The Benefits of Bacopa Monnieri (Brahmi)
What is Bacopa?
Bacopa monnieri, also commonly known as brahmi/herb of grace, is an important plant in traditional Ayurvedic medicine1. Bacopa grows in tropical, wet environments; it is commonly found in aquariums as it has the ability to thrive underwater1. It is also recognised as a nootropic herb.
What is Ayurvedic Medicine?
Ayurvedic medicine is a medical system that has been used for thousands of years and originated in India2. The goal of the medicine is to cleanse the body and restore balance to the body, spirit, and mind; it does this through diet, exercise, meditation, breathing, herbal medicines, physical therapy and other methods2. Bacopa has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries for many purposes; largely used for improving memory, improving anxiety, and treating epilepsy2. Research suggests that Bacopa boosts brain function and alleviates anxiety and stress, among many other benefits2.
Here are the Top 5 benefits of Bacopa Monnieri & why we at Switch believe it’s incredible!
1. Anti-Inflammatory Properties:
Inflammation is a natural bodily process; it occurs every single day within the human body. It is the body’s natural response to help heal and fight illness1. However, chronic inflammation can be a crucial sign of an underlying issue (such as cancer and heart problems)3. Research suggests that bacopa may help decrease inflammation and cytokine responses that cause the immune system to react3. In test-tube studies, bacopa appeared to restrain the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, as a result suppressing inflammation
2. Boosts Brain Function:
Research suggests that supplementing bacopa improves spatial learning and the ability to retain information1. It also highlights that bacopa increases dendritic length and branching; dendrites are types of nerve cells in the brain that are closely correlated with learning and memory1. Bacopa has been proven to improve cognition and memory recall2. The herb offers nootropic and adaptogenic benefits that help increase the ability to multitask and retain difficult information. It is now commonly known as the ‘brain booster herb’ 2. If you are looking for a natural ingredient that can speed the processing of visual information, memory and learning rate, bacopa is your answer!
3. Helps Reduce ADHD Symptoms
ADHD, deficit hyperactivity disorder; is a neurological condition that produces difficulty controlling impulse reactions and paying attention3. Research has highlighted that consuming bacopa may significantly help these symptoms by improving one’s attention span.
In the study, researchers gave children 225 milligrams of bacopa extract every day for six months. The study concluded that 93% of participants had a significant decrease in restlessness, 83% improved with self-control and focus, learning problems and impulsivity declined dramatically in the entire study group3.
4. Stress Reduction
The powerful medicinal herb has been shown to help prevent anxiety and stress, being an adaptogenic herb it increases the body’s resistance to stress throughout the body1. Bacopa does this by reducing levels of cortisol (the hormone that is closely linked to stress levels) and elevating your mood1. Not only does Bacopa have a powerful impact on memory recall and the brain, but it also ultimately has a significant effect on the nervous system!
5. Heart Health Benefits
Bacopa also has been shown to keep blood pressure levels within the healthy range3. Bacopa not only reduces inflammation, boosts brain recall, decreases stress, and aids the nervous system; it can also help lower blood pressure levels1. Bacopa has insulin-like properties that increase glycogen in the liver and improve glucose ultilsation, thus reducing blood pressure levels1.
Bacopa is an amazing herb that is easily implemented in many nutritional supplements. The benefits are endless and research highlights its success. At Switch Nutrition, we are passionate about this herb, add it into your diet and feel the benefits.
If you have any further questions about Bacopa or want to know how to add this to your diet, simply email support@switchnutrition.com.au.
Disclaimer: The above article is merely a guide and is in no way a recommendation or a treatment protocol for any health conditions or diseases. You should always consult with a qualified health care provider before changing your supplement, training or nutritional strategy. Supplementation should not be attempted by pregnant or breastfeeding women, anyone on prescription medication or children under the age of 15 unless advised by your qualified health care provider.
References:
1Raman, R. (2019) 7 emerging benefits of Bacopa Monnieri (Brahmi), Healthline. Healthline Media. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bacopa-monnieri-benefits (Accessed: December 20, 2022).
2NCI Dictionary of Cancer terms. National Cancer Institute. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/ayurvedic-medicine
3Bacopa benefits: The brain-boosting power of this nootropic herb (2022) Biostrap. Available at: https://biostrap.com/academy/bacopa-benefits/
