Named after Brahma, the God of creation, Brahmi is a powerful herb with significant health benefits. From treating Alzheimer’s to reducing stress, Brahmi is a perennial, creeping herb, that grows in marshy wetlands and is indigenous to India, but now, it grows throughout the tropical regions. It is an edible plant with small, oval-shaped juicy leaves, which grow on a soft furry stem. The plant branches out horizontally over the ground and grows to a maximum height of 6 inches. Brahmi also blooms small white-purple flowers with four or five petals and produces an oval-shaped fruit.
The herb is enriched with several bio-chemical compounds including brahmine, herpestine, flavonoids, saponins, sterols, alkaloids, betulic acid, stimastorol, betasitosterol, bacoside and bacopasaponins. With these inherent ingredients, Brahmi is highly valued in Ayurveda as a brain tonic, an aphrodisiac and as a stress reliever.
Alternate Name
Bacopa monnieri ,Brahmi,Valaarai (Tamil), Timare (Kannada), Lunuwila (Sinhalese, Sri Lanka), Kleines Fettblatt (German), Jiǎ mǎ chǐ xiàn (Chinese), ʻaeʻae (Hawaiian), Rau Đắng (Vietnamese) Other names: gotu kola, centella, centella asiatica, hydrocotyle, Indian pennywort, luei g
FAQ’s
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Can I give Brahmi to my kids? Above what age is it fine?Yes, it can easily be given to kids but in prescribed quantity only as : For children from 5 – 12 years of age, Brahmi powder / capsule can be given easily in a dose of 250 mg per day or Brahmi powder – 1 gram per day, after food at night. For 12 – 18 years of age –Brahmi extract capsule – 250 mg, once or twice a day, after food. Powder – up to 2 grams per day.
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Is Brahmi same as Gotukola?Although both Brahmi and Gotu kola affect the central nervous system, reduce stress, enhance immune function, and improve the health of the skin but there are few differences between the two herbs. For example, Firstly they are not taken in the same dose and each possesses other benefits and side effects. Secondly Gotu kola is considered a general tonic for mental function whereas Brahmi is have a more specific action in treating mental disturbances such as anxiety, epilepsy, and insanity.
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What are the main side effects of Brahmi?Yes, it does have some side effects when taken then prescribed like increased bowel movements, stomach cramps, nausea, dry mouth, and fatigue.
Benefitting Actions
Antioxidants are man-made or natural substances that may prevent or delay cell damage. Antioxidants do this by slowing or preventing the effect of chemicals called free radicals which cause cell damage. Free radicals are formed naturally in the body or by environmental factors and are a result of oxygen metabolism.
Chronic inflammation can be a source of much discomfort and pain and lead to the onset of inflammatory diseases. Reducing inflammation Herbs like ginger, cinnamon, cayenne, garlic, black pepper, clove, and turmeric possess anti-inflammatory properties which provide relief from inflammatory pain.
Health Condition
Depression is a disorder in the mind that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest leading to numerous physical and emotional problems. To be diagnosed as suffering from depression, a person needs to be in that state for at least two weeks. Psychotherapy and medications are some of the ways to treat patients with depression.
Stress is the feeling we experience under pressure. When we feel stressed our pulse rate rises, blood pressure rises, digestive system slows down, muscles become weak and there is a heightened state of awareness. Stress can lead to feelings of anxiety, anger, depression and lead to the development of chronic diseases as well.