Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennel)
Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennel)
- Local name: Brahmi (Hindi)
- Habitat: Found all over India, particularly in marshy land
- Part used: Whole plant
- General description: Brahmi is a perennial, creeping herb that grows widely in wetlands and muddy shores. The leaves are succulent, thick, and arranged oppositely on the stem. Small flowers grow in leaf axils and are blue, purple, or white, measuring 8–10 mm and are obscurely 2-lipped. Seeds are yellow-brown, ellipsoid, truncate at one end, and longitudinally channeled. Flowering occurs during May to October.
Uses of Brahmi:
- Memory enhancer: 8–10 crushed fresh leaves or 3 gm of Brahmi powder in water with sugar and milk enhances memory and learning skills.
- Mental fatigue: Juice of Brahmi leaves (1–2 spoons) with ghee and honey, taken twice daily, helps reduce stress and anxiety.
- High blood pressure: One spoon of Brahmi juice, taken twice daily, lowers high blood pressure.
- Epilepsy: 20 ml of Brahmi juice with milk or cow’s ghee, taken twice daily, helps in managing epilepsy (as an add-on to regular medication).
