Product Name: Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)

Family: Scrophulariaceae
Common Form: Whole Plant (Herb)

1. Synonyms

• Botanical Synonyms:
• Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Pennell
• Herpestis monniera (Linn.) H.B. & K.
• Other Names:
• Jalaneem (reflecting its water-loving nature)
• Nirabrahmi (to differentiate it from Centella asiatica, sometimes also called Brahmi)

2. Regional Names

3. Botanical Description

• Type: Creeping, succulent herb
• Stems: Root at nodes
• Leaves: Sessile, decussate (opposite and crossing); 0.6 to 2.5 cm long; obovate-oblong with dotted lower surface
• Flowers: Small (~8 mm), blue or white in color
• Fruit: Ovoid, about 5 mm
• Habitat: Commonly found near moist and wet environments
• Medicinal Part Used: Entire plant

4. Chemical Constituents

Major Phytochemicals:

• Alkaloids: Brahmine (resembles strychnine in action but less toxic), Herpestine
• Vitamins & Nutrients: Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), Nicotinic acid (Vitamin B3), Carbohydrates, Fats, Proteins
• Amino Acids: Alanine, Aspartic acid, Glutamic acid, Serine
• Other Compounds:
• Sugar Alcohol: D-mannitol
• Alkanes: Dotriacontane, Hentriacontane, Heptacosane, Nonacosane, Octacosane, Triacontane
• Flavonoids: Apigenin-7-glucuronide, Luteolin and its derivatives (7-glucuronide, 7-glucoside)
• Saponins:
• Monnierin
• Hersaponin
• Bacosides A & B – upon hydrolysis yield:
• Sugars: Arabinose, Glucose
• Sapogenins:
• Bacogenin A1
• Bacogenin A1 (20-R-epimer)
• Bacogenin A3
• Ebelin lactone (Bacogenin A)
• Triterpenes & Sterols:
• Betulic acid
• Stigmasterol and its esters
• β-Sitosterol

5. Properties and Therapeutic Uses

Pharmacological Properties:

• CNS tonic (nervine tonic)
• Diuretic
• Mild purgative
• Antiepileptic
• Antidepressant
• Adaptogen
• Anti-inflammatory (external)

Therapeutic Uses:

• Neurological & Psychological Disorders:
• Used as a brain tonic for enhancing memory, learning, and concentration
• Helpful in mental debility, depression, anxiety, and insomnia
• Used in management of epilepsy and psychotic disorders
• Respiratory Ailments:
• Fresh juice is administered to children with cough and cold (induces mild emesis and clears congestion)
• Musculoskeletal:
• Applied externally in rheumatic joint pains for its anti-inflammatory effects
• Voice Disorders:
• Used traditionally to manage hoarseness of voice

6. Dosage

Powder (Leaf) 0.5–1 g

Ref: Bhavaprakash Nighantu