Ingredient profile
Brahmi
Bacopa monnieri
A creeping wetland herb traditionally used to support memory and mental clarity.
- Hindi
- ब्राह्मी
- Sanskrit
- Brahmi
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
- Part used
- whole plant
Traditional use
Brahmi is a creeping herb with small, succulent leaves and white flowers that grows in damp, marshy ground.
In Ayurvedic tradition
Named after Brahma, the creator in Hindu tradition, brahmi is one of the best-known medhya herbs, traditionally used to support memory and mental clarity.
Ayurvedic properties
- Rasa (taste): Bitter, astringent, sweet
- Guna (qualities): Light
- Virya (potency): Cooling
- Vipaka (post-digestive effect): Sweet
- Effect on the doshas: Balances all three doshas
How it is traditionally taken
The whole herb is used as a powder, in capsules, or prepared in ghee or oil.
Safety notes
May not suit sensitive stomachs on an empty stomach. Consult a practitioner if you take medication. Use as directed on the product label. This profile is for general education and is not medical advice.
References
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (monograph: Brahmi) pharmacopoeia