Bacopa, or Bacopa monnieri, is the botanical name for Brahmi. It is a remarkable revitalizing herb that supports the brain and nervous system. This tiny, crawling perennial plant is one of two potent herbs utilized for ages to improve memory, intellect, and attention.

What Is It?

Bacopa monnieri is a species of wetland perennial native to India and Sri Lanka. Brahmi has long been recognized for its therapeutic benefits and the ability to restore balance in all three dosha systems in Ayurvedic medicine.

The root of the bacopa plant is long and thin. It has tiny succulent green leaves that are beautiful white blooms. It has a low, flat growth pattern similar to how the nervous system develops branchlike extensions throughout the body. Bacopa's "doctrine of signatures" refers to the incredible benefits of Bacopa for the health of the brain and nervous system.

Bacopa is a rich source of antioxidants, and it has been used in many cultures for centuries to promote mental clarity. The plant's scientific name means "energy of universal consciousness," and it's said to help the mind. Bacopa is considered bitter and invigorating, with a cool energy, and can be steeped in tea or used as a tincture or topical treatment.

The old name for Bacopa, jalabrahmi, comes from the Sanskrit term jalabhara, which means "water Brahmi." The English name water hyssop is derived from it. It is also known as water hyssop because it prefers growing in wet marshy places. Due to its capacity to develop and survive in water, Bacopa is frequently used in aquariums.

The Many Names of Bacopa

Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) is frequently confused with another cognitive enhancer, Gotu kola (Centella Asiatica). The two herbs share some common properties and are often used together. However, they are not the same herb. Bacopa is an aquatic plant, while Gotu kola is a land plant.

The two plants are unrelated and have no visual similarities, but they are known as Brahmi in India, owing to a linguistic misunderstanding. Bacopa monnieri goes by several common names, including Brahmi, Herb-of-Grace, Water Hyssop, Indian pennywort, and Mandukaparni. 

Bacopa Monnieri Uses and Benefits

Overall, Bacopa has many advantages for the body, emotions, and mind. While best recognized for aiding the nervous system, Bacopa also impacts the lymphatic, blood vessels, skin, joints, circulatory and digestive systems. 5

Here are a few more advantages this fantastic herb can provide:

• Fortitude and Mental Strength. Bacopa has long been regarded as one of the most potent brain tonics in Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia. It's been used in Ayurveda for hundreds of years to improve memory, intellect, as well as concentration, and focus.
• A Calm Nervous System and Mind. Bacopa can assist with occasional anxiety by balancing and rejuvenating the nervous system and emotional stability, and an internal state of calm.
• Sound Sleep and Stable Energy.Bacopa has adaptogenic properties and can adapt to the body's demands, improving daytime attention and focus while reducing stress throughout the system and enhancing night sleep quality.
• Skin, Hair, Joints, and Healthy Blood.Bacopa affects the energy of your body, which is why it's so valuable for brain health and memory. It promotes comfortable joint movement, healthy blood, lustrous hair, and a clear complexion because it is energetically cooling.

Memory and Brain Function

Several studies suggest that Bacopa may help preserve memory and improve attention. For example, in a study (1) published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology in 2014, researchers reviewed nine previously conducted research studies on how Bacopa affects cognitive performance. In their conclusion, researchers mentioned that Bacopa could enhance cognitive function, but significant, well-designed trials comparing the supplement to prescription drugs are required.

An earlier study (2) also reviewed previously published research on Bacopa for cognitive function. It found some evidence suggesting that the plant extract may improve memory during free recall evaluations.

In a 2016 study (3) of 60 college students, researchers discovered that six weeks of twice-daily Bacopa (at a dosage of 300 mg per day) treatment resulted in gains in cognitive function test scores.

Bacopa for the Mind

Bacopa is a no-brainer when it comes to brain health, as you may have guessed by now! It is supposed to enhance the quality of sadhaka pitta, which is closely associated with intellect. As a mental tonic, it is used to treat a wide range of mental disorders—both developmental and behavioural.

Bacopas's sattvic qualities, however, go beyond just the physical advantages of enhanced memory and brain function. Instead, it promotes and nurtures the entire channel of the mind—directly promoting subtle awareness and influencing consciousness quality.

