Bacopa monnieri, commonly known as water hyssop, is an herb often used in Ayurveda.
- Although requiring a long time to take effect (4-6 weeks), bacopa reliably and effectively improves memory in both healthy persons and during cognitive decline.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
- Bacopa has been shown to have various benefits in the treatment of epilepsy such as reducing convulsion occurrence. [7] [8]
- Bacopa monnieri was shown to be effective at reducing the biochemical effects of a perceived stress. It is protective against acute and chronic stress as well. [9] [10] [11]
- Bacopa monnieri supplementation can reduce damage from aluminum, iron, and mercury. In general, Bacopa monnieri appears to protect the brain from the damage induced by excessive mineral status.[12] [13] [14] [15]
- Bacopa monnieri exerts a neurological anti-aging effect. Additionally, studies suggest that Bacopa monnieri may be a therapeutic approach to Alzheimer's.[16] [17] [18] [19]
- Bacopa monnieri triggers over 40% increase in concentration of thyroid hormone T4 (with T3 not being significantly affected). [20]
The standard dose for Bacopa monnieri is 300mg, assuming that the total bacoside content (the active compound) is 55% of the extract, by weight.
Bacopa monnieri can also be supplemented in a leaf or powder form. To achieve the ideal 10-20% of bacoside content requires a dose of 750-1,500mg of the leaf or powder. This option is not as good as taking capsules because they completely mask unpleasant taste of this supplement.
Since Bacopa monnieri is fat-soluble and requires a lipoid transporter to be absorbed, it should be taken with food.
- Dietary fatty acids enhance absorption of Bacopa
Bacopa extract is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth appropriately. Common side effects include increased bowel movements, stomach cramps, nausea, dry mouth, and fatigue.
- Bacopa might slow down the heart beat. This could be a problem in people who already have a slow heart rate.
- Bacopa might cause "congestion" in the intestines. This might cause problems in people who have a blockage in their intestines.
- Bacopa might increase secretions in the stomach and intestines. There is concern that this could worsen ulcers.
- Bacopa might increase fluid secretions in the lung. There is concern that this could worsen lung conditions such as asthma or emphysema.
- Bacopa might increase secretions in the urinary tract. There is concern that this could worsen urinary obstruction.
[1] Roodenrys S, et al. Chronic effects of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) on human memory. Neuropsychopharmacology (2002)
[2] Stough C, et al. The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects. Psychopharmacology (Berl) (2001)
[3] Morgan A, Stevens J. Does Bacopa monnieri improve memory performance in older persons? Results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. J Altern Complement Med (2010)
[4] Stough C, et al. Examining the nootropic effects of a special extract of Bacopa monniera on human cognitive functioning: 90 day double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial. Phytother Res< (2008)
[5] Raghav S, et al. Randomized controlled trial of standardized Bacopa monniera extract in age-associated memory impairment. Indian J Psychiatry (2006)
[6] Pase MP, et al. The cognitive-enhancing effects of Bacopa monnieri: a systematic review of randomized, controlled human clinical trials. Altern Complement (2012)
[7] Mathew J, et al. Bacopa monnieri and Bacoside-A for ameliorating epilepsy associated behavioral deficits. Fitoterapia (2010)
[8] Shanmugasundaram ER, Akbar GK, Shanmugasundaram KR. Brahmighritham, an Ayurvedic herbal formula for the control of epilepsy. J Ethnopharmacol (1991)
[9] Chowdhuri DK, et al. Antistress effects of bacosides of Bacopa monnieri: modulation of Hsp70 expression, superoxide dismutase and cytochrome P450 activity in rat brain. Phytother Res (2002)
[10] Sheikh N, et al. Effect of Bacopa monniera on stress induced changes in plasma corticosterone and brain monoamines in rats. J Ethnopharmacol (2007)
[11] Rai D, et al. Adaptogenic effect of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi). Pharmacol Biochem Behav (2003)
[12] Sumathi T, et al. Protective Effect of Bacopa monniera on Methyl Mercury-Induced Oxidative Stress in Cerebellum of Rats. Cell Mol Neurobiol (2012)
[13] Tripathi YB, et al. Bacopa monniera Linn. as an antioxidant: mechanism of action. Indian J Exp Biol (1996)
[14] Jyoti A, Sethi P, Sharma D. Bacopa monniera prevents from aluminium neurotoxicity in the cerebral cortex of rat brain. J Ethnopharmacol (2007)
[15] Jyoti A, Sharma D. Neuroprotective role of Bacopa monniera extract against aluminium-induced oxidative stress in the hippocampus of rat brain. Neurotoxicology (2006)
[16] Rastogi M, et al. Amelioration of age associated neuroinflammation on long term bacosides treatment. Neurochem Res (2012)
[17] Viji, V. & Helen, A. Inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators: role of Bacopa monniera (L.) Wettst. Inflammopharmacol (2011)
[18] Shinomol GK, Muralidhara, Bharath MM. Exploring the role of "Brahmi" (Bocopa monnieri and Centella asiatica) in brain function and therapy. Recent Pat Endocr Metab Immune Drug Discov (2011)
[19] Dhanasekaran M, et al. Neuroprotective mechanisms of ayurvedic antidementia botanical Bacopa monniera. Phytother Res (2007)
[20] Kar A, Panda S, Bharti S Relative efficacy of three medicinal plant extracts in the alteration of thyroid hormone concentrations in male mice. J Ethnopharmacol (2002)