Brahmi

Brahmi, also known as Bacopa monniera, is a member of the Scrophulariaceae family. Brahmi is a small, creeping plant with numerous branches, small elongated leaves and light purple flowers (1, 2). This plant is found on the Indian subcontinent in wet and humid swampy areas (3, 4). Its ability to grow underwater makes it a popular plant for aquarium owners (1). Brahmi is one of the fundamental medicinal plants in Ayurvedic medicine, where it is classified as a medhyarasayana. This name stands for active ingredients used to improve memory and intellect. The name Brahmi is derived from the name "Brahma", the Hindu god of creation.

Brahmi has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries for a variety of purposes, including improving memory, relieving agitation and anxiety and treating epilepsy (2). Scientific research has shown that Brahmi can indeed improve brain function and relieve anxiety and stress, among other things. A class of potent compounds known as bacosides are thought to be responsible for Brahmi's benefits.

History of the use of Brahmi

Brahmi has been used by Indian Ayurvedic physicians for almost 3000 years. The first mentions of Brahmi are found in several ancient Ayurvedic scriptures including the Caraka Samhita (6th century AD), in which Brahmi is recommended for compounds to control a range of mental problems such as anxiety, attention deficit disorder and poor concentration, and the Bravprakash Var-Prakarana (16th century AD).

Health benefits of Brahmi

Brahmi contains powerful antioxidants

Antioxidants are substances that help protect cells from damage caused by potentially harmful molecules called free radicals. Scientific research suggests that damage caused by free radicals is linked to many chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer (3). Brahmi contains powerful compounds that have antioxidant effects (4). For example, bacosides, which are the primary active compounds in Brahmi, have been shown to neutralize free radicals and prevent fat molecules from reacting with free radicals (5).

When fat molecules react with free radicals, they undergo a process called lipid peroxidation. Lipid peroxidation has been linked to several diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases (6, 7). Brahmi could help prevent damage caused by this process. For example, a study conducted with rats showed that Brahmi could reduce free radical-induced damage and reverse signs of memory impairment (8).

Summary: Brahmi contains active compounds known as bacosides, which have been shown to have antioxidant effects, particularly in the brain.

Brahmi could reduce inflammation

Inflammation is the body's natural response to help fight and heal disease. However, chronic, underlying inflammation has been linked to numerous chronic diseases including cancer, diabetes and heart and kidney disease (9). In test tube studies, Brahmi appears to suppress the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines - molecules that stimulate an inflammatory immune response (10, 11). In further test tube and animal studies, Brahmi also inhibited enzymes such as cyclooxygenases, caspases and lipoxygenases, all of which play a key role in inflammation and pain (10, 11, 12).

In addition, Brahmi had anti-inflammatory effects comparable to diclofenac and indomethacin - two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat inflammation - in animal studies (12, 13). However, further research is needed to draw definitive conclusions about whether Brahmi can also reduce inflammation in humans.

Summary: Test tube and animal studies indicate that Brahmi may have potent anti-inflammatory properties and suppress pro-inflammatory enzymes and cytokines.

Brahmi could improve brain function

Scientific research suggests that Brahmi could help improve brain function. A study conducted on mice showed that Brahmi supplementation could improve spatial learning and the ability to retain information (14). The same study also found that Brahmi could increase dendritic length and branching. Dendrites are parts of nerve cells in the brain that are closely associated with learning and memory (14). In addition, a 12-week study of 46 healthy adults taking 300 mg of Brahmi daily showed a significant improvement in visual information processing, learning rate and memory compared to a placebo (15). Another 12-week study of 60 older adults found that taking either 300 or 600 mg of a Brahmi extract improved memory, attention and the ability to process information compared to a placebo (16).

Summary: Studies conducted with animals and humans show that Brahmi may help improve memory, attention and the ability to process visual information.

Brahmi could help reduce ADHD symptoms

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by symptoms such as hyperactivity, impulsivity and impaired attention (17). Interestingly, scientific research shows that Brahmi could help reduce ADHD symptoms. A study conducted with 31 children aged 6 to 12 years found that taking 225 mg of Brahmi extract for 6 months reduced ADHD symptoms such as restlessness, poor self-control, inattention and impulsivity in 85% of the children (18).

Another study conducted with 120 children suffering from ADHD found that taking a herbal mixture containing 125 mg of Brahmi improved attention and impulse control compared to a placebo (1). However, while these studies are promising, further, larger-scale studies are needed to investigate the effects of Brahmi on ADHD before it can be recommended for the treatment of ADHD.

Summary: Brahmi may help improve ADHD symptoms such as restlessness and self-control, but further large-scale human studies are needed to prove this beyond doubt.

Brahmi could alleviate restlessness, anxiety and stress

Brahmi is considered a nootropic agent - a term used for agents and drugs that improve cognition, memory, intelligence, motivation, attention and concentration. Brahmi has long been used in the field of Ayurvedic medicine and in the traditional treatment of a range of disorders, in particular disorders such as anxiety, intellectual disorders and poor memory. Brahmi may help to alleviate anxiety, restlessness and stress. Brahmi is considered an adaptogen, which means that it can increase the body's resistance to stress (20). Scientific research suggests that brahmi helps to alleviate stress and anxiety by improving mood and lowering levels of the hormone cortisol, which is closely linked to stress (21).

