Bacopa monnieri is a medicinal creeping perennial in the Scrophulariaceae family with small oblong leaves and white to purple flowers frequently used in ayurvedic medicine (see Image. Bacopa). Other names for this herb include brahmi, water hyssop, thyme-leaved gratiola, and the herb of grace.[1] Brahmi is derived from Hindu mythology, which means "Brahma," or the "supreme creator." [2] The term Brahmi has been used to describe Bacopa monnieri, Centella asiatica (Gotu kola), or a combination of the 2 botanicals.[2]

Bacopa is native to India, Indochina, Australia, and Sri Lanka. The leaves are used medicinally and contain triterpenoid saponins (Bacoside A, bacoside B, bacopasaponins, D-mannitol, acid A, monnieri), alkaloids (brahmine, nicotine, herpestine, hydrocotyline), flavonoids (luteolin, apigenin), glycosides (asiaticoside, thanakunicide), Phytochemicals (betulinic acid, betulic acid, wogonin, oroxindin, stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol), sapogenin (jujubacogenin, pseudojujubacogenin) and other compounds (Brahmic acid, brahamoside, brahminoside, isobrahmic acid.)[3] The saponins are believed to be responsible for most of the pharmacological actions.[4][5]

Its use has been documented in the Ayurvedic text "Caraka Samhita" as a treatment for various mental conditions.[4] Ayurvedic medicine describes Bacopa as a "medhya rasayana," meaning a class of herbs believed to improve mental health, memory, and intellect and promote rejuvenation and longevity.[3][2] The main indications for using Brahmi in Ayurvedic medicine are memory improvement, insomnia, epilepsy, and as an anxiolytic.[6] Many clinical studies demonstrate improvements in verbal learning, delayed word recall, memory acquisition, and anxiety reduction with Bacopa. It has been described as a calming cognitive enhancer.

Bacopa can be used on its own or in combination with other nootropic herbs, such as Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica). Bacopa monnieri and Centella asiatica both possess neuroprotective properties and have nootropic activity with therapeutic uses for patients experiencing memory loss.[2] Gotu kola is used in Ayurvedic medicine and in combination with other herbs in traditional Chinese medicine to combat symptoms of anxiety and depression.[7] In human studies, Bacopa has demonstrated beneficial effects on cognitive performance, verbal learning, delayed word recall, memory acquisition, and decreasing anxiety. The FDA's position is that Bacopa monnieri products are not approved for any medical purposes, and in 2019 issued a warning to dietary supplement manufacturers who produce products containing Bacopa monnieri regarding making any therapeutic claims about the herb.