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Ayurveda is one of the most ancient sciences of the world. The influence of Ayurveda ranges far and wide. One of the widely known herbs of Ayurveda is Brahmi. Brahmi is scientifically called Bacopa monnieri. It is a perennial creeper. It is a native herb of India and is mostly found in Eastern wetlands and Southern India. For centuries the ancient Indians have been reaping benefits of this plant. It is also called a water hyssop. Brahmi has many different names across India. Some of them are Babies tear, Bacopa, Herpestis monniera, and Sambarenu. Brahmi is best known for its memory-enhancing properties.
According to the ancient Ayurvedic scriptures, the name Brahmi is a Sanksrit word derived from the name of Lord Brahma and Goddess Saraswati.
Ancient Indians used Brahmi in various forms to treat a large variety of diseases. Brahmi can be ingested as a tea. Brahmi tea is made by brewing Brahmi leaves to treat respiratory issues. Brahmi can be used as powerful hair oil. It is used as an important ingredient to improvise brain functions. Brahmi was used as a catalyst for the healing process due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Brahmi is known as an effective cure to treat sunburn. Ayurvedic experts tell that Sunburn is caused by the imbalance of Pitta or Pitta Dosha. This imbalance is a result of
Sita meaning cooling effect, and Ropan meaning healing nature.
Brahmi tea is potent medicine for cold, bronchitis, and chest congestion. The diseased could be cured of respiratory problems by drinking this tea as the solution cleared out the mucous from the air tubes. This relieves breathing problems. It is also used to reduce throat inflammation and respiratory tract inflammation as Brahmi possesses anti-inflammatory properties.
Consumption of Brahmi powder with milk helps in improving brain functions. This concoction prevents brain cell damage caused by free radicals. Brahmi has antioxidant properties.
Brahmi also acts as a memory enhancer and a brain tonic. It was mostly given to kids to improve cognitive capacity. Extracted Brahmi oil is used as hair oil for the treatment of hair loss. When applied at the scalp, Brahmi oil nourishes and increases the strength of the hair.
Due to its disinfectant properties, Brahmi is also applied to the skin to avoid infection and speed up the healing process.
When given to people with irritable bowel syndrome, popularly known as IBS, Brahmi helps manage the intestinal spasms. However, it cannot permanently cure IBS. It is used for immediate temporary relief from the symptoms of IBS.
In some cases, it is found that the quality of sperm produced can be e enhanced with the use of Brahmi in males. On the other hand, Brahmi can be used to manage infertility in females. In both cases, it can stimulate sexual drive. Brahmi can also manage some other sexual problems.
There is no proper scientific proof of this. However, in some cases, according to traditional medicine practices, Brahmi can manage the voice pitch to reduce hoarseness.
We will be dealing with the uses of Brahmi in treatment methods of a variety of diseases from scientific and Ayurvedic point of view:
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Brahmi has a powerful set of natural antioxidants. These antioxidants work against free radicals in the brain cells and help to reduce age-related memory loss. It can effectively increase the grasping power and brain memory in older people. Especially in the case of Alzheimer's disease, Brahmi can cut down the accumulation of the protein in the brain and improve its functioning. |
Age-related memory loss can be managed effectively with the use of Brahmi daily. According to Ayurveda's scriptures, Vata is responsible for the controlling and working of the nervous system. Ups or downs in the Vata lead to memory loss, weak memory, less grasping power, and less concentration. Brahmi increases the mental alertness almost instantaneously. With periodic use, it also enhances memory. It balances the Vata and improves intelligence. |
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It is proven that Brahmi possesses anxiolytic properties. In layman's language, anxiolytic properties are anti-anxiety properties. Brahmi can help to bring anxiety under control. In most critical cases with anxiety symptoms being mental fatigue, Brahmi can provide relief and increase the memory span. In some cases, Brahmi is also known to prevent neuroinflammation. Neuroinflammation is the inflammation of the nervous tissue. Neuroinflammation is the prime cause of anxiety. |
Symptoms of anxiety can be reduced with the use of Brahmi. Again Vata Dosha plays an important role in the cause of anxiety. As mentioned earlier, Vata is responsible for controlling all moments and action of the nervous system. And Brahmi can stabilize Vata Dosha. Thus, it has a calming effect on the nerves. |
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Brahmi is rich in many potent antioxidants that can help against free radicals in the brain. When a patient suffers from an epileptic attack, there is a reduction in some particular genes' production and activity. Due to this, the patient suffers from a deficiency of proteins. Brahmi acts as a catalyst to stimulate these genes. It helps in bringing them back to the functionality. This reduces the probability of epilepsy. Further, it also decreases the effects of an epileptic attack. |
In Sanskrit, epilepsy is called as Apasmara. This disease is not new to Ayurveda. During an epileptic attack, the patient experiences constant flashes of seizures. These seizures are caused when there is an abnormality in the electrical activity of the brain. In a seizure attack, the patient becomes uncontrollable, and the body starts to move rapidly. The causes of epilepsy are imbalanced in all the three Vatta, Pitta, and Kapha doshas. Brahmi helps to stabilize all the three doshas. It also helps to reduce the frequency and intensity of seizures. It helps in maintaining the electrical activity of the brain at normal levels. Brahmi had Medhya property, which increases intelligence. |
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Studies have found that Brahmi has anti-asthmatic property. This property is useful for reducing asthma. It relaxes the respiratory tract unclogging mucus. Its disinfectant properties also keep a check on bacteria and allergies. |
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In addition to being a powerful antioxidant, Brahmi has neuroprotective property, anti neuroinflammatory party, anti-anxiety property, or anxiolytic property, and antidepressant property. This makes Brahmi a potent medicine to treat anxiety, depression, insanity, and hyper brain activities. All the while, it also increases the intellect, memorizing capacity, and normalizes brain activity. |
Brahmi is known to be effective against a variety of mental illnesses, including anxiety and depression. According to the ayurvedic scriptures, the instability in Vata Dosha leads to all the mental health problems of anxiety and depression. Brahmi can cure a patient of these diseases. Besides, it also increases brain function and intelligence due to its Medhya property. |
Forms of Brahmi in Ayurveda with Recommended Dosage:
Brahmi can be used both internally and externally. There are various ways through which you can ingest Brahmi. Similarly, there are different methods to apply Brahmi to your skin and other parts of the body.
