By Kallie Wilbourn |
Bacopi monniera, commonly known as water hyssop, is a creeping herb with small white flowers and succulent leaves. It grows mostly in marshy areas of Florida, as well as in Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan, and India, where it has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic and other traditional medical systems. It is easily propagated through cuttings, and will grow in water that is slightly brackish.
In Ayurvedic medicine the plant has been used for centuries in a dried form, called Brahmi, as an astringent, diuretic, laxative, and a tonic for the heart and nerves. It is also used to improve memory and intelligence, and to treat various illnesses: cough, dermatosis, dyspepsia, fever. It is also a remedy for serious conditions such as anemia, anorexia, arthritis (using a paste of the leaves externally), diabetes, dropsy (edema), and even insanity. Other traditional Indian medical systems use the herb to treat anxiety, asthma, and epilepsy.
In western medicine, Bacopa monniera is being researched primarily for its cognitive effects – for memory, learning, and concentration, in particular. Research already supports its effectiveness against anxiety, epilepsy, bronchitis and asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastric ulcers. It also has antioxidant properties that may protect against free radical damage.
Bacopa alkaloids, saponins (glycosoids in steroids), and sterols are considered responsible for its therapeutic properties. Many of these were isolated in Indian studies done over 40 years ago, and others have since been identified. Research shows that the Bacopa’s triterpenoid saponins and their bacosides enhance nerve function, which contributes to cognitive function. Bacosides also demonstrate antioxidant activity in the hippocampus, where loss of neuronal activity is observable in patient’s with Alzheimer’s disease. In animal studies, Bacopa is shown to scavenge reactive oxygen species in the brain (hence the anti-oxidant activity), and has a relaxant effect on pulmonary arteries, aorta, trachea, and ileal and bronchial tissue. There is also anti-inflammatory function, through inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis and lysosomal membrane stabilization. Fewer seizures have been noted in epileptic patients administered defatted ethanolic extract of Bacopa monniera over 2 to 5 months.
Clinical studies on cognitive function indicate that administration of Bacopa must be chronic to achieve consistent benefits. Children 10-13 showed IQ score improvement in a 9-month treatment, and in one study of 6 to 8 year olds, given 350 mg of dried herb three times daily for 3 months, a general improvement of intellectual function was noted. In an Australian controlled trial on adults, there was a significant improvement at the end of twelve weeks in verbal learning, memory consolidation, and speed of information processing.
Some studies have been inconclusive. A study that combined Brahmi (Bacopa’s dried, Ayurvedic form) with Gingko Biloba showed no effect on cognitive function; however, a significant effect was evident when Brahmi was administered in a test for retention of new information.
Bacopa seems to be very effective in relieving anxiety. In 1980, 35 adults suffering from anxiety were given 12 g of dried Bacopa daily, for four weeks. The herb not only relieved their anxiety significantly, but improved mental function and improved sleep quality and appetite.
All in all, Bacopa is very promising as an herbal remedy for relief of a variety of serious diseases and conditions, as well as for its effects on cognitive function.
As always, talk with your doctor/health care provider before using Bacopa.
References:
1. www.vitaminherbuniversity.com
2. Alternative Medicine Review, March, 2004 (http://findarticles.com)
3. www.wikipedia.com
4. www.clarocet.com/referencelibrary/bacopa/clinical.htm
