Brahmi: Benefits, Uses, and Healing Properties

Brahmi, or Bacopa monnieri in botanical terms, is a herb that is known in Ayurveda as the "Herb of Grace." People often dedicate it to Lord Brahma and Goddess Saraswati. Brahmi is the name for it in Sanskrit, and it is connected to mental clarity, wisdom, and renewal.

In 2023, Brahmi extract was worth about USD 295 million on the global herbal supplement market. By 2030, it is expected to be worth almost twice as much, growing at a rate of about 9.4% per year. This shows how much people care about natural remedies like Brahmi.

In this blog, we will explore the health benefits, uses and properties of Brahmi.

What is Brahmi & Its Ayurvedic Properties?

The Charaka Samhita and other ancient Ayurvedic texts talk about using Brahmi to treat anxiety, insomnia, epilepsy, and mental fatigue. Brahmi might be just what you need if you want to feel more focused, calm, and balanced in a natural way.

Ayurveda describes each herb based on a few key properties that help you understand how it works for your body.

• Taste (Rasa): The taste of Brahmi is a little bitter and astringent. These flavours may not taste sweet, but they are good for calming your nerves and lowering the body's extra heat.
• Qualities (Guna): It is known to be light (laghu) and slightly oily (snigdha). This means it is easy to digest and helps moisturise dry tissues in the body, especially the nervous system.
• Potency (Virya): Brahmi is cooling in nature (shita virya). So if you feel mentally restless, overheated, or emotionally agitated, it helps calm and soothe your system.
• Post-Digestive Effect (Vipaka): After digestion, Brahmi gives a sweet effect (madhura vipaka), which supports nourishment and strength.

Brahmi Benefits for Your Health

Brahmi is more than just a brain herb; it helps your whole body in many ways. Brahmi can help you if you're mentally tired, emotionally stressed, or just want to stay sharp and balanced. Let's look at the best Brahmi benefits from both modern and Ayurvedic points of view.

Improves Memory and Helps the Brain Work Better

Ayurvedic View: Brahmi is a Medhya Rasayana in Ayurveda, which means it helps you remember things and think more clearly. It balances Vata dosha, which can make you forget things, think too much, or not pay attention.

Modern View: Studies have shown that using Brahmi on a regular basis may help with learning, remembering things, and mental performance. Bacosides are the active compounds in Brahmi that help brain cells communicate better.

Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Ayurvedic View: According to Ayurveda, an imbalance in Vata is what causes most anxiety. Brahmi calms your nervous system and makes you feel cool and calm. It helps you sleep better, calms your racing thoughts, and makes you feel emotionally stable.

Modern View: Brahmi is a natural adaptogen, which means it helps your body deal with stress better. Studies have shown that it can lower cortisol levels (the hormone that makes you stressed) and make anxiety symptoms less severe, which can help you think more clearly.

Helps You Sleep Better

Ayurvedic View: A restless mind and aggravated Vata are often to blame for poor sleep. Brahmi helps your mind and nervous system relax, which makes it easier for you to fall asleep naturally without feeling anxious.

Modern View: Brahmi may help raise serotonin levels, which are good for healthy sleep patterns. People who take Brahmi on a regular basis often say that they sleep better and feel more fresh in the morning.

Increases Immunity and Physical Strength

Ayurvedic View: Brahmi helps your body's overall ojas (vital energy) and makes it harder for infections and illnesses to target you. It also cleans out toxins from your body and keeps you healthy for a long time.

Modern View: Brahmi is full of antioxidants that help protect your cells from damage and boost your immune system. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which could help if you're tired or have long-term inflammation.

Good for Your Skin and Hair

Ayurvedic Perspective: Brahmi is good for your hair and skin health. It helps Rasa dhatu, which is the fluid tissue that controls the health of your hair and skin. Brahmi oil also helps with dryness and dandruff.

Modern View: Brahmi is used in a lot of hair and skin care products today because it helps fix hair fall, makes hair grow faster, and makes your skin look better. It helps with acne, itchy scalp, and ageing skin because of its antimicrobial and cooling nature.

Brahmi for Specific Health Conditions

Apart from improving memory and reducing stress, Brahmi also helps with a number of specific health problems that many people face today. If you're dealing with chronic conditions or simply want natural support for your overall health, Brahmi might offer gentle but effective help.

Brahmi for Thyroid Health

If you often feel anxious, restless, or tired along with thyroid imbalance, Brahmi may help. These are common signs of an overactive thyroid, which Ayurveda says is usually caused by too much Vata. Brahmi's calming and cooling properties help balance this energy and reduce symptoms.

