Herb of Grace, Brahmi, Smooth Water Hyssop
Bacopa monnieri

Family: Plantaginaceae

What it is like

Brahmi, Bacopa monnieri, is a tropical, perennial, non-aromatic herb used in Ayurveda medicine. It grows in rice fields and damp areas. Its leaves are succulent, oblong, thick, and arranged alternately. The flowers are small and white, with four to five petals. The leaves are edible - it can be eaten raw in mixed salads or cooked as a vegetable. Brahmi is considered to be of a high value herb due to its beneficial effects upon the nervous system. It is used as treatment for epilepsy, asthma, ulcers, tumors, gastroenteritis, ascites, enlarged spleen, anemia, inflammations, and leprosy. It is grown by stem cuttings.

Bacopa monnieri is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Bees, Insects. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid, very alkaline and saline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Height (m): 0.3

Where it is found

Mud flats in estuarine habitats. Moist and wet places, such as the borders of water channels, wells, irrigated fields etc.

Found through most of the tropics.

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Countries/locations it is found in

Found In: Africa, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Cambodia, Central America, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Guiana, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Laos, Madagascar, Mexico, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, SE Asia, South America*, USA, Vietnam, Virgin Islands.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Edible portion: Leaves, Flowers, Vegetable. The leaves can be eaten raw in mixed salads, or cooked as a vegetable, added to soups or pickled. The flowers are eaten in times of food shortage.

Medicine

Rating: 4

Brahmi is a very important Ayurvedic herb, being particularly valued for its beneficial effect upon the nervous system. Its main active substances are steroidal saponins, including bacosides. The whole plant is used - roots, stems and leaves. It is cardiac, nervine tonic, sedative and vasoconstrictor. The leaves and stalks are aperient and diuretic. An alcohol extract of the whole plant has been shown to have anticancer activity against Walker carcinoma. An alcohol extract of plant is a muscle relaxant and cardiovascular relaxant. Research in India suggests that brahmi improves mental function, memory and concentration, and also reduces learning time. The plant contains the alkaloid brahmine, which has been shown to raise blood pressure when administered in therapeutic dosage, but to be hypotensive when given in very strong dosage. A tranquilizing saponin that resembles reserpine is also present. The plant is used principally in the treatment of a range of nervous system disorders including neuralgia, hysteria, epilepsy, insanity, neurasthenia, aphonia and hoarseness. The plant is also taken internally in a number of other conditions including indigestion, ulcers, wind, constipation, asthma, bronchitis and infertility. A poultice made of the boiled plant is applied to the chests of children in the treatment of acute bronchitis and other coughs. A juice made from the plant is applied as a wash on burns.

Antiasthmatic: Treats asthma.

Antitussive: Prevents or relieves coughing.

Aperient: A mild laxative.

Cancer: Used in the treatment of cancer.

Cardiac: Used in the treatment of heart problems.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Epilepsy: Used in the treatment of Epilepsy - a disorder in which nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed, causing seizures.

Hypotensive: Reduces blood pressure, it is used in the treatment of high blood pressure

Infertility: Used in treating problems of human fertility.

Nervine: Stimulates and calms the nerves.

Sedative: Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.

Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Vasoconstrictor: Narrows the blood vessels, thereby increasing blood pressure.

Other

Rating: 1

Other uses rating: Low (1/5). Its ability to grow in water makes it a popular aquarium plant. Attractive to bees, butterflies and birds.

Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

Plants can be grown in warmer temperate climates through to tropical zones. Requires a wet soil to shallow water. Tolerant of saline conditions.

Propagating it: Seed - Division Softwood cuttings

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 8-11

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

The most commonly reported adverse side effects of Bacopa monnieri in humans are nausea, increased intestinal motility, and gastrointestinal upset.

Possibly invasive in India, Uttar Pradesh, Iraq, Yemenv, Mexico, Florida, Cayman Islands, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Peru, Portugal.

Its other names

Local names

Other Names: ae_ae, Brahmi, Brahmisak, Brithmi-sak, Herpestis, Kleines Fettblatt, Lunuwila, Neerbrahmi, Nira-brahmi, Niirpirami, Nirbrahmi, Nirubrahmi, Phak mi, Rau dang, Smau snao, Thyme leaved Gratiola, Timare.

Synonyms

Anisocalyx limnanthiflorus (L.) Hance Bacopa micromonnieria (Griseb.) B.L.Rob. Bacopa micromonnieria