Recently, the emphasis on cognitive wellness has dropped significantly, and the level of mental disorders has spread exponentially. Although the modern-day remedies purport to provide potentially effective remedies to cognitive problems, there has been an increasing interest in alternative remedies, such as Ayurveda.

 Ayurveda is an ancient form of science that is concerned with the use of naturally found ingredients to cure diseases and promote general health and well-being. In this respect, possibly the key to unlocking your mental potential can be found in brahmi, an ancient herb that is worshiped in Ayurveda. Its application towards mental health has been in use for centuries, and it is time we began including it in our routine to ensure cognitive health and control over our minds.

 About brahmi

According to the Ayurvedic information provided, several years ago, there were three doshas (vital energies) which are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, the imbalance of which may lead to the development of the health problem or other complications. In as much as mental well-being is concerned, Ayurvedic wisdom is of the opinion that too much of the dosha of Vata in our bodies may lead to the occurrence of the following neurological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases: poor memory, memory loss, poor blood circulation, and instances of anxiety. Ayurveda in this respect suggests the use of naturally available substances to address such problems.

 Brahmi or bacopa monnieri is one such herb that has been extensively used in traditional medicinal preparations to address a wide variety of problems with the brain.

1. Brahmi has been widely referred to in the Charaka Samhita, Atharva Veda and Sushruta Samhita.

2. The herb has several properties related to it, like medhya rasayan. The traditional Indian medicine system proposes that the medhya rasayan are natural ingredients that possess inherent therapeutic qualities that preserve and improve memory, facilitate the improvement of intellectual flaws, and increase mental capacity. (So, brahmi may be used to improve memory, pradnya shakti (stimulates intellectual power), unmadahara (decreases mental illness), and majja dhatu rasayana (rejuvenates to overcome the disorders of the nervous system). Today, the herb is used with the potential of improving memory and learning and managing depression and tension.

What does 8000-year-old brahmi do to improve our brain and help us be mentally healthy?

Prevention of age-related cognitive decline: The oxidative stress is among the most crucial issues of aging and age-related complications, and the brain is specifically vulnerable to the damage of free radicals. 3. Brahmi extracts are highly known to have possible antioxidant impact with various pathways of action to shield the brain against oxidative injury and consequently the loss of cognitive capability in older age. A pilot study⁴ to determine the effect of brahmi as a memory enhancer and the safety and tolerability of traumas in the elderly revealed an increase of cognitive fitness of all the participants with an absence of any considerable impact liability.

Enhancing brain health: Brahmi, which is synonymous with the enhancement of brain health, is called medhya rasayana, a herb and possesses the capacity to promote cognitive functioning and address intellectual impairments as per the ancient literature. There are also certain contemporary research works that support this ability.  A 12 week randomized trial⁶ in healthy adults pointed out that the daily intake of 10 mg of brahmi was effective in enhancing the possible velocity of visual information processing, learning rate and memory.

Learning

One of the main ways in which brahmi helps to facilitate the learning process is through possibly helping to enhance memory. Also, there is a possibility that adaptogenic features of brahmi can be used to alleviate stress and, therefore, contribute to the establishment of a more favorable learning environment. Also, Ayurveda belongs to the category of middle-age rejuvenating; such Ayurveda is referred to as  medhya rasayana. Another study⁶ has also pointed out that spatial learning was enhanced and the capacity to retain information was also enhanced by using brahmi.

Problems with memory

As per Ayurveda, the human body is affected by three energies, or doshas, that is, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Yet, the pre-eminence of vata dosha is the one that produces neurological diseases, the symptoms of which include memory loss. Hence, over the centuries Ayurvedic professionals have utilized brahmi on the basis of its potential Vata-balancing effect and also possibly in a number of neurological conditions and memory-related issues.⁴. Contemporary literature indicates that what may be contributing towards the ability to cope with memory-related problems is the possible antioxidant effects of  brahmi. Also, 3, brahmi, has an antioxidant and free radical scavenging effect.

Stress-related advantages

 In recent years, there has been an increase in interest in the possible power of brahmi to reduce anxiety. The herb is believed to be an adaptogenic herb, which also aids the body in adjusting to stressors and, possibly, preventing stress.  The use of brahmi can be incorporated in our lives since it can be used to offer possible relief from stress and anxiety. The active constituents of the herb may affect the hormonal balance in the body, including hormones produced in relation to stress. Therefore, there is a possibility that  brahmi can provide a calming effect and lead to relaxation despite dealing with stress and anxiety in a natural manner.

 Other advantages of brahmi in everyday life (various health advantages)  

There are a few other advantages of ayurveda and modern science assigns to  brahmi which can be useful in our health and well-being overall. They are useful in the treatment of cardiac issues (possibly, it was able to support healthy blood flow), respiratory issues (this may help reduce inflammation of the throat and excess production of phlegm and mucus), allergies (methanolic extract of brahmi contains a mast cell stabilizer, which might help address certain allergic conditions), healthy skin (this disinfects the skin and accelerates healing), anti-inflammatory (this releases proinflammatory mediators, which may help reduce swelling and inflammation), etc.

Real-life advice on ways of incorporating brahmi into everyday life

Brahmi is a universal herb, and depending on the kind of problem under treatment, it can be taken in either of the following forms:

1.  Raw leaves: 2-3 raw leaves of brahmi can be chewed by a person and have a potentially beneficial effect on stress and anxiety, respiratory congestion, etc. 

2. Juice/tea: An individual can take them in the form of juice and mix with water and drink or as tea.  Brahmi tea and juice may be taken to make the skin healthy and provide wound healing, better respiratory health, immunity, and diarrhea.

3. Brahmi paste: The use of brahmi can be done in the form of a paste of the leaves.  One of the things that can be done with this paste is to apply it to the body or headaches by rubbing the paste on the inflamed area.

4. Tablets, churna and pills: Brahmi may also take the tablet and capsule form, as it is very easy to take and is easily found in the market.

 Meditation can be used to supplement the effects of brahmi

Yoga is one of the balancing health methods and may assist in promoting cognitive wellness and brain health. Yoga involves body movements, breathing, and meditation, amongst other notion, to harmonize the mind, body and spirit. Numerous studies and trials have bare positive connection between yoga and mental health. Thus, yoga practice, meditation and breath exercises have the potential to be helpful in brain health.

Also, because the Vata dosha may be the cause of neurological disorders, it is imperative to eat a balanced diet, which does not worsen the vitiated dosha. That is why it is recommended to eat Pitta-pacifying and Kapha-pacifying meals that should be moderately sweet, warm, and easily digestible. Cold foods should also be stay away from, and it is also first-rate to indulge in massages with oils that are Vata-specific, such as sesame oil.

Brahmi is an ancient herb, which has several advantages

The herbs have demonstrated tremendous possibilities in promoting the brain, enhancing memory, and decreasing stress and age-related memory problems. The Ayurveda knowledge and scientific studies have come forward to support the power of the herb and recommend its use for our mental health. Therefore, to find the best brain health and intellectual abilities, you should find out about brahmi.