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Bacopa monnieri - Brahmi

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Bacopa Monnieri, Brahmi

Bacopa Monnieri is a non-aromatic herb. Its ability to grow in water makes it a popular aquarium plant. It can even grow in slightly brackish conditions.The whole herb is used medicinally in India in a variety of ways. Bacopa is a genus of 70–100 aquatic plants belonging to the family Plantaginaceae.

Uses

Epilepsy, Asthma, Ulcers, Tumors, Gastroenteritis, Ascites, Enlarged spleen, Anaemia, Inflammation, Promote intellect, Memory enhancer, Increase life span, Rejuvinative.

Parts Used

Roots, Stem, Leaves

Chemical Composition

Brahmi contains the alkaloids brahmine, herpestine. It contains saponins namely bacosides A and B. It also contains betulic acid, stigmasterol, monnierin and hersaponin. Bacosides A and B on hydrolysis gives triterpenoid aglycone bacogenins A and B respectively.[1]

Common names

Language Common name
Kannada ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಿ Brahmi, ಕಿರು ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಿ Kiru brahmi
Hindi Baam
Malayalam Brahmi
Tamil Neer brahmi, Pirami
Telugu Sambrani aku
Marathi Brahmi, Jalabrahmi
Gujarathi Baam, Jalanevari
Punjabi NA
Kashmiri NA
Sanskrit Brahmi, Tiktalonika
English Indian pennywort, Moneywort

[2]

Properties

Reference: Dravya - Substance, Rasa - Taste, Guna - Qualities, Veerya - Potency, Vipaka - Post-digesion effect, Karma - Pharmacological activity, Prabhava - Therepeutics.

Dravya

Rasa

Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent)

Guna

Laghu (Light)

Veerya

Sheet (cold)

Vipaka

Madhura (Sweet)

Karma

Prabhava

Habit

Herb

Identification

Leaf

Kind Shape Feature
Small Oval Leaves that are succulent and relatively thick, Brahmi leaves grow alternately on the soft hairy stem

[3]

Flower

Type Size Color and composition Stamen More information
Unisexual White-purplish Five petals Brahmi flowers bloom in most months of the year. Flowering throughout the year

Fruit

Type Size Mass Appearance Seeds More information
Oval Brahmi fruit is oval and sharp at apex with hooked hairs Fruitig throughout the year

Other features

List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is used

Tiktaka Grita, Datri Tailam, Brahmi Grita, Rajata Loha Rasayanam, Ratnagiri Rasa, Lokanatha rasa, Saarasvataarishta, Meghanath Tailam.[4]

Where to get the saplings

Mode of Propagation

Seeds, Cuttings.

How to plant/cultivate

The plant is propagated by soft herbaceous cuttings. For mass propagation, whole plant is cut into small divisions and planted directly in the sunken beds. About 62,500 nos. of cuttings required for planting one hectare area.[5]

Season to grow

It prefers part to full sun and It prefers Summer season.[6]

Required Ecosystem/Climate

It is found at altitudes up to 1300 m. Near-neutral, clayey loam to clayey soils are best suited for the growth of Bacopa monnieri. In North India, it can grow in a wide range of temperatures (15–40 oC) and soil pH (5–7.5).

Kind of soil needed

The plant occurs in a variety of soil types if the habitat provides wet and semi-shade conditions.

Commonly seen growing in areas

Moist and wet places, Irrigated fields, Borders of water, Bank of channels.

Photo Gallery

  • Field

  • Flower

  • Stem

  • Whole herb

  • Leaves

  • Stem

  • Leaves

References

  1. ↑ Morphology
  2. ↑ Common names
  3. ↑ Brahmi Herbal Medicine
  4. ↑ "Karnataka Medicinal Plants Volume - 2" by Dr.M. R. Gurudeva, Page No.428, Published by Divyachandra Prakashana, #45, Paapannana Tota, 1st Main road, Basaveshwara Nagara, Bengaluru.
  5. ↑ Cultivation details
  6. ↑ Bacopa monnier on vikaspedia.in

External Links

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