ABEY THOMAS T. 
Natural Remedies, Bangalore, India

Abstract

Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) is a creeping plant found mostly in the Indian subcontinent. Bacopa preparations in Ayurvedic medicine called Brahmi Rasayana has been in use for centuries due to its beneficial activity on the central nervous system. Brain health is gaining prominence for all age groups, from children to seniors with the market expected to reach $11.6 Billion by 2024. The increasing availability of scientific literature on the efficacy, safety, and mechanisms of action of Bacopa in supporting memory and learning for children and the elderly are making this herb an attractive proposition for supplement manufacturers looking to offer innovative natural solutions for brain health.

INTRODUCTION

Bacopa monnieri, also known as water hyssop and Brahmi, is a creeping plant found mostly in the Indian subcontinent, including East Asia, Australia, and the United States. The genus Bacopa contains more than 100 species of the plant, and it has white to light purple flowers and small leaves (1).

Ayurvedic physicians, the practitioners of the traditional system of medicine of India, have been using Bacopa for thousands of years. The ancient Ayurvedic texts including the Caraka Samhita (2500 B.C.) and the Susrata Samhita (2300 B.C.) documents the beneficial activity of Bacopa on the central nervous system (CNS) (2, 3).

DEMOGRAPHICS OF BRAIN HEALTH

All age-groups from children to seniors require a healthy brain for day to day activities. The National Centre for Education Statistics, USA, estimates around 34% of public-school students receiving special education services had specific learning disabilities (4). A national survey conducted in 2016 identified approximately 6 million American children with ADHD. (5). Brain health has a significant impact on the elderly with a recent report ac ...