Brahmi — Water Hyssop

Ayurvedic herb Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) — Water Hyssop. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Tikta, Kashaya, Virya Sheeta, Vipaka Madhura. Balances Vata, Pitta.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read
This content is for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional.

Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) is a premier herb for the brain and nervous system, enhancing memory, concentration, and calming the mind.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaTikta, KashayaTikta (Bitter) — detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic; Kashaya (Astringent) — drying, absorbent, wound-healing
GunaLaghuLaghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness
ViryaSheetaSheeta (Cold) — cooling, decreases Pitta and inflammation
VipakaMadhuraMadhura (Sweet) — post-digestive sweet, nourishing
PrabhavaMedhya, rasayan, JwaraghnaMedhya — intellect-promoting, enhances cognition; Rasayana — rejuvenative, promotes longevity and immunity; Jwaraghna — antipyretic, reduces fever

Sanskrit Synonyms

In the classical Ayurvedic texts, Brahmi is known by the following Sanskrit names:

Sarasvati, Kapoti, Somavalli, Matsyakshi

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Brahmi are: panchanga.

Main Indications

Brahmi is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Unmada, Apasmara, Smritinasha, Meha, Kushta.

Dosha Effects

Brahmi pacifies Vata, Pitta.

It may aggravate Kapha when used in excess or in sensitive individuals.

Usage

Brahmi is used in classical Ayurvedic formulations. Consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for appropriate dosage and preparation based on your constitution (Prakriti) and current imbalance (Vikriti).

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API)

Source: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India — Government of India, Ministry of AYUSH

Rasa (Taste)Tikta, Kaṣ¡ya, Madhura
Guna (Quality)Laghu, Sara
Virya (Potency)śita
Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Madhura
Karma (Action)V¡tahara, Kaphahara, Ras¡yana, āyuṣya, Medhya, Matiprada, Svarya, Praj¡sth¡pana, Viṣahara, Mohahara
Dose1-3 g in powder form.
Therapeutic Uses: Kuṣuha, Jvara, śopha, P¡ḍtu, Prameha, M¡nasavik¡ra
Important Formulations: S¡rasvat¡riṣua, Br¡hmi Ghrta, Ratnagiri Rasa, Br¡hmi
Botanical Name: Bacopa monnieri (Scrophulariaceae)
Part Used: W.P.

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

Source: Indian Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry And Therapeutics (IMPPAT) v1.0 — CC BY 4.0

