Bacopa: Properties and benefits

Bacopa monnieri is a plant belonging to the Scrophulariaceae family, commonly known as Brahmi, found naturally throughout South and Southeast Asia. It has a long history in traditional medicine and is known for its properties in improving memory and reducing anxiety.

What is Bacopa and what is it used for?

Bacopa is an herb long considered to improve memory, specifically new learning and information retention. It has also been shown to speed up mental processing and help with adaptation in stressful situations. Below, you can explore its properties and the benefits this fantastic herb can provide.

The properties of Bacopa

Bacopa has a large number of active components, including various alkaloids and saponins, the main active compounds being the steroidal saponins bacosides. These active extracts have various properties, such as:

• Nootropic properties , which could improve cognitive function.

• Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties  reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain.

• Adaptogenic properties  which increase the body's resistance to stressful situations and reduce mental fatigue.

The benefits of Bacopa

• Increases memory, attention and learning.
• Reduces mild cognitive impairment. Thanks to its antioxidant properties, it works against the oxidative damage that harms our brains, protecting us from the cognitive decline that becomes more evident as we age.
• Reduces stress and anxiety. It stabilizes cortisol levels, which cause stress, and thus contributes to improving mood and reducing tension by strengthening neurotransmitters such as the happiness hormone serotonin and acetylcholine, natural antidepressants produced in the body.
• Respiratory system: reduces symptoms such as asthma as it has a relaxing action on the bronchioles.

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Improves cognitive abilities

Bacopa has been shown to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, an action that increases brain acetylcholine levels and has been studied with particular interest in reducing memory loss and mild cognitive impairment in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Source: Dethe, 2016 (Catechol- O-methyl transferase (COMT), Prolyl endopeptidase (PEP), Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC))

In a prospective study, 39 patients over 65 years of age diagnosed with Alzheimer's were treated with 300 mg of standardized Bacopa extract (Bacognize) twice daily for 6 months. Various cognitive abilities were assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination Scale (MMSES) at baseline and end of the study. The results were significantly better in areas such as orientation to time, place, and person, attention, and linguistic skills in terms of reading, writing, and comprehension at the end of the study . Furthermore, patients reported improvements in their quality of life, with less irritability and insomnia (Goswami 2011).

When to take Bacopa?

Bacopa is a recommended option for all those men and women who suffer from ongoing stress, lack of concentration, and feel emotionally and/or physically fatigued. It is a recommended herb, for example, for people who lead busy work lives or who try to take on too much, and for students who are exhausted during exam periods.

It is a good choice for dealing with the aforementioned circumstances, as it not only helps reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, but has also been traditionally used to clarify thinking, aid concentration, and increase intellectual performance.

How long does it take to take effect?

Adaptogens take time to take effect because they are not medications or toxic substances. The body usually begins to notice the effects after taking them for a few days. The vast majority of benefits and positive changes are observed after two weeks of regular use.

Are there any contraindications?

Because it is a very potent medicinal plant, although it has not shown any side effects, there are cases in which consuming bacopa can cause adverse reactions, and therefore should be avoided.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid consumption. People undergoing medication or suffering from any medical condition should consult their doctor before taking any dietary supplement.

How to take Bacopa?

Bacopa's taste is intensely bitter, so it's not a good herb for infusion. It can work in smoothies if a little powder is added along with other strong flavor-masking ingredients.

Buy Bacopa in capsules

Electra Anxiety and Stress Supplement Reduces stress, enhances concentration, and combats fatigue. It contains a combination of four adaptogenic herbs and vitamins that work to help energize your mind, promoting stamina and mental clarity while increasing your energy.

Electra contains 50 milligrams of Bacopa per capsule. We recommend taking 2 capsules in the morning with a glass of water.

We hope this article has helped you understand the benefits and uses of this fantastic herb and how it can play a role in improving your health.

We'd love to help you learn more about your well-being. If you have any questions or nutritional concerns, feel free to contact us at our dedicated email address:

consultas@superlativabotanicals.com

We'll be happy to answer them and look forward to hearing from you in our next post.

Bibliographic references:

1. Nemetchek MD, Stierle AA, Stierle DB, Lurie DI (2017). The Ayurvedic plant Bacopa monnieri inhibits inflammatory pathways in the brain. J. Ethnopharmacol.
2. Calabrese C, Gregory WL, Leo M, Kraemer D, Bone K, Oken B. Effects of a standardized Bacopa monnieri extract on cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in the elderly: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Jul;14(6):707-13.
3. Brimson JM, Brimson S, Prasanth MI, Thitilertdecha P, Malar DS, Tencomnao T. The effectiveness of Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Wettst. as a nootropic, neuroprotective, or antidepressant supplement: analysis of the available clinical data. Sci Rep 2021 Jan 12;11(1):596.
4. Singh B, Pandey S, Rumman M, Kumar S, Kushwaha PP, Verma R, Mahdi AA. Neuroprotective and Neurorescue Mode of Action of Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst in 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-Induced Parkinson's Disease: An In Silico and In Vivo Study. Front Pharmacol. 2021 Mar 16;12:616413.
5. Aguiar S, Borowski T. Neuropharmacological review of the nootropic herb Bacopa monnieri. Rejuvenation Res . 2013;16(4):313–326.
6. Rai D, Bhatia G, Palit G, Pal R, Singh S, Singh HK. Adaptogenic effect of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi). Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2003 Jul;75(4):823-30.