A CRITICAL REVIEW ON BRAHMI [BACOPA MONNIERA(L.) PENNELL]

Dr. Neetu, *Dr. Harish Kumar Singhal and Dr. Amit Kataria

ABSTRACT

Traditionally Brahmi is described in various ancient authentic textbooks like Charaka Samhita, Atharva-Veda and Sushruta Samhita as a medhya rasayana that taken to sharpen intellect and attenuate mental deficits. Latin name of this medicinal herb is Bacopa Monniera (L.) Pennell. Due to its varied therapeutic potential, it has now become a subject of interest for modern scientific attention. To explore this drug and its properties we made an effort to collect literature mentioned in ancient textbook backed with recent research evidences. To achieve this, known database like pubmed, medline were selected for studies from 1980 to till today. Data obtained in english language from clinical and experimental studies on Bacopa Monniera (L.) Pennell were considered. This is concluded from study that Brahmi (Bacopa Monniera (L.) Pennell) shows effects on cognition, learning disorders, ADHD, epileptic seizures, memory, free radical scavenger activity, anxiety, depression, thyroid gland and carcinogenic activity.

Keywords: Bacopa Monniera (L.) Pennell, Brahmi, Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Atharava veda.