Bacopa leaf is a perennial, creeping herb native to the wetlands of southern and Eastern India, Australia, Europe, Africa, Asia, and North and South America
Contents
Uses
- Bacopa has been used in traditional Ayurvedic treatment for epilepsy and asthma. It is also used in Ayurveda for ulcers, tumors, ascites, enlarged spleen, inflammations, leprosy, anemia, and gastroenteritis
Benefits
- Improves Mental Function: Taking bacopa may help to improve your mental performance and cognitive function. Bacopa leaves contain bacosides, which can improve learning, memory and overall mental function, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Bacopa promotes new nerve production, helps to mend damaged nerve cells and improves nerve signals. According to Drug Digest, different animal studies have found that bacopa can improve learning ability and memory, but human studies haven’t yielded the same positive results. A study of healthy individuals who took bacopa for three months found that the accuracy of their memory improved, and small studies of children in India found that taking 1,000 milligrams per day of bacopa improved memory, reaction time and observation. But another study of 76 people aged 40 to 65 years found that taking bacopa had no impact on restoring memory and only slight improvement in retaining new information.
- Eases Depression and Anxiety: If you have depression or anxiety, taking bacopa could help. Bacopa boosts the effects of certain neurotransmitters, including serotonin and acetylcholine, states the University of Michigan Health System. This effect on neurotransmitters is what enables bacopa to decrease depression and anxiety symptoms. According to Drug Digest, animal studies of bacopa’s effectiveness in treating anxiety and depression have produced positive results, finding that bacopa was nearly as effective as common prescription anti-anxiety medications, but without the side effects. Some human studies failed to find any anti-anxiety benefits from taking bacopa, however.
- Prevents & Treats Stomach Ulcers: Bacopa might help in preventing and healing stomach ulcers, as well as protecting your gastrointestinal tract. Bacopa stimulates production of mucus in the gastrointestinal tract and appears to protect stomach cells, Drug Digest reports. Another action that helps to prevent and treat ulcers is bacopa’s ability to relax the muscles that control the intestinal blood vessels, according to animal studies cited by the University of Michigan Health System.
- Treats Respiratory Conditions: Bacopa may help to treat or relieve your symptoms of certain respiratory ailments, including allergies and asthma. Bacopa relaxes the bronchioles, which often become inflamed or irritated from respiratory conditions. Bacopa extracts also relax the blood vessel muscles around the respiratory airway passages, notes the University of Michigan Health System.
Cautions
- Bacopa extract is POSSIBLY SAFE for adults when taken by mouth appropriately and short-term, up to 12 weeks. Common side effects include increased bowel movements, stomach cramps, nausea, dry mouth, and fatigue.
- Special Precautions & Warnings:
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking Bacopa if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
- Slow heart rate (bradycardia): Bacopa might slow down the heart beat. This could be a problem in people who already have a slow heart rate.
- Gastrointestinal tract blockage: Bacopa might cause “congestion” in the intestines. This might cause problems in people who have a blockage in their intestines.
- Ulcers: Bacopa might increase secretions in the stomach and intestines. There is concern that this could worsen ulcers.
- Lung conditions: Bacopa might increase fluid secretions in the lung. There is concern that this could worsen lung conditions such as asthma or emphysema.
- Thyroid disorders: Bacopa might increase levels of thyroid hormone. Bacopa should be used cautiously or avoided if you have a thyroid condition or take thyroid hormone medications.
- Urinary tract obstruction: Bacopa might increase secretions in the urinary tract. There is concern that this could worsen urinary obstruction.
Other Names
Andri, Bacopa, Bacopa monniera, Bacopa monnieri, Herb of Grace, Herpestis Herb, Herpestis monniera, Hysope d’Eau, Indian Pennywort, Jalanimba, Jal-Brahmi, Jalnaveri, Nira-Brahmi, Moniera cuneifolia, Sambrani Chettu, Thyme-Leave Gratiola, Water Hyssop
References
Source:
Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacopa_monnieri
LiveStrong, http://www.livestrong.com/article/128772-benefits-bacopa/
Image source: https://restorative-remedies.com