Brahmi is derived from the word ‘Brahma’. It is a perennial herb which is well-known in Ayurveda for its memory enhancing property. The first clear reference of Brahmi plant is found in Charak Samhita. Another Ayurvedic text, Sushrut Samhita has described Brahmi as efficacious in loss of memory and intellect. It is classified among “Medhya Rasayana” drugs.
The active ingredients of Brahmi are known as bacosides. It has been used for centuries as a memory enhancing, antiepileptic, analgesic, sedative and anti-inflammatory herb.
Medicinal properties of Brahmi are:
Botanical Name: Bacopa monnieri
- Rasa (Taste): Tikta (Bitter)
- Anurasa (Secondary Taste): Kashaya (Astringent)
- Virya (Potency): Sheet (Cold)
- Vipaka (post-digestion taste): Madhura (Sweet)
- Karma (Action): Medhya (intellect promoting), deepanya (stimulates digestion strength), shoth shamak (reduces inflammation), pramehaghan (effective in diabetes), stanya shodhan (breast milk cleansing), stanya janan (increases breast milk)
- Dosha Prabhava (Effect on Doshas): Kapha Pitta Shamak (pacifies Kapha and Pitta doshas).
- Part used: Whole plant
Amazing Health Benefits of Brahmi are:
- Alpamedha (Weak Memory): Brahmi has been utilized extensively as nootropic, digestive stimulant and to improve learning and memory.
- It is recommended as a brain tonic in Ayurveda.
- The Vata dosha balance and and medhya (improving intelligence) properties of brahmi are useful in alpamedha or weak memory.
- According to Ayurveda, the nervous system is controlled by Vata dosha. An imbalance of Vata dosha leads to weak memory and brahmi is a great herb for balancing Vata dosha and improving memory.
- It is used as a brain tonic for kids due to its property of improving cognition.
- Mansik Klam (Mental Fatigue): Brahmi is used as a single drug in Ayurveda for the treatment of mental fatigue and other related conditions.
- It is used as anti-anxiety and decreases mental fatigue as well.
- Brahmi being a calming herb acts as an effective brain tonic that improves mental functioning and reduces mental fatigue.
- Anidra (Sleeplessness): Brahmi herb is known for its ability to support the nervous system and mind. It encourages deep sleep and rejuvenates the nervous system.
- Brahmi is a useful herb for insomnia. It not only promotes restful sleep but also helps in calming down the mind during the periods of emotional turbulence.
- It improves blood circulation and supports the body’s natural healing mechanism by inducing good sleep.
- Manoroga (Psychological Disorders): Brahmi, being a calming herb acts as an effective brain tonic that helps in reducing stress and anxiety by reducing the levels of cortisol and elevating the mood.
- It also prevents neuroinflammation which is responsible for anxiety.
- According to Ayurveda, Vata governs all the movements and action in the body. Anxiety and panic attacks are caused due to the imbalance of Vata dosha.
- Brahmi helps in balancing Vata dosha and provides a calming effect to the nervous system.
- Brahmi has neuroprotective, anxiolytic and anti-depressant properties.
- This herb is also useful in high blood pressure. Being a good anti-oxidant, it protects nerves, heart and blood vessels as well. It acts as a good cardiac tonic.
- Age-related Memory Loss: Brahmi herb is also useful in managing age related memory loss due to the presence of anti-oxidants.
- It reduces the damage caused due to free radicals and also useful in reducing the accumulation of protein which causes Alzhemier’s disease in old people.
- Apasmara (Epilepsy): Brahmi also helps in managing the symptoms of epilepsy. Epileptic patients experience the episodes of seizures.
- According to Ayurveda, epilepsy is caused due to the imbalance of all the three doshas Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
- Brahmi helps in balancing all the three doshas and reduces the episodes of seizures.
- This herb also helps in maintaining healthy brain function.
- Shwas rog (Asthma): The anti-asthmatic property of brahmi is helpful in managing asthma.
- It relaxes the respiratory tract and helps in managing allergic conditions.
- According to Ayurveda, the imbalance of Kapha and Vata doshas lead to asthma. The vitiated Vata dosha combines with deranged Kapha dosha in the lungs and cause obstruction in the respiratory passage.
- It results in difficulty in breathing. Brahmi helps in calming Vata and Kapha doshas and also removes excess mucus from the lungs which gives relief in asthma symptoms.
Thus, brahmi is an excellent drug of choice for mental disorders, weak memory, mental fatigue, depression and other psychotic conditions.
Disclaimer:-
This article is not a substitute to the standard Medical Diagnosis or personalized Ayurvedic Treatment! It is intended only for Information!
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