What is Bacopa?

Bacopa is a plant that is native to Asia and considered an invasive weed in the United States. It is an important herb in traditional Indian medicine and has also shown promise as a memory booster.

Definition

• Bacopa, also known as Bacopa monnieri, brahmi, and water hyssop, is a creeping weed used in ayurvedic medicine.

Ecology

• Bacopa is native to parts of southern Asia, including India, Pakistan, Nepal and Vietnam. It grows in watery conditions. In the United States, it is used as an aquarium plant, but it is considered invasive in the wild.

Appearance

• It is a creeping weed that grows low to the ground. The leaves are a deep green and grow thickly on the plant. The small, white flowers have four to five petals. The seeds are oblong and black.

Ayurveda

• Bacopa is an important herb in ayurveda, which is traditional Indian medicine. It has various uses in ayurveda, including the treatment of scabies and as an aphrodisiac. It is also used to treat ulcers and as a laxative.

Memory

• In Western medicine, bacopa has been shown to have positive effects on the memory. It can help increase the retention rate of new information.