Brahmi (water hyssop)
Bacopa monnieri
Other names: Brahmi (ब्राह्मी), Jalabrahmi, Brahmi (water hyssop)
Photo credit: Forest & Kim Starr
Safety information
Safety information
Toxicity: Mild; common GI side effects (nausea, cramping, increased stool frequency, dry mouth) — dose-related. LiverTox: low hepatotoxic potential.
Contraindications: Pregnancy/lactation (insufficient data); bradycardia/GI or urinary obstruction (cholinergic); caution with thyroid disorders and peptic ulcer.
Interactions: May potentiate sedatives; additive with cholinergic drugs / antagonism with anticholinergics; thyroid medication; possible additive with antiepileptics; calcium-channel blockers (preclinical).
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Insufficient data — avoid.
Evidence level
Supported by clinical trials in humans.
Preparations
ghee/medicated preparation · whole plant
Part used: whole plant
Traditional use: intellect-promoting (Medhya Rasayana)
standardized extract · whole plant / leaf
Part used: whole plant / leaf
Traditional use: memory/learning enhancer, sedative, anti-epileptic, anti-anxiety
Proposed mechanism: Bacosides (triterpenoid saponins) promote dendritic branching/synaptic activity, antioxidant neuroprotection, modulate acetylcholine/serotonin, inhibit acetylcholinesterase (preclinical)
Dosage note (descriptive only): Cognitive RCTs ~300 mg/day bacoside-titrated, benefits over ~12 weeks; GI side effects reduced with food
Associated conditions
Nutritional notes
Not a food; bioactives are bacosides (triterpenoid saponins).
Healing traditions
Sources (4)
- Kongkeaw 2014, J Ethnopharmacol (PMID 24252493)
- Lopresti 2025, Clin Drug Investig (PMID 41091332)
- Fatima 2022, Front Nutr (PMID 36061899)
- LiverTox: Bacopa monnieri, NIDDK 2024 (PMID 38718157)