Are you starting a new job, learning a new skill, or taking a class? Maybe you're dealing with pregnancy or peri-menopause memory issues, or simply have cognitive conditions in your family you want to get ahead of. All of these are great reasons to add nootropic herb, bacopa monnieri from the Ayurvedic herbal pharmacy, into your daily routine.
Commonly known as water hyssop, this traditional Ayurvedic herb will be your ally, helping to improve your memory, sharpen cognition, reduce stress, and improve your mood. In my integrative herbal practice, bacopa monnieri is a go-to herb for strengthening brain function. This herb’s catch phrase could easily be, “learning is so fun!”
Bacopa Monnieri, known as Brahmi in South India, is a creeping perennial that thrives in India’s wetlands, and has quite a long history. It was mentioned in the Athar-Ved Samhita in 800 BC. According to Dr. Vasant Lad, BAMs, in his lectures on Clinical Uses of Ayurvedic Herbs, bacopa improves tejas (the spark of ideas and intelligence), making it useful to conquer learning disabilities, depression and ADHD, or simply for anyone who’s studying for a big exam. An adaptogen, anti-inflammatory, nootropic, analagesic herb, bacopa is one of the most thoroughly researched herbs, thanks to the efforts of the Indian Government’s Central Drug Research Institute.
9 Uses of Bacopa Monnieri
Enhances memory: Bacopa is a major herb in many traditional Ayurvedic formulas for memory. It’s great to use when starting a new job or studying for exams and can even be supportive in chronic cases of Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia. Herbalist and Ayurvedic Practitioner, Sonia Masocco, cites in her Clinical Herbalism lectures that bacopa pairs up well with Ginko Biloba, Gotu Kola, and Rosemary. In my practice, I use it in conjunction with Lion’s Mane for enhanced memory support.
Cognitive improvement in the elderly: One of the biggest challenges in our elderly population is loss of memory. When an elder who is used to being “sharp as a tack,” begins to lose their memory, a cascade of emotional effects often begin. They lose confidence, become depressed, anxious, and sometimes angry. Bacopa sharpens mental acuity, speeds up processing of visual information, and helps with short-term recall, thus supporting our elders as they age.
Battles Depression: Depression is a major hurdle for so many, inhibiting both motivation and inspiration. Bacopa, with it’s unique ability to ignite tejas (the spark of bright, intelligent ideas), is a fantastic nervine for depression. Add it into anti-depression formulas with St. John’s Wort, lemon balm, and albizia.
Helps Focus: Safe for children, bacopa is a wonderful ally for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Combine with Lemon Balm for a calm, peaceful mind. For students who need to study for big exams, this lovely formula that combines bacopa with Western Herbs will support focus while enhancing memory. Get ready for that A!
Anti-Inflammatory: In the famous Dravagunavignanam, a comprehensive tome on Ayurvedic Pharmacology, an unusual use of bacopa is cited: the fresh juice of bacopa leaves is applied to painful, arthritic joints for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic effect. It can also be taken for internal inflammatory pain in formulas that combine bacopa with turmeric, ginger, and white willow bark. However, inflammation is only one side of the coin; the nervous system becomes ragged and exhausted when dealing with chronic, constant pain. Since bacopa is also a nervine tonic, it has a unique ability to address pain from multiple angles. It strengthens the nervous system, softening the blow of chronic pain, while its mood-enhancing capabilities make pain more emotionally tolerable.
Helps Combat Stress: Stressed out? Who isn’t! Ayurvedic Practitioner Dr. John Douillard hails this adaptogen for its positive effects on cortisol levels, thereby aiding with sleep cycles, anxiety, that “tired and wire” feeling, and even digestive disorders caused by stress, such irritable bowel syndrome. Combine with ashwagandha, jatamasi, gotu kola, holy basil, or all of the above to create a calm state of mind.
Vocal Cord Balm: Not only does sipping bacopa tea help to restore one’s voice from overuse, emotionally it helps with speaking one’s mind. Combined with licorice and honey, bacopa tea will nourish the vocal cords beautifully.
Epilepsy: The Dravyagunavignanam sites that bacopa reduces frequency and severity of seizures. Modern studies on bacopa show promising results. However, when dealing with a condition as severe as seizures, make sure to consult with a doctor before relying on bacopa.
Supports Respiratory Health. As a bronchial relaxant, bacopa is helpful in soothing asthma, allergies, and cough. Dr. Lad mentions in his lectures that bacopa is especially helpful for colds and cough in children.
Combinations
Gotu Kola (aka the “other” Brahmi): Bacopa’s perfect pair, Gotu Kola is cooling rather than heating. Folks with a hot constitution, make sure to use these two herbs together. Or… you might prefer Gotu Kola alone. How do you know if you’re sensitive to heating herbs? Take a moment to observe yourself. Are you quick to react and tend towards a temper? Are you the first to take off your jacket in a group? Do you have hot flashes or night sweats? These are all great reasons to either pair up Gotu Kola with Bacopa or just go for the Gotu.
Ginkgo Biloba: Famous for circulation and brain health, Ginko Biloba pairs nicely with Bacopa. Caution: Folks on blood thinning medications should absolutely avoid Ginko Biloba.
Lion’s Mane: Gaining notoriety as an excellent nervine tonic, Lion’s Mane is very good for long-term brain health, particularly when we surpass middle age. Pair it with Bacopa for a sharper, quicker memory.
Turmeric: Famous for anti-inflammatory effects, if you know there is an inflammatory component in your memory profile, consider adding turmeric to the mix.
All of the above together! Mixing equal parts of all of the above will be a wonderful, general, long-term brain tonic that suits most constitutions.
Bring On The Bacopa Monieri
This ancient herb is a wonderful addition to our modern pharmacopeia. It can be found in supplement form in capsules alone or in formulas as well as tinctures. You can also buy dried bacopa to make your own brain-tonic tea.
By the way, you're going to crush that exam.