Bacopa: properties and uses of a great Ayurvedic medicinal plant

The bacopa monnieriknown as brahmi or bacopa, is a important ingredient of phytotherapeutic formulas of Ayurvedic medicine.

This plant has been used in India for centuries. to cure or prevent various diseases, increase brain power or reduce stress and anxiety.

It grows in tropical and humid areas such as southern Africa, China, Taiwan, Australia, and Central and South America. Since the bacopa also grows underwater, it is often used in aquariums.

What are the active principles of bacopa?

The following active ingredients in bacopa are responsible for its healthy virtues:

bramine (alkaloid)Bacosides A and B (triterpenoid saponins, a substance that protects the plant itself)flavonoids (luteolin and apigenin)

The properties of the bacopa are being investigated, But many of the studies have only looked at small groups of people, and much more scientific work is needed. Studies conducted indicate that bacopa possesses the following properties.

1. It could prevent cancer

Free radicals caused by oxidative stress can favor the development of cancer. According to an analysis of several studies, Bacopa, with its rich antioxidants, can partially neutralize the action of these radicals.

It has been proven that bacosides help, at least in a test tube, with brain tumors, breast cancer, and colon cancer.

2. It could prevent Alzheimer’s

When free radicals react with fat in the brain, the fat can oxidize, leading to what is known as lipid peroxidation. This can trigger Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurodegenerative diseases.

The numerous antioxidants present in bacopa they can also have a preventive effect. A study in rats done with bacopa confirms this hope.

3. Improves brain performance

Various experiments on animals and humans confirm that bacopa can improve memory performance.

After ingesting 300 milligrams of bacopa daily for several weeks, 46 healthy test subjects they were able to recall new learning better and process visual information faster than a placebo group.This effect lasted twelve weeks.

People over the age of 60 who took 300 to 600 milligrams of bacopa they also showed better brain performance.

4. Help with ADHD

An Indian study in 31 children with ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder) between the ages of six and twelve who took 225 milligrams of bacopa daily for six months showed an improvement in ADHD symptoms.

Restlessness, concentration and learning difficulties, and impulsivity improved in 67 to 93% of children. By comparison, commercially available medications work for an average of 70% of children.

5. Reduces anxiety and depression

Bacopa, according to a study, has a similar effect on rats as anxiety-reducing psychotropic drugs from the benzodiazepine group.

can be calming no side effects similar: it is not addictive nor does it negatively affect mental faculties such as memory.

how do you take bacopa?

You can buy bacopa powder or capsules. If you are taking any medication, get medical advice beforehand to make sure you can take it.

like dust, you can pour hot water over the bacopa and drink it as an infusion. The Ayurvedic medicinal plant is also suitable in smoothies.

What is the proper dosage?

In the mentioned studies, bacopa was administered in different amounts. With a regular intake of 300 milligrams daily, the scientists were able to demonstrate positive effects. One study even went up to 600 milligrams.

To prevent side effects, an average value of 450 milligrams per day should not be exceeded. As a precautionary measure. If you notice the following side effects, reduce the dose or stop taking bacopa.

possible side effects of bacopa

May cause nausea, abdominal pain, and bowel movements more frequent.This may make other medicines less effective or interact with them.

If you are pregnant, you should refrain from taking bacopa, since no study has been able to show that it is completely harmless. This also applies to small children.

Scientific references:

Sudeepa Ghosh, Rahmat Khanam, Avik Acharya Chowdhury. The Evolving Roles of Bacopa monnieri as Potential Anti-Cancer Agent: A Review. Nutrition and cancer.Tamara Simpson, Matthew Pass, With Stough. Bacopa monnieri as an Antioxidant Therapy to Reduce Oxidative Stress in the Aging Brain. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.Neetu Saini, Devinder Singh, Rajat Sandhir. Neuroprotective effects of Bacopa monnieri in experimental model of dementia.Neurochem Res. C Stough, J Lloyd, J Clarke, et all. The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects.psychopharmacology.Usha Pinakin Dave, Sunila Rajeev Dingankar, et al. An open-label study to elucidate the effects of standardized Bacopa monnieri extract in the management of symptoms of attention-deficit. hyperactivity disorder in children. Adv Mind Body Med. SK Bhattacharya, S Ghosal. Anxiolytic activity of a standardized extract of Bacopa monniera: an experimental study. Phytomedicine.