Bacopa Monnieri, also known as Brahmi or water hyssop, is a traditional Ayurvedic medicine. It is a creeping and succulent herb that thrives in marshy areas. Specifically, this plant grows abundant in Nepal, Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka. It is important to note that Bacopa Monnieri should not be confused with Gotu Kola, another herb that is popular in the Philippines. Both herbs are called Brahmi.
This article will explain more about the traditional uses of Bacopa monniMeri in the Philippines.
Bacopa Monnieri’s Significance in the Philippine Culture
In the Filipino language, Bacopa Monnieri is called ulasimang-aso. In Ayurvedic texts, water hyssop is believed to boost mental acuity and minimize cognitive deficiencies. Here in the Philippines, Bacopa Monnieri is recognized for three main benefits: memory enhancer, neurological antioxidant, and brain cell protector.
Aside from its medicinal benefits, Bacopa monnieri is also a crowd favorite among aquatic plant enthusiasts. It is a high-quality aquarium plant despite being low-maintenance. This plant is also highly-recommended for beginners in the aquascaping hobby.
Ayurvedic Applications of Bacopa Monnieri
Bacopa Monnieri is also known as a Rasayana herb meaning it is an herb that has the potential to slow down aging, rejuvenate, protect against disease, and extend a person’s life.
Ayurvedic medicine utilizes the whole Bacopa Monnieri plant, from its leaves down to the roots. Bacopa Monnieri leaves were used to treat asthenia, a medical condition characterized by lack of strength. From the boiled roots and other aerial parts, a salve could be made to stop a child’s cough. Lastly, the juice was used to treat burns and reduce inflammation.
For the most part, Brahmi’s primary purpose was as a nerve tonic.
Bacopa Monnieri’s Role in Traditional Filipino Herbal Medicine
Traditional Filipino herbal medicine utilized Bacopa Monnieri three main forms: as food, as an ointment, or as beverage.
Bacopa Monnieri was turned to an ointment by extracting the juice from its leaves and blending them with carrier oils. Carrier oils are base or vegetable oils mixed with essential oils so it can be easily absorbed by the skin. It is believed that the ointment can help treat elephantiasis and rheumatism.
This nootropic herb could also be included in one’s diet. The leaves are edible and can be mixed with salads. You can also include it in soups or make pickles out of it.
Bacopa Monnieri tea has a bitter taste and should be taken with a sweetener such as honey or muscovado.
Bacopa Monnieri as a Memory Enhancer
The primary use of Bacopa Monnieri in Ayurvedic medicine is to help enhance the memory and aid in cognitive function. A study that used rats as subjects revealed that a certain dosage of the herb improved the spatial learning abilities and memory retention of adult rats.
In another experiment, 46 people were given 300 mg of water hyssop daily for 12 weeks. The results showed a remarkable speed in the 46 adults’ visual information processing, learning pace, and memory.
Lastly, in a study involving 60 elderly adults who were given 300-600 mg of Bacopa Monnieri standardized extract for a span of 12 weeks. At the end of the study, they observed that the elderly adults had better memory and attention.
Other Pharmacological Uses of Bacopa Monnieri
Aside from its effectiveness in improving cognitive functions, Bacopa Monnieri is also packed with antioxidants that can protect the cells from being damaged by free radicals. The primary active compounds of Bacopa Monnieri known as bacosides, have shown free radical neutralization capabilities and impedes the interaction of fat molecules to these free radicals. This action is essential in inhibiting cell damage that often leads to chronic diseases like diabetes, heart conditions, and cancer.
While there is still insufficient evidence to support both of these claims, Bacopa Monnieri is believed to aid in lessening the classic symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Some studies have already been conducted to verify this claim. A study done with 31 children ages 6-12 exhibited significantly decreased inattention and impulsivity in 85% of the participants.
Until now, more studies are being carried out to completely prove that Bacopa Monnieri can indeed help manage ADHD symptoms.
Key Takeaway
Bacopa Monnieri holds a lot of promise since science hasn’t yet unlocked its full potential. All its applied uses today come from the Ayurvedic literature that is available. Herbal medicines are popular in the Philippines since it is part of our culture. That is why it is no surprise that Bacopa Monnieri is slowly being recognized as a reliable herb for boosting the memory, strengthening the learning rate and enhancing the recall process.
It is possible that there are other ways to use Bacopa Monnieri as a supplement. However, beginners may use the herb following the traditional uses of Bacopa Monnieri in the Philippines. Once they have ascertained that it has a positive effect on them, they can use it in other ways not mentioned in this article.