Bacopa monnieri is a fundamental plant in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine .
It has been used for centuries mainly as a treatment for anxiety states, to improve memory and attention in learning. This was possible thanks to its properties, due to the presence of some compounds.
Bacopa Monnieri: properties and benefits
The extracts of this plant, ready for cutting herbal tea, according to the phyto-therapeutic tradition, can support brain functions, relieve anxiety and stress, among other benefits .
Bacopa Monnieri makes available a class of elements, defined bacosides, believed to be responsible for these effects and studied as neuro-protectors.
Brahmi medicinal herb has properties historically associated with memory protection, promoting attention and concentration.
It can stimulate brain function, protecting nerve cells related to learning and memory (dendrites).
Bacopa monnieri, in fact, is being studied for its effect on the neurotransmitters of the brain. It can act on elements such as dopamine, serotonin (memory) and acetylcholine (learning), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA - calming neuronal arousal).
It is considered a useful tonic to induce a state of calm, counteracting anxiety and agitation.
For this reason, the Ayurvedic tradition also has it associated with the treatment of moods and distress, as a natural remedy to support mood. It can also be useful as an herbal tea to promote relaxation and sleep.
Bacopa monnieri is considered an adaptogenic herb , which increases the body's resistance to stress, providing useful substances to invigorate our body .
It can help balance the levels of cortisol, a hormone that is closely related to stress levels, and thus provide relief with a regenerating and calming herbal tea at the same time.
Bacosides are also powerful antioxidants , capable of protecting cells from damage that can be caused by potentially harmful molecules, the so-called free radicals.
They prevent the fat molecules from reacting with free radicals (the process of lipid peroxidation), thus avoiding damage conditions, which could favor various neuro-degenerative disorders.
Traditional systems of medicine use Bacopa monnieri whole, as in our herbal tea where you find the tops of the plant, for a beneficial effect.
Origins and History of cultivation
Bacopa monnieri is a medicinal herb that grows in the wetlands of different parts of the world across all continents: Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, America.
The first mention of Bacopa monnieri occurs, however, in 6th century Indian sacred texts, including the Atharva-Veda. The ancient Vedic scholars used Bacopa to aid in the study and memorization of long hymns and scriptures to be memorized.
It is, in fact, a plant used in Ayurveda, the ancient Indian medicine, in which Bacopa is called Brahmi by the Hindu god Brahma, the creator.
According to the rules of Ayurvedic medicine, Bacopa is warming, pungent, emetic, bitter. It has laxative effects, and is useful against ulcers, indigestion (reduces intestinal irritation), against excess bile and an enlarged spleen. In the past, it was also used to treat more serious diseases, such as leprosy and anemia.
Spiritually, Bacopa monnieri was used for psychic problems - considered afflictions of the soul.
As a medicinal herb, it was used with clarified butter, ghee, which improved its absorption, or in a mixture of herbs called Bramhi-Ghrita.
Together with other medicinal plants, it was used to counteract fatigue, speech disorders, treat epilepsy and convulsions with its calming power.
Bacopa has also been used in Arab and Persian medicine (Unani), known as Jal Brahmi with aphrodisiac properties
