Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri): Up-to-date of memory boosting medicinal plant: A review

Abstract

Bacopa monnieri, Family: Plantaginaceae, known as water hyssop, herb of grace or Indian penny wort, is one of the traditional medicinal plants in Ayurveda medicine, where it is also called Brahmi, a name derived from Brahma, the creator God of the Hindu Pantheon. It is now being widely promoted to enhance memory, learning and concentration and also to treat anxiety, depression, and systemic disorders like cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hepatic, neurological and also respiratory problems. Further, Brahmi has been shown to possess anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Its phytochemical substances are alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, and the important constituents such as bacosides, bacopasides, and bacopasaponins, which all of these contribute to its remedial properties. This article provides a brief overview of the memory boosting activity of brahmi, (B. monnieri), to further provide an upto- date review showing its importance especially, memory boosting.