprotective, anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) and antidepressant properties.
These properties may be useful in managing mental illnesses like anxiety,
depression and insanity. Brahmi may be useful in promoting mental health,
intellect and improving memory. |
|
Asthma - Brahmi helps to reduce the
symptoms of asthma. According to Ayurveda, the main doshas involved in asthma
are Vata and Kapha. The vitiated ‘Vata’ combines with deranged ‘Kapha dosha’
in the lungs causing obstruction in the respiratory passage. This results in
difficulty in the breath. This condition is known as Swas Roga or Asthma.
Brahmi helps to calm Vata-Kapha and removes excess mucus from the lungs. This
gives relief from the symptoms of asthma. |
Asthma - Brahmi may be useful in managing
asthma due to its antiasthmatic property. It relaxes the respiratory tract
and also helps to manage allergic conditions. |
|
Headache - A massage with the paste of
Brahmi leaves or its oil on the head helps to reduce headache especially that
starts in your temples and spreads to the central part of your head. This is
because of Sita (cold) potency of Brahmi. It helps to remove Pitta
aggravating factors and reduces headache. |
Improving sexual performance - Brahmi may be useful in managing certain sexual problems. In
males, it improves sperm quality and sperm concentration. In females, it may
be useful in managing infertility. Brahmi may also stimulate sex drive. |
|
Hair loss - Brahmi oil helps to control
hair fall and promote hair growth when applied to the scalp. This is because
hair fall is mainly due to an aggravated Vata dosha in the body. Brahmi oil
acts on hair fall by balancing Vata dosha. It also helps remove excessive dryness.
This is due to its Snigdha (oily) and Ropan (healing) properties. |
Pain relief - Brahmi may be
useful in managing chronic pains due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory
properties. It may also be useful in managing pain caused due to nerve damage
or injury. Brahmi blocks the detection of pain by nerve cells thereby
reducing pain. |
|
Sunburn - Brahmi is
useful for fighting against sunburn. According to Ayurveda, Sunburn occurs
due to the aggravation of Pitta dosha because of continuous exposure to the
sun. Applying Brahmi oil gives an excellent cooling effect and reduces
burning sensation. |
Hoarseness of voice - Although enough
scientific evidence is not available, in traditional medicine, Brahmi may be
useful in managing hoarseness of voice. |
|
Irritable bowel syndrome - Brahmi has the property of managing intestinal spasms. It may
provide temporary relief from the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),
however, it does not treat IBS permanently. |
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
ü Can Brahmi and Ashwagandha is taken together?
ü Can Brahmi be taken with milk?
ü Can I take Brahmi on an empty
stomach?
ü How effective is Brahmi?
ü Is Brahmi good for hair?
ü What are the benefits of Brahmi
for Age-related memory loss?
ü What are the benefits of Brahmi
for Anxiety?
ü What are the benefits of Brahmi
for Asthma?
ü What are the benefits of Brahmi
for Depression?
ü What are the benefits of Brahmi
for Epilepsy/Seizures?
ü What are the benefits of Brahmi
for Hoarseness of voice?
ü What are the benefits of Brahmi
for improving sexual performance?
ü What are the benefits of Brahmi
for Irritable bowel syndrome?
ü What are the benefits of Brahmi
for Pain relief?
ü What are the chemical
constituents of Brahmi?
ü What are the various forms of
Brahmi that are available in the market?
REFERENCES
1.
Sudharani
DK, Krishna L, Deval K, et.al.Pharmacological profiles of Bacopa monnieri: A
review.Int. J. Pharm.2011;1(1):15-23.
2.
Sebastian
P.Ayurvedic Medicine- The Principles of Traditional Practice. Singing
dragon.2013:149-150.
3.
Williams
R, Münch G, Gyengesi E, et.al.Bacopa monnieri (L.) exerts anti-inflammatory
effects on cells of the innate immune system in vitro.Food Funct. 2014.
Disclaimer
The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional. This content was also taken and inspired by 1mg.com.