Part UsedTherapeutic UseIdentifiersReferences
aerial partAnalgesicsMESH:D000700,UMLS:C0002771, ICD-11:XM49F7ISBN:9770972795006
aerial partNeurologyMESH:D009462ISBN:9770972795006
leafAntirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
leafBronchitisMESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20ISBN:9770972795006
leafCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9788172360481
leafDiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9770972795006
leafDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9770972795006
leafLaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3ISBN:9770972795006
leafSnake bitesMESH:D012909,UMLS:C0037379ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266
stemSnake bitesMESH:D012909,UMLS:C0037379ISBN:9770972795006
whole plantAmnesiaMESH:D000647,UMLS:C0002622, DOID:10914, ICD-11:MB21.1ISBN:9789327275590
whole plantAnemiaMESH:D000740,UMLS:C0002871, DOID:2355, ICD-11:3A9ZISBN:9788190648943, ISBN:9789327275590
whole plantAnticonvulsantsMESH:D000927,UMLS:C0003286, ICD-11:XM07T3ISBN:9770972795006
whole plantAntineoplastic agentsMESH:D000970,UMLS:C0003392ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172362089
whole plantAntioxidantsMESH:D000975,UMLS:C0003402ISBN:9770972795006
whole plantAnxiety disordersMESH:D001008,UMLS:C0003469, DOID:2030, ICD-11:6B00ISBN:9770972795006
whole plantAstringentsMESH:D001252,UMLS:C0004110, ICD-11:XM0VK6ISBN:9788172361792
whole plantBrain diseasesMESH:D001927,UMLS:C0006111, DOID:936ISBN:9788172361792, ISBN:9789327275590
whole plantCardiotonic agentsMESH:D002316,UMLS:C0007209, ICD-11:XM91S1ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361792
whole plantDermatitisMESH:D003872,UMLS:C3875321, DOID:2723, ICD-11:EA8ZISBN:9789327275590
whole plantDiabetes mellitusMESH:D003920,UMLS:C0011849, DOID:9351, ICD-11:5A14ISBN:9789327275590
whole plantDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9788172361792, ISBN:9789327275590
whole plantEdemaMESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1ISBN:9788190648943
whole plantEpilepsyMESH:D004827,UMLS:C0014544, DOID:1826, ICD-11:8A6ZISBN:9789327275590
whole plantFeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9788190648943
whole plantHematologic diseasesMESH:D006402,UMLS:C0018939, DOID:74, ICD-11:3C0ZISBN:9789327275590
whole plantHypotensionMESH:D007022,UMLS:C0020649, ICD-11:BA2ZISBN:9770972795006
whole plantHysteriaMESH:D007046,UMLS:C0020701ISBN:9789327275590
whole plantMental disordersMESH:D001523,UMLS:C0004936, ICD-11:6E8ZISBN:9788190648943
whole plantNervous system diseasesMESH:D009422,UMLS:C0027765, DOID:863, ICD-11:8E7ZISBN:9789327275590
whole plantSkin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9788190648943
whole plantSpasmMESH:D013035,UMLS:C0037763, ICD-11:MB47.3ISBN:9770972795006
whole plantStomach diseasesMESH:D013272,UMLS:C0038354, DOID:76, ICD-11:DA4YISBN:9789327275590
whole plantUrination disordersMESH:D014555,UMLS:C0042035, ICD-11:GB0YISBN:9788190648943
whole plantVasoconstrictor agentsMESH:D014662,UMLS:C0042397ISBN:9770972795006
whole plantCooling effect on bodyUMLS:C0678568ISBN:9788172361792
AnalgesicsMESH:D000700,UMLS:C0002771, ICD-11:XM49F7ISBN:9788173717024
AnemiaMESH:D000740,UMLS:C0002871, DOID:2355, ICD-11:3A9ZISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
AnorexiaMESH:D000855,UMLS:C1971624, DOID:8689, ICD-11:MG43.7ISBN:81-204-0828-4
AnticonvulsantsMESH:D000927,UMLS:C0003286, ICD-11:XM07T3ISBN:9788173717024
Anti-inflammatory agentsMESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1ISBN:9788173717024
Antineoplastic agentsMESH:D000970,UMLS:C0003392ISBN:9788172360481
AntipyreticsMESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7ISBN:9788173717024
Antirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2ISBN:9788172361792, ISBN:9788183602525
Anxiety disordersMESH:D001008,UMLS:C0003469, DOID:2030, ICD-11:6B00ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788172360481
ArthritisMESH:D001168,UMLS:C0003864, DOID:848, ICD-11:FA2ZISBN:81-204-0828-4
AscitesMESH:D001201,UMLS:C0003962, ICD-11:ME04ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
AstheniaMESH:D001247,UMLS:C0004093, ICD-11:MG22ISBN:9788173717024
AsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23A Report On Medicinal Plants Of Kachchh (Gujarat), ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792, ISBN:9788173717024, ISBN:9788183602525
AstringentsMESH:D001252,UMLS:C0004110, ICD-11:XM0VK6ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9770972795006
Brain diseasesMESH:D001927,UMLS:C0006111, DOID:936ISBN:9788172360481
BronchitisMESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361792, ISBN:9788173717024
Bronchodilator agentsMESH:D001993,UMLS:C0006280, ICD-11:XM0W90ISBN:9788173717024
Cardiotonic agentsMESH:D002316,UMLS:C0007209, ICD-11:XM91S1ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481, ISBN:9788173717024
Central nervous system diseasesMESH:D002493,UMLS:C0007682, DOID:331ISBN:9770972795006
