Skip to main content

How I use herbs - Brahmi

Brahmi (Bacopa monniera) is important in ayurvedic medicine and generally regarded as a nerve and brain tonic.



How to grow Brahmi
I purchased my brahmi plant as a small plant and it currently lives in a pot.  I have read that it prefers to live in damp conditions, so I keep it in a pot that I can move to suitable locations in the garden depending on the season.  When I have a pond, I think it would be a good one to plant around the edges.  Although it comes from a tropical climate, it seems to survive (but not thrive) in mildly frosty conditions.





eight acres: how to grow and use Brahmi





How I use Brahmi
Brahmi has been used for a huge range of conditions (coughs, arthritis, backache, hair loss, insomnia etc), its main application is for brain and nervous system function.  Research has identified two active compounds, bacoside A and B which have been shown to improve circulation and nourish nerve cells respectively. One theory is that these compounds enhance of the effects of the neurotransmitters acetylcholine and, possibly, serotonin or GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid).  

Brahmi is extremely bitter, so its not something that you want to eat in large quantities.  It can be added to a herbal tea, but another common preparation is in a tincture alcohol or glycerine.  I made a tincture from fresh leaves in vodka and take the recommended 5 mL per day.





eight acres: how to grow and use Brahmi




There is some information on the internet about the interaction between estrogen in birth control and increased gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) causing temporary hearing loss.  This is explained in more detail here, and I think the first link misunderstands the issue.  My interpretation is that GABA and estrogen can interact to cause temporary hearing loss, but both are naturally present in our bodies, regardless of birth control, estrogen replacement therapy or brahmi consumption.  I would suggest that you start with a small doses of tincture and increase gradually to allow the natural balance in your hormonal system to adjust, and obviously if any hearing problems occur, stop using the tincture.  Brahmi is an ancient herb, so I can only assume that if it really did cause hearing problems, it wouldn't be used so frequently in ayurvedic medicine.  **But remember that I'm not a doctor or a herbalist** 





Do you grow and use brahmi?  Any thoughts about brahmi?





See my other posts about herbs:


How I use herbs - Mint, Peppermint and Spearmint

How I use herbs - Aloe Vera

How I use herbs - Basil

How I use herbs - Ginger, galangal and turmeric

How I use herbs - Marigold, calendula and winter taragon

How I use herbs - Soapwort

How I use herbs - Comfrey

How I use herbs - Nasturtium

How I use herbs - Parsley

How I use herbs - Borage

How I use herbs - Herb Robert

How I use herbs - Purslane

How I use herbs - Chickweed

How I use herbs - Neem oil

How I use herbs - Rue, tansy and wormwood





Comments

  1. Liz, I have Brahmi growing and it does grow well here on the Darling Downs. I have some growing in a pot and some in an old wheelbarrow. It is certainly bitter and I keep meaning to put it into some smoothies to disguise the taste as I know how good it is for you. We bought ours from Isabel Shipard's herb farm and I rang there once to ask a question about our plant and Isabel answered the phone. I always think of her when I am watering our Brahmi and feel so sad that she is no longer with us.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks, I appreciate all your comments, suggestions and questions, but I don't always get time to reply right away. If you need me to reply personally to a question, please leave your email address in the comment or in your profile, or email me directly on eight.acres.liz at gmail.com

Popular posts from this blog

The new Eight Acres website is live!

Very soon this blogspot address will automatically redirect to the new Eight Acres site, but in the meantime, you can check it out here .  You will find all my soaps, ebooks and beeswax/honey products there, as well as the blog (needs a tidy up, but its all there!).  I will be gradually updating all my social media links and updating and sharing blog posts over the next few months.  I'm very excited to share this new website with you!

Farm update - August 2017

Its been cold this month, and very nice to have the fire going every night.  Here's a photo of my boy in his cape, great for late night woofing at things.  Most of July we were either preparing for the butcher to come or putting meat away.  Its always a big job, but its only once a year, and its all done now.  My lovely neighbour came over to help, so it was fun to have the company and work together.  Taz was a champion once again as she helped us to move cattle in the yards ready to load for the market.  Gus is not at that level yet and had to stay home (he cries when he gets left behind, but he just gets in the way and scatters the cattle).  We have had a few sprinkles of rain here and there, but also plenty of cold nights, so the grass is mostly dead and dry, waiting for the warmer weather to revive our summer-active pasture. Gus in his cape Taz after she helped to move cattle Food and cooking It was all about beef in July and we are v...

Neem oil for insect control

** Sign up for my weekly email updates here , you will find out more about soap and our farmlife, straight to your inbox, never miss a post!  New soap website and shop opening soon.... I also make neem soap, neem insect repellent and neem salve, all available in my Etsy shop .** A few weeks ago now I was watering the garden just after dark, torch in one hand, hose in the other, when I was attacked by a swarm of mosquitoes (mozzies).  I could feel them biting me, but there wasn’t much I could do with both hands in use and I really needed to finish watering.  When I came inside I found that I had several bites on each leg between the top of my gumboots and the bottom of my shorts.  These proceeded to itch, swell and annoy me for several days. At this time of year, when the mozzies start biting, as I do have such a terrible reaction to the bites, I usually reach for my bottle of conventional insect repellent, typically containing DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamid...