Bramhi

BRAHMI

Latin Name-Bacopa monnieri

Family_Scropularaceae

Synonyms_Kapotavega, Matsyaksi, Somavalli, Indri

English name_Indian pennywort

Morphology_Sacculent herb

Chemical composition_Ascorbic acid, Nicotinic acid, Brahmine

Different Varieties- Sodhala mentioned Brāhmī and Mandūka Brāhmī seperately. Rāja Narahari mentioned Brāhmī alone.

Botanical Description- A glabrous, punctate, succulent herb. Leaves- sessile, obovate or spathulate, entire. Flowers- solitary, axillary, white; bracteoles linear. Fruits- ovoid, acute, acute capsules included in the persistent colyx.

Flowers and fruits almost throughout the year (mainly between February-April)

Distribution-Common in moist places throughout India.

Major Chemical Constituents- Ascorbic acid, nicotinic acid, brahmine, herpestine, alanine, hentri-acontane, octacosane, monnierin (saponin), hersaponin, bacoside A & B, bacogenins A1-A4 (Sapogenins), ẞ-sitosterol etc.

Properties

Rasa- Tikta, Kaşāya

Guna- Laghu

Vīrya-Śīta

Vipāka- Madhura

Karma- Kapha-pitta hara, Medhya, Rasāyana

Indications- Apasmāra, Prameha, Kustha, Pandu, Prameha, Sotha, Jvara, Kāsa,

Therapeutic Uses

(1) Masūrikā- Juice of Brahmī is given with honey (V.M.).

(2) Unmāda- Brahmī juice mixed with Kustha and honey will be useful (V.M. & Śā. Sam. 2/01/18).

(3) Apasmāra- Oil, Laśuna, Śatavarī (with milk), juice of Brahmī, Kustha and Vacă are taken with honey (C.S.Ci. 10).

Part Used- Whole plant

Dosage- Fresh juice 10-20 ml

Important Preparations- Brāhmi rasāyana, Brāhmighṛta

Research

(1) The crude alcoholic extract (10-200 mg/100 gm b.w.) had a sedative effect on frogs and dogs. The extract also possess cardiotonic, vaso constrictor and neuro-muscular block- ing actions in frogs. A glycoside (saponin) was also found to have cardiotonic action in normal as well as hypodynamic frogs heart (Malhotra & Das 1959).

(2) Alcoholic extract of whole plant (50 mg/kg i.p.), exhibited tranquillizing effect on albino rats. The same effect was observed in dogs. When the above dose was given i.v. The extract showed smooth muscle relaxation of rat ileum. At 20 mg/kg, a transitory fall in BP was seen (Aithal & Sirsi, 1961).

Guna_ Laghu

Rasa_ Tikta, Kasaya

Virya_ Sita

Vipaka_ Madhura

Karma_ Kapha-pittahara, Medhya, Rasayana

Amayik prayog_Apasmara, Prameha, Kustha,Pandu, Sotha, Jwara.Kasa

Part used_Whole plant

Dose_Fresh juice 10-20ml

Important Formulations_Brahmirasayana, Brahmighrta