Because of this, Bacopa is frequently used to assist meditation, clarify thinking, and establish a connection with a higher sense of spirit beyond the physical world. Furthermore, because Ayurveda shows a close link between the heart and the intellect, Bacopa may also be used as a heart-nourishing tonic.

What is Bacopa Used For?

Bacopa has traditionally been used to treat various mental and nervous system problems. Bacopa is a Rasayana or rejuvenating tonic. In Ayurvedic tradition it is used to increase intellect and longevity.

According to several studies, Bacopa monnieri reduces the rate of forgetting new information in healthy people and may improve cognitive functions in healthy persons.

As more individuals turn to natural cures, Bacopa monnieri is gaining popularity as a nootropic supplement. Short-term usage of Bacopa induced a feeling of calm and well-being in study participants. Still, research revealed that beneficial cognitive effects of Bacopa were generally seen after 6-12 weeks, with longer-term usage resulting in even better outcomes.

Bacopa May Help Reduce Anxiety

Bacopa may help change the activity of certain enzymes involved in the stress response, which implies that it may reduce stress-induced brain damage.

In a small trial (4) published in Phytotherapy Research in 2014, a bacopa extract was given to healthy people who carried out several activities. Bacopa had cognitive, emotional, and hormonal benefits in those who took it.

Help Reduce ADHD Symptoms

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impulsiveness, excessive activity, and inattentiveness.

According to a study, Bacopa monnieri can help with ADHD symptoms. In a study of 31 children aged 6–12 years, taking 225 mg Bacopa monnieri extract daily for six months reduced ADHD symptoms, such as restlessness, inattention, poor self-control, and impulsivity by 85 percent. (5)

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 120 children with ADHD, researchers found that taking a herbal combination containing 125 mg of Bacopa monnieri improved attention, impulse control, and cognition when compared to the control group. (6)

While these results are encouraging, additional large-scale research on the effects of Bacopa monnieri in treating ADHD is necessary before it can be recommended as a treatment.

How to Take Bacopa

Bacopa is available as a tincture, capsule, orsupplement. It may be consumed fresh from the garden or used topically and internally. There are several ways to use this beneficial herb in your daily routine, whether you want to enhance your mental acuity and concentration or relax and calm your nerves.

Bacopa Powder- The Ayurvedic style of ingesting Bacopa is by dissolving the herb in a liquid substance like water, milk, or ghee. This method of consumption allows you to experience the flavor of the herb and may contribute to digestive and absorption mechanics.

Liquid Extract - E-liquids are a convenient and rapid-acting means to consume herbs. This concentrated preparation requires less digestive effort and is absorbed quickly and effectively into the circulation. In addition, our Bacopa extract is portable, so you can take it with you whenever you need a little boost of clarity or peace of mind.

Supplements for Memory and Focus -The use of a herbal supplement pill that has been created and is ready-to-go, making it simple to take. It helps develop the mind and enhance mental performance by sharpening the intellect. If you're thinking about taking Bacopa, here are some alternatives to consider; one of those isNeuro Calm,designed to help enhance memory and cognitive function.

Consider a mindfulness practice, meditation, a healthy daily routine, and a diet that is right for your constitution to help assure improved well-being.

How to Eat Bacopa

While Bacopa isn't found in every home garden, it may be cultivated and consumed in various ways. As a result, it will thrive in most warm and humid areas as long as it receives enough water.

Pick it fresh, then add it to salads or blend it into a flavorful pesto. The plant can also be lightly cooked and added to warm dinners such as soups, kitchari, or stir-fries.

Interactions and Contraindications

There's a lack of study on whether the herb interacts with other medicines that target neurotransmitters. However, interactions with drugs metabolized by the liver, Alzheimer's disease medications, cholinergic medicines, anticholinergic medications, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, or thyroid hormones might occur.

Bacopa is relatively safe, although uncommon adverse effects include dry mouth, tiredness, indigestion, nausea, and increased bowel regularity.

There are no known interactions between Bacopa and meals, other herbs, or supplements

 at this time. However, keep in mind that the safety of supplements during breastfeeding, children, and those with medical issues has not been proven. Also, pregnant women shouldn't take Bacopa since there are no studies about safe use in pregnancy.

Our Neurocalm Supplement

You can also find GABA in our Neuro Calm supplement which has been specifically designed to support cognitive function and memory enhancement.