Bacopa Monieri: Rejuvenating Herb That Can Sharpen Your Mind, Reduce Anxiety And Improve Your Memory
In the wet marshlands of India grows a perennial succulent creeping herb with small green leaves. Its scientific name is Bacopa monnieri, although it is more commonly known in the West as 'herb-of-grace' or 'water hyssop'.
Bacopa monieri is what is known in Ayurvedic (ancient Indian) medicine as a 'rasayana' - a plant that helps prevent ageing and degeneration. In the case of Bacopa monieri, this is used specifically to help fight the effects of ageing on the brain.
Its benefits for maintaining brain health have been studied extensively. It is proving to be extremely effective as a brain stimulant - improving memory and cognitive abilities and helping to treat nervous tension, depression and stress.
These mind-enhancing properties make this herb particularly beneficial for those studying for exams, and also offers exciting potential in the treatment of serious memory disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Bacopa monieri plays a dual role in boosting memory and fighting stress
The two main active ingredients in Bacopa monieri - thought to be largely responsible for its memory-boosting benefits - are the plant chemicals Bacopaside A and Bacopaside B. These are well-known antioxidants that help protect the brain's memory centres from free radical damage.
In an animal study carried out at the Central Drug Research Institute in India, scientists found that the herb was able to significantly improve memory and cognitive abilities (Das A, Shanker G, Nath C et al. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2002; 73(4):893-900).
The researchers believe that Bacopa monieri works by increasing the memory-boosting chemical, acetylcholine, in the brain. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that carries messages between your brain cells and helps you retain new information.
In another animal study, researchers from the Industrial Toxicology Research Center in Lucknow, India, found that Bacopa monieri also possesses anti-stress properties. It helped to lower concentrations of stress-related chemicals, including superoxide dismutase, P450 and Hsp70.
These chemicals can quickly become unbalanced during times of stress, leaving you feeling less able to cope. By regulating levels of these chemicals in the brain, Bacopa monieri helps promote better memory, reaction times and learning during stressful periods (Chowdhuri DK, Parmar D, Kakker P et al. Phytother Res 2002;16(7):639-645).
Click here to send to a friendShare thisPrinter friendly version
