Have you started to notice that your memory is not as sharp as it once was? Has the stress of the modern world put blips in your brain? Trying to study a new subject and it just seems as though there’s no more room for the information? Need a fog horn to clear your mind? Well the good news is you’re not alone and this isn’t something new. In fact, a little green plant called Brahmi may be just what you are looking for.
The name, Brahmi, is derived from Brahma, the Vedic God of creation. In Indian mythology, Brahma created the entire universe with his thoughts while in deep meditation. As our thoughts may create both health and disease you can see why a well functioning mind is so important in Ayurveda. This is where the potency of Brahmi comes into play.
Brahmi is a ground-covering, green-leaved, crawling plant with little white flowers. Brahmi grows in marshes or in wetlands across India, China, Nepal, and even in Florida and Hawaii. It does not need good drainage to flourish and can even grow in an aquarium. Brahmi can also easily be grown in a pot in your herb garden.
Brahmi is one of the Ayurvedic herbs used to help enhance brain function. Its medicinal benefits have been researched through multiple clinical trials in India and America. Brahmi is packed with antioxidants and contains several biochemical compounds that enhance the function of neurotransmitters in the brain. Studies suggest brahmi may help you maintain mental clarity as you age. Brahmi’s ability to stimulate dopamine receptors has been used in the treatment of depression and Parkinson’s disease. Brahmi is also used to help remove toxins from the blood, increase circulation, reduce inflammation and relieve asthma through its bronchiodialating properties. It is also used in Ayurveda to improve thyroid function
Brahmi comes in many different forms and is classically given at doses of 2-6 grams per day. You can find it as a pill, capsule, or dissolved in oil such as ghee (clarified butter). My personal preference is taking Brahmi as a powder in warm milk with a pinch of cardamom and a hint of ghee. I take this mixture every morning to help prevent the onset of future memory problems while enhancing my current mental agility. Any way you take it, you may notice a difference in your brain within a couple of weeks.
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