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Introduction
Bacopa monnieri is a very popular herb in India
for longevity and mental function. It is used to decrease fatigue
and depression, and to stimulate the sex drive. It energizes the
central nervous system, and aids the circulatory system, soothes
and minimizes varicose veins and helps to minimize scarring. It
is also useful in repairing skin and connective tissues and smoothing
out cellulite. It is generally considered an Ayurvedic "age
tonic" restoring youth and vitality.
Brahmi has been used by Ayurveda in India for almost 3000 years.
The Ayurvedic treatise, the Charaka Samhita (100 A.D.), recommends
Brahmi in formulations for a range of mental conditions including
anxiety, poor cognition and lack of concentration. In India, Brahmi
is currently recognized as being effective in the treatment of
mental illness and epilepsy.
Origin
An annual
creeping plant found throughout India in wet, damp and marshy areas.
Chemical
composition / key active constituents
The herb contains the alkaloids brahmine, herpestine,
and a mixture of three bases. It also contains the saponins, monnierin
; hersaponin, bacoside A and bacoside B. Other constituents present
in the plant are D-mannitol, betulic acid, ß- sitosterol,
stigmasterol and its esters, heptacosane, octacosane, nonacosane,
triacontane, hentriacontane, dotriacontane, nicotine, 3-formyl-4-hydroxy-2H-pyran,
luteolin and its 7-glucoside. The presence of a-alamine, aspartic
acid, glutamic acid and serine is also reported.
Pharmacology
Alcoholic extract increases the learning performance
of rats and the activity is attributed to saponin mixture consisting
of bacosides A,B & other saponins. Other pharmacological effects
of the extracts include sedative, antiepileptic, cardiotonic,
vasoconstrictor and anti-inflammatory activities.
Remedies
For
It is used in indigenous systems of medicine
for the treatment of asthma, hoarseness, insanity, epilepsy and
as a potent nerve tonic; cardio tonic and diuretic. The leaves
are also useful as a diuretic and aperient.
Brain and Nervous System Conditions
Brain tonic, Epilepsy, Headaches, Insanity, Improves memory, improves
mental capacities, such as concentration and learning, Nerve tonic,
Nervous breakdown, Nervous deficit due to injury and stroke Nervous
exhaustion.
Dosage
Powdered
Drug : 5-10 gms , Infusion : 8-16 ml.
| References:
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| 1. |
Phytochemistry, 1978,17:287 |
| 2. |
J.Res.Ayurveda & Siddha 1980, 1,133 |
| 3. |
Sharma,
R. et al. (1987) J.Res. Edu. Ind. Med. 1-10 |
| 4. |
Singh,
R.H.,Singh, L.J.(1980) J.Res.Ayur.Siddha. 1:133-14 |
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