If you have not consulted with your doctor or Ayurvedic practitioner, then it is best to do so. Also, there are some popular methods to use Brahmi. They are as mentioned below. Information is also given about the dosage amount for each form of Brahmi. You can then follow these dosage recommendations for effective results.
Given below are the procedures to use each form of Brahmi:
a. Take 2 to 4 teaspoons of freshly extracted Brahmi juice.
b. Add an equal quantity of water to it. Drink this solution once a day before having your meal.
a. Take ¼ to ½ spoons of Brahmi churna.
b. Mix it with honey and swallow the paste before or after both lunch and dinner.
a. Take 1 to 2 Brahmi capsule.
b. Swallow it with milk either before or after both lunch and dinner.
a. Take 1 to 2 Brahmi tablet.
b. Take it to milk either before or after both lunch and dinner.
a. Take 3 to 4 teaspoons Brahmi cold infusion.
b. Add water or honey to it according to your choice. Drink this before both lunch and dinner.
a. Take ½ to 1 spoon of freshly made Brahmi paste.
b. Mix it with a small quantity of rose water to make a thick mixture. Apply this paste on the face.
c. Let it sit for 7 to 8 minutes.
d. Wash thoroughly with plain water or lukewarm water.
a. Take ½ to 1 teaspoon of Brahmi oil.
b. Use your fingertips or cotton to massage the oil gently on the scalp and hair.
Despite being such a healthy medicine against various diseases, the overuse of anything should be avoided. Brahmi is no exception to this fact. If you overuse Brahmi, you may suffer from the following symptoms:
The overuse of Brahmi can have various effects. Brahmi can affect a wide range of organs within your body. These effects may differ from person to person. However, in general, Brahmi main cause some critical problems that are listed below:
Brahmi has a negative effect on thyroid hormones. It may rapidly increase the secretion of thyroid hormones. So it is the best advice to keep a check on your TSH level while you are using a Brahmi treatment.
If you are taking Brahmi with other sedatives, you better take a proper prescription from your doctor or Ayurveda medical practitioner. Brahmi has coming effects on the nervous system of the body. Coupled with additional sedatives, this can lead to complicated situations.
Brahmi can affect the functioning of your liver. If you have any liver-related problems, then it is highly suggested that you seek your doctor or Ayurveda medical practitioner's advice, especially if you are taking Brahmi with hepatoprotective drugs.
Brahmi can affect a variety of hormones, including the secretions of the stomach and intestines. Again it would be strongly advised to consult your doctor or Ayurveda medical practitioner in case if you are suffering from abnormal functioning of the stomach and intestine such as ulcers.
While Brahmi works its way to clear the respiratory tract and maintain their hygiene within the patient's lungs, it can also increase the amount of fluid secreted by the lungs. Asthma and Emphysema patients need to consult their doctor or Ayurveda medical practitioner regarding the use of Brahmi.
-View of Science Experts
It is found that Brahmi may decrease the functioning of the heart and reduce the heart rate. So heart patients are advised to seek their doctors or Ayurveda medical practitioners' prescriptions before the use of Brahmi. They also need to monitor their heart rate regularly.
What is Brahmi made of?
The modern scientific analysis says that two major alkaloids are found in Brahmi. They are Brahmine and Saponins. Apart from these alkaloids, there is a presence of Bacposide A and Bacposide B. These are responsible for the properties that increase the neurotropic functions of enhancing memory and creativity. They make Brahmi a good tonic for the brain, especially for kids.
Which are the various forms of Brahmi that are easily available in the market?
Brahmi can be used in many forms, both externally and internally. Out of these, some of them are easily available at the market. They include Brahmi Hair Oil, Brahmi Juice, Brahmi Powder or Churna, Brahmi Tablet, Brahmi Capsule, and Brahmi Sharbat.
Can Brahmi be ingested on an empty stomach or without eating food?
In general, Brahmi does not have any adverse effects if taken on an empty stomach or without any food. It is found that if Brahmi is taken on an empty stomach, it also adds the digestion and absorption of food apart from its other medicinal properties.
Can you take Brahmi as a concoction with milk?
As a matter of fact, adding milk to Brahmi elevates its functionality. Brahmi is given with milk to kids as a tonic for the brain. Further milk also adds to its soothing effect.
Can you Ashwagandha and Bramhi as a mixture together?
Just like Brahmi, Ashwagandha also can improve the functionality of the brain. This is due to the medical property of Ashwagandha to promote brain activity.
Brahmi and Ashwagandha are often suggested by Ayurveda practitioners to keep the digestive system healthy.
Can Brahmi treat hair loss?
Yes, Brahmi is a very effective solution against hair fall and hair loss. Brahmi has rejuvenating properties known as Rasayana in Sanskrit. This, coupled with its property to suit the skin, helps to prevent dryness of the scalp. The use of Brahmi oil balances Pitta Dosha, which is the chief reason for hair problems. Also, Brahmi also promotes the growth of new hair. It increases the thickness of hair and provides strength to the hair strands.
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