Medicinal and Health Benefits of Bramhi (Bacopa monieri)

                  

1. Introduction:

It is commonly known as Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), water hyssop (hyrophytic), thyme-leaved creepy growing grace herb; it is a staple or well known plant in traditional natural Indian medicinal (Ayurveda) practice. It grows at hydrophytic and tropical environments, and its ability to survive underwater makes it admired for aquarium purpose. It is an herbal medicinal plant commonly occurs in India.

Bacopa has been used by Ayurveda medical practitioners for centuries for an array of health benefits. Brahmi has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of memory loss, stress, anxiety, seizures, etc. Brahmi may be beneficial in improving and treating certain health related issues like brain function, cancer, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), insomnia, epilepsy, memory loss, and inflammation.

2. Phytochemistry of Bacopa:

Brahmi contains several bioactive compounds like bacosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, sapogenins, and saponins. Such bioactive compounds are supposed to contribute to the herbs capability to enhance cognitive role, reduce stress, and promote health wellness. Bacoside is the most important bioactive component in Brahmi that contributes a crucial role in improving memory and brain functions.

3. 10 different emerging health benefits of Brahmi:

3.1. Boosts brain and cognitive functions:

Brahmi is alos called a "brain tonic" due to its noteworthy effects on cognitive and brain health. According to Ayurveda and ancient studies, Bacopa monnieri may help improve brain functions. For instance, a study conducted on mice showed that supplementing dose with Bacopa enhanced their spatial learning ability and retain information. Bacopa is thought to also improve cognitive function means that how you think, learn, and remember the things. Brahmi found to positively affect the hormone dopamine, securing it from being distant from the brain. Dopamine a compound plays an essential role in several brain regulations such as memory, motivation, reward, and mood. Being a well known antioxidant agent is protecting cells from dying or damaged by cellular oxidative stress. Cell death or free radical synthesis is linked to several brain-associated diseases like Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson’s disease. Several reports have suggested that taking 300-600 mg of Bacopa daily for at least 03 months may enhance cognitive and brain function comprising memory, learning, reaction times, and information processing in healthy persons. For instance, a college student is preparing for their final exams. By taking Brahmi formulation into their daily routine, they can experience enhanced memory recall, better concentration power, and an overall boost in mental health that helping him study proficiently.

3.2. Reduces anxiety and stress:

Bacopa is considered an adaptogenic herb it means that it increases our body’s resistance to stress thereby it may help reduced anxiety and stress. It helps in reducing stress and anxiety by improving our mood and declining levels of cortisol a hormone that is closely associated with stress levels. For instance, two 03 months human investigations found that taking 300 mg of Bacopa monnieri daily significantly prevent and reduces anxiety and depression levels in adults, as compared with placebo control treatment. In another study, it is found that taking 500 mg Bacopa monnieri twice daily for 01 month reduced depression, anxiety, and stress. There is need of more large-scale human studies are to confirm its effects on anxiety and stress. The patients taking Celexa (citalopram) with 300 milligrams of Bacopa twice a day for 01 month found an improvement in symptoms in comparison with those taking citalopram alone.

3.3. Reduces Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms:

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neuro-developmental disorder that is characterized by symptoms like hyperactivity, inattentiveness, and impulsivity. ADHD disorder is a condition often known for causing hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inability to pay attention in children and adults. Interestingly, previous research has suggested that Bacopa monnieri may help reduce ADHD symptoms. A study in 31 children aged ranges 6–12 years found that taking 225 mg of Brahmi extract daily for 6 months significantly declined ADHD symptoms like restlessness, inattention, poor self-control, and impulsivity in 85% of the tested children’s. In another study, in children ranges 6-12 years old found that taking 225 mg of Bacopa daily for six months enhanced attention issues, restlessness, impulsivity, and learning issues. There is a need of more research to understand whether Bacopa is beneficial in ADHD as compared to other generally prescribed medications.

3.4. Lowers (maintain) blood pressure:  

High blood pressure is a severe health issue, as it exerts strain on heart and blood vessels. This can weaken our heart and increase the risk of cardiac disease. Previous research suggests that Bacopa may help sustain blood pressure within a healthy range. Under an animal investigation, Bacopa monnieri maintains both systolic and diastolic blood pressure ranges. Bacopa extract releasing nitric oxide, which helps dilate blood vessels that resulting in enhanced blood flow and lowering blood pressure. A study was conducted in 2020, 69 participants on high blood pressure medication found a Bacopa monnieri herbal supplement lowered blood pressure levels and enhanced nitric oxide levels. A small study found that a combination supplement with Bacopa helped improve blood pressure and heart and blood vessel protection in patients.  

3.5. Source of powerful antioxidants

Antioxidants are compounds that contribute to protect cell damage caused by potentially harmful free radicals. A study reports that damage caused by oxidants is associated to many chronic conditions, like cardiac disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancers. Bacopa monnieri contains potential bioactive compounds like alkaloids and bacosides that may have antioxidant effects. For instance, bacosides, the main bioactive compounds in Bacopa monnieri, have been revealed to neutralize free radicals and avoid fat molecules from reacting with produced free radicals. When fat molecules react with oxidants, they undergo a process called lipid peroxidation. Lipid peroxidation is associated to several situations like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurodegenerative disorders. More studies in humans are needed to better understand the effects of Bacopa on neurodegenerative diseases.  

3.6. Reduces inflammation:

Bacopa is thought to lowers the quantity of molecules and proteins notorious to cause swelling in the body. Bacopa may help in treating rheumatoid arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).  In test-tube studies, Bacopa found to restrain the discharge of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are molecules that encourage an inflammatory immune response. In another study, in test-tube and animal it inhibited enzymes like cyclooxygenases, caspases, and lipoxygenases which are playing key roles in inflammation. Bacopa monnieri had anti-inflammatory activities comparable to those of diclofenac and indomethacin these are two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs commonly used in the treatment of inflammation. There is need of more research to determine whether Bacopa monnieri reduces inflammation in humans.

3.7. Anticancer properties:

Compounds like Bacosides, it is the bioactive class of compounds in Bacopa monnieri, have been shown to kill destructive brain tumor cells and inhibit the growth of brain, breast, and colon cancer cells under test-tube studies. A previous report suggests that the high levels of antioxidants and compounds like bacosides in Bacopa may be accountable for its anticancer properties.

3.8. Treats insomnia:

Bacopa monieri extracts may help in treating insomnia (night asleep) that involves having difficulty falling or staying asleep.

3.9. Anticholinergic effects:

Bacopa extracts may augment the levels of acetylcholine in human body. Acetylcholine is important component for our nervous system and helps open blood vessels, augment saliva secretions, and slow heart rate. Using anticholinergic agents (Ditropan (oxybutynin), Benadryl (diphenhydramine), and atropine) and Bacopa mutually may lower the effectiveness of both drugs.  

4.0. Boosts memory and focus:

Bacopa is especially effective for individuals looking to improve memory retention and focus. Bacopa enhances cognitive mechanisms like concentration, learning, recall, and making it an ideal supplement to focus for long periods. Brahmi aids long-term potentiation (LTP) it is an essential process in memory formation and recall. Bacopa extracts making it easier for individuals to remember new information and stay focused on tasks for longer-times.