Bacopa Monnieri

Bacopa Monnieri is a medicinal herb that is native to India. It is a perennial herb, also called herb of grace, water hyssop, or Brahimi. Bacopa is being used in India Ayurvedic medicine to promote healthy body functions. It is a creeping water-loving plant which grows in wetlands and tropical areas. It was used to improve memory-retention and to enhance brain cell regeneration in people with Alzheimer’s disease [1].

The herb was popular in ancient India due to its ability to aid cognitive abilities. It was used by the Hindus to dedicate new born-babies believing it would make the babies more knowledgeable. Bacopa was first described around 6 AD by some indigenous scholars [2]. The herb can also be found in some parts of Asia and Central America. Though most of these claims are yet to be substantiated by scientific but its potential benefits have attracted scientists’ interest.      

Memory Enhancement

Research suggests that Bacopa aid memory retention and acquisition in geriatric people when given 300mg of the extract for 12 weeks. It was further observed that the herb could improve visual memory. Studies reported that the herb is safe for aiding cognitive ability [3]. The herb is not only safe for use in adults but also in children [2]. It was believed to aid memory retention by supporting cholinergic upregulation and modulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). But solid clinical studies to affirm its traditional use is still not convincing [4]. Alcoholic extract of the herb supports cognitive functions.

Calmness & Mood Support

In folk medicine, the herb has been used to promote calming effects in anxious people. The herb has been useful in supporting calming function in people with the anxiety-stress disorder. Research reported that the extract improved calming effect in healthy individuals when it was given for 6 weeks. 450mg of the extract taken daily for 12 weeks has some desirable impact on patients with a psychiatric disorder like anxiety [2]. The herb aids in the proper functioning of the hypothalamus when under stress. Research carried out on rats supported this claim [5]. It is an adaptogenic herb, meaning that it supports the body against stress. It also discourages the production of cortisol (a hormone linked to stress) [9].

Immune Health & Antioxidant Activity

The extract promotes the calming response of cells in the body and brain. Bacopa helps in promoting the mopping up of free radicals; its ability to do this is dose-dependent. The herb aids normal cell response by preventing the release of cytokines. It also ensures normal cell response in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Its action to promotes normal cell response in rheumatoid arthritis is due to its significant role in inhibiting protein denaturation. It has a 90.34% protein inhibition, which signifies it has a great effect against rheumatoid arthritis. Studies also reported that flavonoid, triterpenoid, and other substances are responsible for its action against arthritis [6]. The herb contains bacoside, a constituent that aids mopping up of free radicals. Lipids react with free radicals through a process called lipid peroxidation. Lipid peroxidation has been implicated in some neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and others. Research shows that the herb extract can suppress the process, thereby discouraging brain cell degeneration [9].

Healthy Breathing

Histamine has been implicated in causing the allergy. Extract of Bacopa has been reported to stabilize mast cells, thereby reducing the amount of histamine released. In an experiment, the extract was seen to promote bronchodilation in rat studies, thus validating its use as an anti-asthmatic agent in Indian folk medicine. The extract's ability to promote bronchodilation has been traced to its action on the beta-adrenoceptor [8].

Healthy Cell Replication

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world. With the rising cases of cancer worldwide, people have turned to traditional medicine as alternatives. The herb’s extract was noticed to promote healthy replication of cells. Phytosterol has been implicated as the active constituent here. Phytosterols are natural compounds that promote healthy replication of cells. Stigmasterol is the phytosterol isolated from the aerial part of the plant. The herb’s extract was seen to discourage unhealthy replication of unhealthy cells [10]. Another mechanism of action of the extract was found to be apoptosis [11]. The extract may also promote the normal functioning of the heart in patients with high blood pressure.  

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