What is Bacopa?
An extract of a little-known herb called Bacopa can dramatically increase your brain function and memory — and may even help prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Its therapeutic use has its origins from traditional Ayurvedic medicine in India, where it has been used for its adaptogenic, tranquilizing and antioxidant properties.
Bacopa is a creeping perennial herb that can be found in Nepal, China, India, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Vietnam and some parts of the United States, including Hawaii, Florida and other Southern states. Bacopa (also called Bacopa monnieri or brahmi) thrives in wetlands, on muddy shores and around ponds or bog gardens. Be careful not to confuse brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) with gotu kola and other natural medicines that are also sometimes called brahmi.
Used in India for thousands of years for both traditional and medicinal purposes, Bacopa had a central role in religious consecration ceremonies for infants: The botanical was believed to open a gateway to intelligence for children.
Bacopa herb contains many compounds including bacopasaponins such as bacoside A, bacopaside II, bacopaside I, bacopaside X, bacopasaponin, bacopaside N2 and minor components bacopasaponin F, bacopasaponin E, bacopaside N1 bacopaside III, bacopaside IV and bacopaside V. The total saponin content in samples, plant materials and extracts vary from 5 to 22%. Dammarane-type triterpenoid saponins classified as pseudojujubogenin and jujubogenin glycosides are reported as some of active components in this plant.
Shamanic Memory
Researchers may first have been intrigued by Bacopa monnieribecause of the effect they believed it had on ancient shamans, who reportedly used the herb to help them memorize epic poems. Researchers theorized that perhaps the Bacopa plant enhanced the shamans’ brain function and improved their memory, concentration and recall. It’s no wonder researchers suspected a link, since some of these epic poems — when they were finally written down — exceeded 900 pages, and the shamans could recite them word for word!
Mind Booster
Today, modern science is confirming traditional wisdom about Bacopa. In research conducted in Australia and the United States, Bacopa improved study subjects’ ability to retain new information — and it also helped them increase their visual processing speed in as little as three weeks.
Research into the benefits of Bacopa includes:
- A study by the psychology department at the University of Wollongong in Australia that demonstrated Bacopa could increase memory and recall ability.
- Research in 1996 presented at the International Brain Research Conference that showed that Bacopa reduced the time needed to learn new tasks by almost half. Participants taking Bacopa mastered mental exercises in as little as six days compared to 10 days for the control group.
- An extensive 2001 rigorous, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment in Victoria, Australia confirmed the herb’s benefits for learning. After 12 weeks, those taking Bacopa scored significantly better on all higher order cognitive processing tests.
Bacopa monnieri has been extensively tested and proven as a memory and concentration enhancer, but the benefits of Bacopa extend to other mental and emotional functions, as well.
In many areas of the world, Bacopa is also used to treat:
In many areas of the world, Bacopa is also used to treat:
- Depression
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Attention Deficit Disorder
- Epilepsy
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Mental deficiency
Bacopa May Combat Cognitive Decline
In addition to its short-term cognitive benefits, Bacopa may also prevent long-term cognitive decline. A study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine showed that elderly participants who used 300 mg per day of Bacopa demonstrated improved mental functions in comparison to a placebo group. Improvement was most profound in the areas of attention and verbal-information processing — and researchers concluded that Bacopa could be effective in preventing cognitive decay.
Since research has shown a link between mild cognitive decline and eventual dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, preventing even mild memory difficulties may play an important role in warding off those memory-related diseases that are so prevalent among baby boomers and elderly people.
News of the many health benefits of Bacopa recently seeped into mainstream news. In his TV show on May 30, 2011, Dr. Mehmet Oz (also known as “America’s Doctor”) recommended Bacopa for brain health. Dr. Oz said, “Bacopa Monnieri will make you smarter, enhance your memory and help you focus better.”
Mechanism of action
Bacopa contains bacosides A and B, which enhance neuron repair and speed up information transfer between brain cells. This herb also has powerful antioxidant properties which protect the brain cells from damage.
The mode of action of brain cell protective effects is due to the antioxidants that suppress neuronal oxidative stress and the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. Treating patients with bacopa extract may be a way to treat neurodegenerative disorders associated with oxidative stress as well as perhaps Alzheimer's disease.
There is some evidence to suggest that it might relax muscles in the blood vessels, airways, and the small intestine. It might also act as a tranquilizer to promote relaxation as well as a pain reliever.
How to Use Bacopa
Adults can use a dosage of Bacopa herb between 200 mg to 500 mg a few times a week. Many preparations are in the form of extracts with various potencies. If you buy a bacopa extract product, your dosage would be less than that of the regular bacopa powder. How much less depends on how potent and concentrated the extract.
A 225 mg tablet of Bacopa taken up to three times daily is recommended by many health practitioners, although consultation with a qualified herbalist is advised to determine your ideal dosage.
To be most effective, Bacopa extract is usually taken in the recommended dosage daily for 12 weeks. In low doses, Bacopa is mild and non-addictive. Although overdose is uncommon, Bacopa has been known to be toxic in very high doses, so caution is advised. However, it is reported that any symptoms of toxicity will immediately subside once Bacopa supplementation is discontinued.
Bacopa is relatively inexpensive and can be found at health food stores and through a variety of online retailers.
Precautions and Side Effects
Women who are pregnant or nursing should first talk to their doctor before taking. Bacopa also may cause sleepiness if taken in high doses.
Sources and Additional Information: