Bacopa Monnieri or Brahmi (also known as water hyssop and thyme-leaved gratiola) has inscribed its place in the field of Ayurveda due to its medicinal properties. Brahmi has been highly applauded by Ayurveda Practitioners due to its multifarious uses, including boosting memory, lessening anxiety, and treating epilepsy. Brahmi is thronged with powerful compounds called bacosides which are responsible for Brahmi benefits.
In this article, we are going to elaborate on Brahmi uses and Brahmi side effects that you should be aware of before consuming it.
10 Miraculous Health Benefits of Brahmi
Here goes the list of 10 amazing benefits of brahmi as mentioned below:
- Loaded with Powerful Antioxidants
- Minimize Inflammation
- Improves Brain Function
- Reduce AHAD Symptoms
- Improves Anxiety and Stress
- Reduces Your Blood Pressure
- Have Anti-Cancer Properties
- Improves Your Immune System
- Gives Relief from Arthritis
- Beauty Benefits
1. Loaded with Powerful Antioxidants
The research claimed that free radicals are responsible for various chronic conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Brahmi is blessed with compounds like bacosides that neutralize free radicals and avert fat molecules from reacting with free radicals.
If fat molecules don’t interact with free radicals, they undergo a process called lipid peroxidation. Lipid peroxidation is responsible for various conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurodegenerative disorders. Brahmi is beneficial in preventing damage caused by this process.
2. Minimize Inflammation
Inflammations are linked to various chronic conditions, including cancer, diabetes, and heart and kidney disease. But Brahmi inhibits the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines that stimulates an inflammatory immune response.
In animal studies, Brahmi hinders enzymes like cyclooxygenases, caspases, and lipoxygenase. All these enzymes play a pivotal role in inflammation and pain. Brahmi has similar anti-inflammatory effects to diclofenac and indomethacin (NSAID drugs used for inflammation).
3. Improves Brain Function
Medical studies have claimed that Brahmi is useful in improving brain function. A study on mice revealed that Brahmi improved their spatial learning and capacity to retain information. The same study also claimed that Brahmi enhanced dendritic length and branching. Dendrites are parts of nerve cells in the brain that are related to learning and memory.
Another study was performed on 60 older adults for 12 weeks. All participants either consumed 300 mg or 600 mg of Brahmi extract daily. At the end of the study, it has been revealed that participants who took Brahmi powder improved memory, attention, and the ability to process information, as compared to those who received a placebo.
4. Reduce AHAD Symptoms
AHAD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that produces symptoms like hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattentiveness. Research has proved that Brahmi helps in reducing the symptoms of AHAD.
A study was performed on 31 children who consumed 225 mg of Brahmi for 6 months significantly. The study revealed Brahmi lessened ADHD symptoms, such as restlessness, poor self-control, inattention, and impulsivity in 85% of the children. But more large-scale studies are required to establish the claim.
5. Improves Anxiety and Stress
Brahmi is beneficial in preventing anxiety and stress. This enhances your body’s resistance to stress. Brahmi can elevate your mood and minimize the levels of cortisol (a stress hormone).
Brahmi also has anti-anxiety effects which are similar to lorazepam (benzodiazepine, prescribed medicine for anxiety). A medical study claimed that taking 300 mg of Brahmi daily astonishingly reduced anxiety and depression in adults as compared to adults who received placebo treatment. But more studies are required to establish the claim.
6. Reduces Your Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is responsible for heart disease. But researchers have claimed that Brahmi minimizes your blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic). Brahmi releases nitric oxide that dilates blood vessels. As a result, your blood pressure also gets reduced. A study on rats has revealed that Brahmi reduced blood pressure levels.
7. Have Anti-Cancer Properties
In test-tube studies, bacosides in Brahmi kill brain tumor cells and inhibit the growth of breast and colon cancer cells. Researchers have concluded that antioxidants and compounds like bacosides are responsible for anti-cancer properties in Brahmi. But it can’t be recommended as a treatment as more human studies are required.
8. Improves Your Immune System
Regular consumption of Brahmi improves your immune system. Brahmi possesses antioxidants that will boost your immune system. Go for brahmi to strengthen your immune system.
9. Gives Relief from Arthritis
Brahmi is effective against arthritis, gout, and other inflammatory conditions. It is also beneficial against gastric ulcers and IBS. You can consume this herb in pill form to get a lot of relief from arthritis.Â
10. Beauty Benefits
Brahmi oil prevents dry scalp and hair fall. The antioxidants in Brahmi will promote healthy hair. By removing toxins from your body, antioxidants improve your skin complexion. Brahmi also helps you to combat problems like itchiness, dandruff, and split ends.
The Bottom Line
These are some Bacopa monnieri benefits. Brahmi has many medicinal effects including removing stress, boosting memory, improving digestion, etc. But more human studies are required to establish all these claims.
