Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Penn.
Synonym Herpestis monnieria (Linn.) H. B. & K. Moniera cunefolia Michx.
Family Scrophulariaceae.
Habitat Throughout the plains of India in damp marshy areas.
English Thyme-leaved Gratiola.
Ayurvedic Braahmi, Aindri, Nirbraahmi, Kapotavankaa, Bhaarati, Darduradalaa, Matsyaakshaka, Shaaluraparni, Mandukaparni (also equated with Centella asiatica Linn., synonym Hydrocotyle asiatica Linn. Umbellferae, Apiaceae).
Unani Brahmi.
Siddha/TamiI Piramivazhukkai, Neerbrami.
Folk Jalaneem, Safed-Chammi.
Action Adaptogenic, astringent, diuretic, sedative, potent nervine tonic, anti-anxiety agent (improves mental functions, used in insanity, epilepsy), antispasmodic (used in bronchitis, asthma and diarrhoea).
Key application In psychic disorders and as a brain tonic. (The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia.) B. monnieri has been shown to cause prolonged elevated level of cerebral glutamic acid and a transient increase in GABA level. It is assumed that endogenous increase in brain glutamine may be helpful in the process of learning.
The herb contains the alkaloids brahmine, herpestine, and a mixture of three bases. Brahmine is highly toxic; in therapeutic doses it resembles strychnine. The herb also contains the saponins, monnierin, hersaponin, bacosides A and B. Bacosides A and B possess haemolytic activity. Hersaponin is reported to possess cardiotonic and sedative properties. It was found, as in case of reserpene, to deplete nor-adrenaline and 5-HT content of the rat brain.
An alcoholic extract of the plant in a dose of 50 mg/kg produced tranquilizing effect on albino rats and dogs, but the action was weaker than that produced by chlorpromazine.
Dosage Whole plant—1—2 g powder.