A study conducted in rodents showed that Brahmi has anxiety-relieving effects comparable to those of llorazepam (benzodiazepane), a prescription drug used to treat anxiety (22). However, human studies with Brahmi show mixed results in terms of anxiolytic effects. Two human studies concluded that a daily intake of 300 mg Brahmi over a period of 12 months reduced anxiety and depression in adults better than a placebo (1, 15). However, another human study did not observe any effect of Brahmi on anxiety (23). Further large-scale human studies are needed to confirm the effects of Brahmi on stress and anxiety.

Summary: Brahmi may help reduce stress and anxiety by improving mood and lowering cortisol levels. However, the results of human studies on this topic are mixed.

Brahmi could help lower blood pressure

High blood pressure poses a serious threat to health and puts a strain on the heart and blood vessels. This can weaken the heart and increase the risk of heart disease (24, 25). Scientific research suggests that brahmi may help keep blood pressure within a normal range. In a study conducted on animals, Brahmi lowered both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Brahmi did this by releasing nitric oxide, which helps to dilate the veins, resulting in better blood flow and lower blood pressure (26, 27).

Another study showed that Brahmi lowered blood pressure in rats with elevated blood pressure, but had no effect on normal blood pressure (28). In contrast, a 12-week study of 54 healthy older adults concluded that a daily intake of 300 mg Brahmi had no effect on blood pressure (1). Based on the current study situation, Brahmi could lower blood pressure in animals with high blood pressure. However, further human studies are needed to confirm these effects in humans.

Summary: Brahmi could help to lower blood pressure in animals with high blood pressure. However, human studies are still lacking.

Brahmi could have cancer-protective effects

Studies carried out in test tubes and with animals have concluded that Brahmi could have anti-cancer effects. The bacosides contained in Brahmi have been shown to kill aggressive brain tumor cells and inhibit the growth of breast and colon cancer in in vitro studies (29, 30, 31). In addition, Brahmi has been shown to induce cell death in skin cancer and breast cancer cells in animal and test tube studies (32, 33). Scientific studies suggest that high levels of antioxidants and compounds such as bacosides may be responsible for these effects (29, 34, 35). However, it should be kept in mind that these results are from test tube and animal studies. Until further human studies have been conducted on this topic, Brahmi cannot be recommended for cancer treatment.

Summary: Brahmi has been shown to block the growth and spread of cancer cells in animals and in test tubes. However, further human studies are needed to confirm these effects.

Further areas of application for Brahmi

In India, Brahmi is recognized as an effective agent for the treatment of mental illness and epilepsy. In certain areas of India, Brahmi is also believed to act as an aphrodisiac. In Sri Lanka, Brahmi is prescribed under the name Loonooweella for fever and in the Philippines it is used as a diuretic.

Need in sport

Brahmi is valued in sports for its fat-fighting properties. Recent research shows that it can increase thyroid hormone levels by more than 40%. This is a big plus for people following low calorie diets, as these diets tend to slow down the metabolism. The active ingredients appear to be saponins called bacosides. To use Bacopa as a fat burner, you should take a daily dose of 100-200mg of Brahmi extract, standardized to 20% bacosides. Make sure you take it for some time, as it may take a few weeks for the effects to be felt.

Safety and side effects

Brahmi has been confirmed to contain bacosides in healthy young male volunteers in both single and chronic doses of up to 450 mg dry extract over a period of 4 and 6 weeks. None of the studies conducted in humans reported any toxic effects. Although Brahmi is considered safe, it can cause side effects in some people. For example, it may cause digestive discomfort including nausea, stomach cramps and diarrhea (36). Pregnant women should not use Brahmi as there is no research on the safety of taking it during pregnancy (37). In addition, Brahmi may interact with certain medications including amitriptyline (38). For this reason, people taking medication should discuss the use of Brahmi with their doctor.

Summary: Brahmi is generally safe and harmless, although some people may experience side effects such as nausea, stomach cramps and diarrhea. Pregnant women should avoid Brahmi and people taking medication should discuss its use with their doctor.

How should Brahmi be taken?

Brahmi is available in capsule or powder form. Typical dosages range from 300 to 450 mg per day (39). However, dosage recommendations may vary from product to product. The powder form of Brahmi can be infused with hot water to make a type of tea. Considering the improved mental functioning capacity, Brahmi is best taken in the morning. Human studies conducted with Brahmi have typically used 300mg of Brahmi extract, which is about 4 grams of the whole plant.

This dosage corresponds to about 1 to 2 tablets or capsules per day. Most clinical studies conducted with Brahmi used a specially developed standardized extract called KeenMind CDRI 08 (also known as Membac), which is standardized to contain 55% Bacoside A and B. In India, another chemically standardized extract is used. In India, another chemically standardized Brahmi extract is available for clinical use, which is used there for clinical trials with volunteers (10).

Combinations with other supplements

Brahmi is very often combined with Ginko Biloba as these two phytonutrients have been shown to improve different aspects of mental functioning (18).

Conclusion

Brahmi is an Ayurvedic medicinal plant that is used to treat various diseases. Human studies show that Brahmi can help improve brain function, alleviate ADHD symptoms and relieve stress and anxiety. In addition, test tube and animal studies have shown that Brahmi may have anti-cancer effects, reduce inflammation and lower high blood pressure. While these potential health benefits are promising, further research is needed to fully understand the effects of Brahmi in humans.