Brahmi for Blood sugar and Diabetes

More and more people are worried about how to control their blood sugar naturally, and Brahmi may help. People with diabetes often have oxidative stress, and Brahmi is believed to improve your metabolism and lower oxidative stress.

Brahmi for Seizures and Epilepsy

Ayurveda calls epilepsy Apasmara, which means it affects all three doshas. Brahmi is one of the most important herbs for controlling seizure activity because it balances Vata and promotes Medhya (intellect). When used regularly under the guidance of a Jiva expert, it can help calm the nervous system and reduce epilepsy episodes.

Who Should Use Brahmi?

Brahmi is a useful herb that can help people of all ages and different health needs. Brahmi can help you stay healthy in natural ways, whether you're a busy parent, a growing child, or an older person. Let's see how it helps different people.

Brahmi for Women

Brahmi can be a great help if you're a woman who has to balance work, family, and emotional responsibilities. It helps you deal with stress, keeps your hormones in check, and keeps your mind calm and focused. Brahmi can also help women who have trouble sleeping or mood swings, especially during PMS or menopause.

Brahmi for Children

Brahmi is safe for kids when taken in small amounts that are right for their age. Brahmi can help your child remember things and pay attention better if they have trouble doing so in school or feel mentally tired. Before giving your child any herbs, you should always talk to a Jiva Ayurveda expert.

Brahmi for Older People / Seniors

Brahmi is a great choice for older adults who want to keep their minds sharp and their emotions in check. It can help keep your mood stable and stop memory problems that come with age. Brahmi helps with problems that seniors often have, like insomnia, confusion, and forgetfulness, by calming the nerves and nourishing the brain.

Can Brahmi Be Taken with Other Medicines?

Brahmi is generally safe when taken in the right amount, but just like any herb, you should be careful if you're already on other medicines. If you're taking medicines for anxiety, depression, epilepsy, thyroid, or blood pressure, it's best to talk to a Jiva expert before adding Brahmi to your routine.

Brahmi can help you relax and boost your brain, making you feel even sleepier or drowsier. It could also lower blood pressure or affect how your thyroid hormones work, so it's important to keep a close eye on your health.

Is Brahmi Safe? Who Should Avoid It?

When taken in small to moderate amounts, Brahmi is usually safe. However, being careful at the right times can help you use it safely and avoid side effects you don't want.

Most people tolerate Brahmi well. However, in some cases, you might experience mild issues like:

• Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Stomach discomfort
• Drowsiness 

You should avoid Brahmi if:

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding (unless advised by an expert)
• You have very low blood pressure
• You already feel excessively drowsy from other medicines

If you feel uneasy or notice any unusual reaction after starting Brahmi, stop taking it immediately and speak with a certified Jiva Ayurveda expert.

Brahmi vs Other Ayurvedic Herbs

Brahmi is renowned for its unique cooling nature and strong support for brain function, but how does it compare to other Ayurvedic herbs? Let us compare Brahmi with two other commonly used herbs: Ashwagandha and Shankhpushpi.

Brahmi vs Ashwagandha

Brahmi vs Shankhpushpi

Conclusion

Your daily life can make you feel tired, scattered and emotionally off. That's where a natural herb like Brahmi can help you. This herb isn't a quick fix, but a natural way to help your brain, calm your nerves, and improve your health from the roots.

Ayurveda has used Brahmi for thousands of years, and it still helps people today, whether they are students, working adults, parents, or seniors. But it's important to talk to a Jiva Ayurveda expert who understands your dosha, your way of life, and your health goals.

For personalised advice for any health concerns you are facing, call our Jiva experts today at 0129-4264323.

FAQs

What are the benefits of taking Brahmi?

Taking Brahmi in the right amount on a regular basis may help your memory, lower your stress, help you sleep better, and even boost your immune system. It also helps you relax and keeps your mind clear and focused.

Does Brahmi lower blood pressure?

Yes, Brahmi can help lower high blood pressure by reducing stress and relaxing your nervous system. But if you already take medicine for high blood pressure, talk to an Ayurvedic doctor before taking it.

Who shouldn't take Brahmi?

If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or already taking strong medicines for anxiety, epilepsy, or low blood pressure, you should stay away from Brahmi unless an Ayurvedic expert tells you to.

What vitamin is in Brahmi?

Brahmi is full of antioxidants and has small amounts of vitamins, such as vitamin C. It also protects your nerve cells from damage, which helps your brain stay healthy.

What is the best form of Brahmi?

It depends on your lifestyle and preference. Choose capsules if you want something that is easy to use. Brahmi tea is a great choice if you like herbal drinks. Brahmi oil is the best for taking care of hair and scalp.