What Are the Uses of Bacopa Herb?

The herb bacopa is used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine for a variety of ailments, most of them related to cognitive function. In India, the entire plant is utilized, often ground into a powder form referred to as Brahmi. In the United States, it is typically sold as a tincture mixed with methanol. There are no known side effects of bacopa, and it is deemed safe for children.

Benefits

• Bacopa use may have originated in Southeast Asia, but it is now used around the world to enhance mental clarity, short-term memory function and intelligence. Children who take bacopa have shown increased IQ scores. It is used to treat ADD/ADHD, anxiety and mental fatigue, and it improves the quality of sleep. Chronic use of bacopa has been shown to reduce epileptic symptoms by up to 60 percent, including grand mal seizures. Bacopa treats disorders of the stomach and bowels such as irritable bowel syndrome and stomach ulcers. It cures as well as prevents gastric ulcers by killing the bacteria that causes them, H. pylori.

Traditional Use

• Ayurvedic medicine is one of the oldest medicinal systems in the world. It translates as "the science of life." It is currently the main method of medical treatment in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Pakistan. In Ayurveda, Brahmi is used for numerous ailments, including those discussed above; additionally, it is used as an astringent, a laxative, a diuretic and a cardiotonic. It is used to treat symptoms of diabetes, dyspepsia, fever, asthma, arthritis, bronchitis and even insanity.

Considerations

• There are not many side effects associated with bacopa; however, reactions to any substance depend on individual chemistry and physiology. The only reported side effect is a mild sedative effect, and thus bacopa should not be taken under the influence of any other sedative substances. Despite this, the sedation was not foglike; rather, mental clarity remained intact and the quality of rest was reported as high. Bacopa will not show any benefits until after 3 to 9 months of use, and the effects will remain for weeks upon stopping bacopa.

Research

• Unlike many herbs, bacopa has been researched extensively in the United States and abroad in humans and rats. Numerous test results have been published confirming the benefits of the herb. Findings published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology tested memory function and anxiety levels with bacopa with positive results. Testing in rats concluded that bacopa possesses the ability to reduce the effects of stress and trauma on the body and heal gastric ulcers. Bacopa had comparable effects to prescription depression medications.

Alzheimer's Disease/Cancer

• Research is being conducted to determine the effects of bacopa on Alzheimer's disease and cancer. While further research is needed, the active constituents in bacopa have been pinpointed as being the phytochemcial bacosides. These bacosides have antioxidant properties, enhance nerve impulse transmission and have the ability to repair damaged nerve cells. These findings are promising with regard to the treatment of both chronic diseases.