Bacopa & Anxiety

Anxiety is a common ailment in modern society, but some people suffer from anxiety to such a degree that it affects their ability to live their lives in a normal and healthy way. When anxiety becomes this extreme, a patient is often diagnosed as having an anxiety disorder. Sometimes, people who think they are depressed are actually suffering from anxiety and may benefit from taking anti-anxiety medication. Though there are pharmaceutical options for treating anxiety, people may also choose from a number of natural treatment options. Bacopa is one of a variety of herbal and supplemental treatments suggested by naturopaths and herbal specialists for the treatment of anxiety.

Anxiety Symptoms

• Knowing the symptoms of anxiety is important in order to correctly identify your condition. If you are uncertain whether you are suffering from anxiety or another mental disorder, you should consult a physician, psychologist or other mental health expert to help correctly identify your condition. Only once a diagnosis has been made can you choose the best treatment option for your personal situation. Symptoms of anxiety include fatigue, trouble sleeping, stomach pain, digestive problems, sweating, a racing heart and irritation, according to the University of Michigan Health System.

Bacopa

• Bacopa, also known as Brahmi or water hyssop, is native to marshy areas of India. It is familiar in western areas of the world as a water plant and is frequently used in aquariums. Though most parts can be used, modern preparations are usually made from extracts of the stem and leaves of the bacopa plant. Ayurvedic medicine practitioners have used bacopa for several centuries for a variety of health conditions including asthma, epilepsy and mental disorders.

Function

• Bacopa leaves contain saponins, chemical compounds found in plants with a variety of health benefits for humans. Bacosides are a specific type of saponin found in bacopa leaves; it is this substance which is thought to be responsible for bacopa's actions within the human body. Studies on bacopa have found that the herb enhances mental function, increases learning ability, reduces depression and anxiety, and protects brain cells through its antioxidant properties, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Other functions of bacopa include healing and preventing ulcers and relaxing muscles of the respiratory system and intestines.

Dosage

• Traditional Ayurvedic medicine suggests dosages between five to 10 grams per day in the form of a powdered herb. Research done on the effectiveness of bacopa has generally used dosages between 300 to 450 mg per day of a bacopa supplement standardized to 55 percent bacosides, according to the University of Michigan Health System. You should follow the dosage instructions on the bottle when taking bacopa, or consult a physician for further information on the correct dosage in individual cases.

Side Effects

• Bacopa has few side effects when taken as recommended. Some side effects which may occur in some people include dry mouth, nausea and increased muscle fatigue. Drug interactions are possible between bacopa and Perphenazine, Prochlorperazine and Thioridazine, all pharmaceutical medications used in the treatment of various psychiatric disorders. You should not take bacopa if you are currently on one of these medications.

Taking Bacopa

• Bacopa is taken on a daily basis, often divided into two or three doses over the course of a day. Bacopa, much like pharmaceutical medications, may take some time to start working. Results should be seen after 12 weeks of regular therapy with bacopa, though the time needed for symptom relief to begin will likely vary from one individual to the next.