Bacopa

Botanical Name : Bacopa monniera

Part Used Aerial Parts.

Energetics Cooling so I suggest teaming it with warming herbs like ginger

Taste Very Bitter-

Botany Bacopa is a flowering perennial in the Plantain family, which also includes mullein, ribwort and plantain.

History

Bacopa is native to Southern India and has a long history of use in traditional Indian Medicine, Ayurveda. It was first mentioned in ancient texts dating back 6000 BCE where it is classified as a Medhya rasayana which is a herb specifically to improve memory and intellect and longevity.  In Hindi, bacopa is referred to as Brahmi, which has caused all sorts of confusion over the years as often gotu kola is referred to by the same name.  Turns out that both plants are thought to enhance the intellect and are thus associated with Brahma, the ancient Hindu god of creation and knowledge. It has also been used in Hindu newborn baby rituals throughout the centuries out of the belief that it will open the child’s gateways to knowledge.

ACTIONS

Neuroprotective, nootropic, cerebral tonic, nervine, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, THYROID STIMULANT

  • Memory focus Bacopa is used to promote memory and focus and is shown to enhance the speed of recall and  reducing  the amount of time to focus between switching. This is so important for us in the world we all live in as we are constantly being distracted by phones etc.

  • Attention Bacopa is indicated for people with long standing, constitutional attention and focus issues. It may also be of benefit for people with procrastination tendencies.  

  • Focuses Mental Energy The bitter taste of herbs brings energy downwards and in this case, it helps to harness in energies and ideas that are floating around. Its specifically for people who run hot and are ideas people.

  • Supports recall & working memory Bacopa is indicated to support heallthy memory and efficient recall in otherwise healthy adults. It may also support those with brain fog associated with perimenopause and recreational drug use.

  • Nervous system damage/Brain trauma – Bacopa is thought to support repair to the nervous system after traumatic injuries. Indicated for

  • Anxiolytic and Mood Tonic Bacopa is supremely calming for the nervous system and nourishing without being sedating.  Therefore, it helps provide calm focus and is useful in stress, anxiety, and mood issues as well

  • Thyroid Support Bacopa may mildly boost thyroid function as well; studies show it increases levels of the thyroid hormone T4 but not T3.

  • Joyful herb I love bacopa, it is a beautiful and easy plant to grow and rewards you with lovely little flowers.

Contraindications – Bacopa is a very bitter so can cause an upset stomach in high doses

Growing: Bacopa monnieri is known as Water hyssop and this gives a cue as to the growing conditions it prefers.  It loves to have very moist soil and will grow in full sun to full shade as long as it gets enough water. In fact, it will grow fully submerged in water so is used a lot as an aquarium plant.  Thus it makes a perfect choice for waterlogged areas, ponds and as a low growing creeping plant, it doubles as a very pretty, lush ground cover. It will also tolerate salt spray so can be grown in coastal regions.  It is perfectly suited to the Northern regions in New Zealand as it is frost sensitive but can be grown in cooler regions in containers, bought inside over winter. it has a beautiful trailing habit which makes it a lovely hanging basket as its foliage is very green and it has white to purple star shaped flowers that attract butterflies.

Processing – You use all aerial parts and they are succulent so I would put into the dehydrator for at least 12 hours at around 40 degrees

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