Common coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788172360481
ConstipationMESH:D003248,UMLS:C0009806, DOID:2089, ICD-11:ME05.0ISBN:9788171360536
CoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788183602525
DementiaMESH:D003704,UMLS:C0497327, DOID:1307, ICD-11:6D8ZISBN:9788173717024
Diabetes mellitusMESH:D003920,UMLS:C0011849, DOID:9351, ICD-11:5A14ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788172360481, ISBN:9788183602525
DiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361792
Digestive system diseasesMESH:D004066,UMLS:C0012242, ICD-11:DE2ZISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788173717024
DiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06A Report On Medicinal Plants Of Kachchh (Gujarat), ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717024, ISBN:9788183602525
DysmenorrheaMESH:D004412,UMLS:C0013390, ICD-11:GA34.3ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
DyspepsiaMESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
EdemaMESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9770972795006
ElephantiasisMESH:D004604,UMLS:C0013882, DOID:4976, ICD-11:1F66.3ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
EmaciationMESH:D004614,UMLS:C0013911, ICD-11:5B51ISBN:81-204-0828-4
EpilepsyMESH:D004827,UMLS:C0014544, DOID:1826, ICD-11:8A6ZA Report On Medicinal Plants Of Kachchh (Gujarat), ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792, ISBN:9788173717024, ISBN:9788183602525
ErysipelasMESH:D004886,UMLS:C0014733, DOID:11330, ICD-11:1B70.0ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
Fertility agentsMESH:D005299,UMLS:C0015896ISBN:81-204-0828-4
FeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717024, ISBN:9788183602525
FlatulenceMESH:D005414,UMLS:C0016204, ICD-11:ME08ISBN:9788173717024
FurunculosisMESH:D005667,UMLS:C0016867, ICD-11:1B75.0ISBN:9788172360481
Heart diseasesMESH:D006331,UMLS:C0018799, DOID:114, ICD-11:BC4ZISBN:81-204-0828-4
Hematologic diseasesMESH:D006402,UMLS:C0018939, DOID:74, ICD-11:3C0ZISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788172360481
HoarsenessMESH:D006685,UMLS:C0019825, ICD-11:MA82.10ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792, ISBN:9788173717024, ISBN:9788183602525
Hypnotics and sedativesMESH:D006993,UMLS:C0020592, ICD-11:XM3GR8ISBN:9770972795006
HypohidrosisMESH:D007007,UMLS:C0020620, DOID:11155, ICD-11:EE01.ZISBN:9788173717024
InfertilityMESH:D007246,UMLS:C0021359, DOID:5223ISBN:9788173717024
InflammationMESH:D007249,UMLS:C0021368ISBN:9788173717024
LaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717024
LeprosyMESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
Memory disordersMESH:D008569,UMLS:C0025261ISBN:81-204-0828-4
Menstruation-inducing agentsMESH:D008600,UMLS:C0025346ISBN:9788173717024
Mental disordersMESH:D001523,UMLS:C0004936, ICD-11:6E8ZA Report On Medicinal Plants Of Kachchh (Gujarat), ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792, ISBN:9788173717024, ISBN:9788183602525
NeoplasmsMESH:D009369,UMLS:C0027651, DOID:162, ICD-11:2E2ZISBN:9788173717024
Nervous system diseasesMESH:D009422,UMLS:C0027765, DOID:863, ICD-11:8E7ZA Report On Medicinal Plants Of Kachchh (Gujarat), ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788183602525
NeuralgiaMESH:D009437,UMLS:C0027796, ICD-11:MG30.5ZISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
Nootropic agentsMESH:D018697,UMLS:C0242913ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717024
ParasympatholyticsMESH:D010276,UMLS:C0030511, ICD-11:XM3A77ISBN:9788172360481
Increase physical endurance, strength and staminaMESH:D010807ISBN:81-204-0828-4
Anti-poisoningMESH:D011041, ICD-11:NE6ZISBN:81-204-0828-4
PregnancyMESH:D011247,UMLS:C0032961ISBN:81-204-0828-4
Psychophysiologic disordersMESH:D011602,UMLS:C0033931ISBN:9770972795006
General tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:81-204-0828-4
Skin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172360481, ISBN:9788173717024
Snake bitesMESH:D012909,UMLS:C0037379ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788183602525
Splenic diseasesMESH:D013158,UMLS:C0037997, DOID:2529, ICD-11:3B8ZISBN:81-204-0828-4
SplenomegalyMESH:D013163,UMLS:C0038002, ICD-11:ME10.01ISBN:9788173717024
Stomach diseasesMESH:D013272,UMLS:C0038354, DOID:76, ICD-11:DA4YISBN:9788172360481
SyphilisMESH:D013587,UMLS:C0039128, DOID:4166, ICD-11:1A6ZISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
Tranquilizing agentsMESH:D014149,UMLS:C0040614ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
UlcerMESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582ISBN:9788173717024
Urination disordersMESH:D014555,UMLS:C0042035, ICD-11:GB0YISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717024
Uterine diseasesMESH:D014591,UMLS:C0042131, DOID:345, ICD-11:GA1YISBN:81-204-0828-4
VitiligoMESH:D014820,UMLS:C0042900, DOID:12306, ICD-11:ED63.0ISBN:9788173717024
VomitingMESH:D014839,UMLS:C0042963, ICD-11:MD90.1ISBN:9788173717024