This MedLibrary.org supplementary page on Bacopa monnieri is provided directly from the open source Wikipedia as a service to our readers. Please see the note below on authorship of this content, as well as the Wikipedia usage guidelines. To search for other content from our encyclopedia supplement, please use the form below:
Related Sponsors
 |
This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (April 2008) |
| Coastal Waterhyssop | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Bacopa monnieri L. Pennell[1] |
||||||||||||||
| Synonyms | ||||||||||||||
|
Bacopa monniera |
Bacopa monnieri is a perennial, creeping herb whose habitat includes wetlands and muddy shores. Common names include Coastal Waterhyssop and brahmi. But brahmi is also the Ayurvedic name given to Centella asiatica and other herbs, and while B. monnieri is often simply called "water hyssop" or "waterhyssop", this actually can refer to any species of Bacopa. This plant is also known as thyme-leafed gratiola, "figwort" or "moneywort".
The leaves of this plant are succulent and relatively thick. Leaves are oblanceolate and are arranged oppositely on the stem. The flowers are small and white, with four or five petals. Its ability to grow in water makes it a popular aquarium plant. It can even grow in slightly brackish conditions. Propagation is often achieved through cuttings.
It commonly grows in marshy areas throughout India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, and is also found in Florida and other southern states of the USA where it can be grown in damp conditions by the pond or bog garden.
This plant has a number of uses in Ayurveda. It is a traditional treatment for epilepsy and asthma.[2] Laboratory studies on rats indicate that extracts of the plant improve memory capacity and motor learning ability.[2] Studies in humans show that an extract of the plant has antianxiety effects.[2] It is listed as a nootropic, a drug that enhances cognitive ability. In India, this plant has also been used traditionally to consecrate newborn babies in the belief that it will open the gateway of intelligence. Recent studies suggest bacopa may improve intellectual activity.[3][4] It has antioxidant properties, reducing oxidation of fats in the bloodstream.[2]
It is used in Vietnamese cuisine, where it is called rau đắng. It is used in cháo cá, a variety of rice congee made with fish and nấm tràm mushrooms.
See also
References
- ^ "Bacopa monnieri information from NPGS/GRIN". www.ars-grin.gov. Retrieved on 2008-03-13.
- ^ a b c d Rajani, M., et al. "Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell) - A Medhya Rasaayana Drug of Ayurveda" in Ramawat, K. G., Ed. (2004). Biotechnology of Medicinal Plants: Vitalizer and Therapeutic Enfield, New Hampshire: Science Publishers, Inc.
- ^ C. Stough, J. Lloyd, J. Clarke, L. Downey, C. Hutchison, T. Rodgers, P. Nathan (2001). "The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects". Psychopharmacology (Berl).
- ^ S. Roodenrys, D. Booth, S. Bulzomi, A. Phipps, C. Micallef, J. Smoker (2002). "Chronic effects of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) on human memory". Neuropsychopharmacology (Wollongong) 27: 279. doi:.
External links
- Bacopa monnieri List of Chemicals (Dr. Duke's Databases)
- Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) By Pankaj Oudhia
- Bacopa by Pharmasave. Includes a number of medical references.
 |
This Lamiales article is a stub. Please help Wikipedia grow by expanding it. |
 |
This pharmacology-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 4 August 2008, at 12:40.
Wikipedia Authorship and Review
Wikipedia content provided here is not reviewed directly by MedLibrary.org. Wikipedia content is authored by an open community of volunteers and is not produced by or in any way affiliated with MedLibrary.org.
Wikipedia Usage Guidelines
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article on "Bacopa monnieri".
The URL for this specific entry is:
All Wikipedia text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. (See Copyrights for details). Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.