Bacopa monnieri is an herb native to India that has a long history of use in the Ayurvedic system of medicine where it is known as Brahmi. Bacopa monnieri is one of the most important herbs in India and is used for a wide variety of ailments and as a general tonic and an anti-aging herb. In the west, Bacopa monnieri is gaining popularity due to recent studies that examine its effect on the brain, cancer and it ability to keep stress at bay. Following is a closer look at some of the uses for the ancient Ayurvedic herb that may be a great ally in the fight against some modern maladies.
History
In the Ayurvedic system of medicine, Bacopa monnieri, or brahmi, is considered the most important herb for the brain and is used to balance the three doshas, or subtle energies of the body. Brahmi is the Hindu name for the Creator God of the Universe, which shows just how much esteem this plant has had over the ages. Bacopa monnieri grows in marshy aquatic areas throughout India and Southeast Asia and is used as a culinary spice in some Vietnamese dishes.
Memory
The number one use of Bacopa monnieri in Ayurvedic medicine is as a brain booster. In a study done on Bacopa monnieri's effect on human memory and published in 2002 in the "Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology," a team of American researchers gave Bacopa monnieri to a group of adults in order to measure its effects. The double blind, controlled study found that Bacopa monnieri seemed to decrease the rate that the subjects forgot newly acquired material, compared to the control group.
Cancer
Another use of Bacopa monnieri has traditionally been as an herb that promotes health and longevity. In 1995, researchers at the University of Madras in Madras, India tested an extract of Bacopa monnieri against sarcoma cancer cell cultures. They the rate of growth of the sarcoma cells was significantly inhibited by the Bacopa monnieri extract, leading them to conclude that Bacopa monnieri can be considered an anti-cancer drug.
Stress
Stress is as old as the human condition, and Bacopa monnieri has been used in traditional Ayurveda as a calming and rejuvenating herb for centuries. In a research article published in the journal "Phytotherapy Research" in 2002, a team of scientists in India tested the effects of Bacopa monnieri extract on stress induced changes in the brains of rats. They found that the brains of rats treated with the Bacopa extract showed a higher level of antioxidant activity and a lower rate of stress induced enzymes when exposed to stress.
Potential
As a herbal supplement to help manage and ward off many degenerative ailments, this herbal ally, Bacopa monnieri, could be one of the most beneficial plants on earth.
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