Related Topics

See also:

• Drug interactions

Common name:

• Brahmi
• water hyssop

Botanical Names

Botanical name:

• Bacopa monniera

Parts used and where grown

Bacopa is native to India, where it grows in marshy areas. In the West, bacopa is a familiar water plant used in aquariums. Most parts of the plant have been used traditionally, but modern preparations are extracts of the stem and leaves.

Health Concerns

Bacopa has been used in connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual health concern for complete information):

Rating	Health Concerns
	Alzheimer's disease Anxiety ARCD Epilepsy
Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit. Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit. An herb is primarily supported by traditional use, or the herb or supplement has little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit.

Traditional Use

Historical or traditional use (may or may not be supported by scientific studies)

Since at least the sixth century A.D., bacopa (Brahmi) has been used in Ayurvedic medicine (the traditional medicine of India) as a diuretic and as a tonic for the nervous system and the heart. Specific uses include the treatment of asthma, insanity, and epilepsy.¹

Active Constituents

Active constituents

The leaves of bacopa contain saponins, including the bacosides,^{2, 3, 4} which are thought responsible for the therapeuticproperties of the herb. In animal studies, both purified bacosides and extractsof bacopa standardized for bacosides have been found to enhance several aspectsof mental function and learning ability.^{5, 6, 7} Additional brain effects ofbacopa demonstrated in animal research include reduction of both anxiety anddepression.^{8, 9}Biochemically, these nervous-system effects have been attributed to anenhancement of the effects of the neurotransmitters acetylcholineand,^{10, 11} possibly,serotonin or GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid).^{12, 13}

Bacopa extracts also appear to have significant antioxidant activity inthe brain,¹⁴ and other effects that may help protect braincells.¹⁵

Animal research has also reported that bacopa extracts can relax the musclesthat control the blood vessels, the intestine, and the airways of therespiratory system,^{16, 17, 18, 19} and can help both prevent and healulcers in the stomach.²⁰

Dosage

Traditional herbal references recommend 5 to 10 grams per day of the powdered herb.²¹ Human research has used 300 to 450 mg per day of an extract standardized to contain 55% bacosides.

Side Effects

Bacopa appears to be well tolerated when taken in typicalamounts,²² although one double-blind study reported significantlymore symptoms of dry mouth, nausea, and muscle fatigue in participants takingbacopa.²³

Are there any drug interactions?

Certain medicines may interact with bacopa. Refer to drug interactions for a list of those medicines.

References

1. [No author listed]. The Wealth of India: Raw Materials. II-B. New Delhi: Publications and Information Directorate, CSIR, 1950:2-3.
2. ChatterjiN, Rastorgi RP, Dhar ML. Chemical examination of Bacopa monniera Wettst. Part I:isolation of chemical constituents. Indian J Chem 1963;1:212.
3. RastogiS, Pal R, Kulshreshtha DK. Bacoside A3-a triterpenoid saponin from Bacopamonniera. Phytochemistry 1994;36:133-7.
4. Jain P, KulshreshthaDK. Bacoside A1, a minor saponin from Bacopa monniera. Phytochemistry1993;33:449-51.
5. Singh HK, Dhawan BN.Neuropsychopharmacological effects of the Ayurvedic nootropic Bacopa monnieraLinn. (Brahmi). Indian J Pharmacol 1997;29:S359-S365.
6. Singh HK,Rastogi RP, Srimal RC, Dhawan BN. Effect of bacosides A and B on avoidanceresponses in rats. Phytother Res 1988;2:70-5.
7. Singh HK, DhawanBN. Effect of Bacopa monniera Linn. (brahmi) extract on avoidance responses inrat. J Ethnopharmacol 1982;5:205-14.
8. Bhattacharya SK, Ghosal S. Anxiolytic activity of astandardized extract of Bacopa monniera-an experimental study. Phytomedicine1998;5:77-82.
9. Sairam K, Dorababu M, Goel RK, Bhattacharya SK.Antidepressant activity of standardized extract of Bacopa monniera inexperimental models of depression in rats. Phytomedicine 2002;9:207-11.
10. Stough C, Lloyd J, Clarke J, et al. The chronic effects of an extractof Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects. Psychopharmacology 2001;156:481-4.
11. Bhattacharya SK, Kumar A, Ghosal S. Effect of Bacopa monniera on animal models of Alzheimer's disease and perturbed centralcholinergic markers of cognition in rats. In: Siva Sanka DV, ed. MolecularAspects of Asian Medicine. New York: PJD Publications, 2000.
12. Ganguly GK, Malhtora CL. Someneuropharmacological and behavioral effects of an activefraction from Herpestismonniera Linn (Brahmi). Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 1967;11:33-43.
13. Dey PK, Datta C. Effect of psychotropic phytochemicals on cerebral amino acid level.Indian J Exp Biol 1966; 4:216-8.
14. Bhattacharya SK, Bhattacharya A, Kumar A, Ghosal S. Antioxidantactivity of Bacopa monniera in rat frontal cortex, striatum and hippocampus. PhytotherRes 2000;14:174-9.
15. Russo A, Borrelli F, Campisi A, et al. Nitric oxide-related toxicityin cultured astrocytes: effect of Bacopa monniera. Life Sci 2003;73:1517-26.
16. Dar A, Channa S. Bronchodilatory and cardiovasculareffects of an ethanol extract of Bacopa monniera in anaesthetized rats. Phytomedicine1997;4:319-23.
17. Dar A, Channa S. Relaxant effect of ethanol extract ofBacopa monniera on trachea, pulmonary artery and aorta from rabbit andguinea-pig. Phytother Res 1997;11:323-5.
18. Channa S, Dar A,Yaqoob M, et al. Broncho-vasodilatory activity of fractions and pureconstituents isolated from Bacopa monniera. J Ethnopharmacol 2003;86:27-35.
19. Dar A, Channa S. Calcium antagonistic activity of Bacopa monniera onvascular and intestinal smooth muscles of rabbit and guinea-pig. JEthnopharmacol 1999;66:167-74.
20. Sairam K, Rao CV, Babu MD, Goel RK. Prophylactic andcurative effects of Bacopa monniera in gastric ulcer models. Phytomedicine2001;8:423-30.
21. [No author given]. Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Volume 1. Worli, Mumbai: Indian Drug Manufacturers Association, 1998.
22. Singh HK, Dhawan BN. Neuropsychopharmacological effects of theAyurvedic nootropic Bacopa monniera Linn. (Brahmi). Indian J Pharmacol1997;29:S359-S365.
23. Stough C, Lloyd J, Clarke J, et al. The chronic effects of anextract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy humansubjects. Psychopharmacology 2001;156:481-4.

Last Review: 09-01-2007

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The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2009.