Health benefits of Brahmi

Native to tropical environments and wetlands, Brahmi or Bacopa monnieri is a creeping herbal plant found in Eastern and Southern India, Europe, Australia, Africa, America, and Asia.

There are plenty of health benefits of Brahmi, such as enhancing memory, treating epilepsy, and alleviating anxiety and stress, promoting hair growth, among various other benefits.

This article lets you know the different methods of using Brahmi, its significant health benefits, precautions, and people who should avoid using it.

There are various beneficial factors of Brahmi in Ayurvedic medicine. They are:

1. Improves brain functioning

For hundreds of years, Brahmi has been believed to improve the brain’s functioning by modulating the chemicals related to concentration, memory power, and learning.

Alzheimer’s disease is a severe neurodegenerative condition that leads to memory loss in elderly individuals. The neuro-protective functionality of Brahmi may work effectively to treat people with Alzheimer’s, memory loss, and various other conditions related to cognitive health disorders.

2. Reduces anxiety and stress

Having a high level of fear, anxiety, and stress for a long time can severely affect the mental and physical health of an individual. In addition, it can cause various anxiety ailments such as panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and so on.

Ayurvedic physicians consider Brahmi a nerve tonic that can reduce stress levels considerably. Furthermore, intake of Brahmi syrup is effective in lessening the level of anxiety and tension among individuals.

3. Acts as a great antioxidant

Containing a good amount of antioxidants, Brahmi leaves have the power to protect you from a range of diseases and health conditions. An antioxidant is a highly beneficial compound that protects damaged cells caused by harmful molecules known as free radicals.

Also called oxidative stress, this can result in various ailments like heart diseases, stroke, and arthritis, in addition to respiratory issues, weakened immune systems, and even cancer. The antioxidant properties of Brahmi may work effectively to prevent these health issues.

4. Reduces ADHD symptoms

Many children across the world have been affected by ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. They are considered as inattentive, impulsive, and hyperactive. Several health benefits of Brahmi signify that it helps in lessening the symptoms related to ADHD.

According to scientific research, consuming Brahmi helped combat issues such as restlessness, inattention, etc., among participants. Other studies showed that Brahmi helps boost attention and cognitive skills.

5. Helps in hair growth

Rich in hair-stimulating nutrients, including Vitamin C, flavonoids, saponins, etc., Brahmi oil reinforces the hair roots while reducing hair fall. In addition, the alkaloid substance in Brahmi oil strengthens the hair follicles by supporting them with the needed protein and preventing them from falling.

While dandruff is chiefly caused by scaly or excessively oily scalp, applying Brahmi oil to the scalp protects it from turning too oily or dry. It thus lessens the chances of dandruff occurrence. The herb also relaxes and cools your scalp. The cooling effect of Brahmi also makes it an excellent solution to ease anxiety and stress, thereby promoting healthy hair growth.

6. Lowers blood pressure

Undoubtedly, high blood pressure is a major health concern as it affects both your blood vessels and heart. As a result, it will gradually deteriorate your heart’s health and increase the chances of heart disease. As per research, consuming Bramhi regularly in a prescribed dosage can help maintain the normal level of blood pressure.

7. Cures insomnia

Insomnia or sleeplessness is another distressing disease in which the concerned individual cannot sleep soundly. This is caused by panic, anxiety, or stress. Daily life stress, untimely sleeping habits, and consumption of unhealthy foods can disturb sleep and cause insomnia or other sleep disorders. However, when you consume Brahmi, it will reduce your anxiety and stress to ensure a comfortable sleep.

8. Lessens inflammation

One of the essential benefits of Brahmi is its anti-inflammatory qualities. Inflammation refers to our body's natural response to fight against various diseases. However, chronic inflammation can often be problematic as it causes many harmful diseases, including cancer, heart conditions, diabetes, and so on.

9. Improves respiratory health

One of the most notable health benefits of Brahmi is that it helps in bettering respiratory health. Chewing the leaves or consuming them by mixing with tea will enhance your respiratory health. Brahmi is applied in numerous Ayurvedic treatments for bronchitis, cold, congestion, and sinus. It clears out excess mucus and phlegm, thereby reducing the inflammation in the respiratory tract.

10. Enhances the immune system

Strong immunity is important in every individual since it protects the body from numerous diseases and harmful microbes. If you consume this herb regularly, it will help you improve your immunity. Moreover, its antioxidant compounds make the response time of the immune system quicker against bacteria or viruses.

11. Helps in the treatment of diabetes

One of the best benefits of Brahmi is its contribution to the treatment of diabetes. Patients having diabetes can intake Brahmi. It is widely known for managing the blood sugar level in patients and helps improve symptoms of hypoglycemia.

12. Fights swelling and redness

Any irritation in the body can lead to swelling, redness, pain and itching. Research indicates that Brahmi is helpful in curing this type of swelling and redness in the body and brain.

Furthermore, from this research, it is also observed that Brahmi is effective in reducing chronic pain caused due to autoimmune ailments. Therefore, Brahmi is ideal to consume for people suffering from arthritis, back pain, and rheumatism.

Following are some common uses of Brahmi:

• Make Brahmi paste and apply it all over your body to make your skin lively and healthy. You can also mix some Brahmi powder with clean water to get the paste of it.
• If you are an adult, ingest Brahmi powder up to 2-3 grams along with meals to get rid of chronic conditions like hypertension, joint pain, diabetes, etc.
• For children, small doses of Brahmi powder mixed with ghee, honey, and some water is great to boost brain power and immunity.
• You can also take powdered or paste form of Brahmi with milk that works wonderfully to boost the brain’s functionality.
• Consuming Brahmi tablets or capsules is undeniably the easiest way to enjoy its health benefits.
• Choosing liquid form or Brahmi juice available in stores is also a great option to consume it and get faster results.
• Prepare a mixture of Brahmi and Amla powder in castor and olive oil. Start applying the oil onto the scalp. Let it rest for around one hour and then rinse with shampoo. This will promote your hair growth and increase hair thickness, reduce dandruff, and stop scalp dryness.
• There are ways you can use Brahmi for cooking different dishes and get its health benefits.

Just like other herbs, Brahmi also has some negative effects if consumed too much. Some problems you may come across include:

• Nausea
• Stomach upset
• Slow heartbeat
• Gastrointestinal tract blockage
• Improper bowel movement
• Urinary tract blockage
• Fatigue
• Drowsiness
• Diarrhoea

Following are the precautionary measures that an individual must take while using Brahmi:

• Individuals suffering from asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease must stay away from consuming Brahmi as it can worsen the disease.
• Persons having slow heart rate must avoid Brahmi as it may reduce it even further.

Although Brahmi has plenty of benefits, there are some groups of people who must avoid having it. They include:

• Persons suffering from heart problem
• People having severe thyroid conditions
• Anyone with a gastrointestinal tract blockage
• People having stomach ulcers
• Individuals having urinary tract blockage

Like other Ayurvedic herbs Brahmi is also known for its healing powers in the treatment of various diseases. Now that you have an idea about the benefits of Brahmi, you can use this valuable plant extensively. Also, you must avoid excess use to stay away from its side effects. Additionally, you must consult a doctor if you face any of the side effects stated above.