Brahmi is an herbal remedy made from the Bacopa monnieri plant, also called water hyssop. You might use brahmi to improve your mental function or treat allergies, depression or anxiety. The safety of taking brahmi during pregnancy is unknown, so you must consult your doctor before taking the remedy while pregnant to discuss the potential risks and correct dosage.
History
Brahmi is a marsh-grown plant that grows natively in parts of India and is used as a water plant in many areas in the world, says the University of Michigan Health System. For thousands of years, brahmi has been used in Ayurvedic medicine in India to treat asthma, water retention and a variety of mental-health, heart and nervous-system problems. In traditional Indian medicine, brahmi was used as a treatment for depression, insomnia, epilepsy and other similar ailments, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Function
Brahmi's major compounds are called bacosides, which appear to improve learning and mental function, as well as to increase the effects of the neurotransmitters serotonin and acetylcholine, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Brahmi may also have relaxing effects on the blood vessels, respiratory passages and intestines. Another significant function of brahmi is the herb's strong antioxidant actions that protect your body's cells from damage due to free radicals, DrugDigest.org notes. These antioxidant actions are specifically beneficial to protecting cells in the brain.
Uses
Based on these purported effects on the brain, brahmi is sometimes recommended for improving mental function and memory, as well as for treating depression and narcotic addictions, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Brahmi's apparent relaxing effects on the respiratory airways and intestines has spurred its recommended use for treating allergies, asthma and stomach ulcers as well. Brahmi could also help treat anxiety, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease and age-related cognitive decline, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Other uses for brahmi include treating hypothyroidism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder--ADHD, liver damage and gastrointestinal ailments, DrugDigest.org states.
Considerations
These recommended uses for brahmi don't relate directly to pregnancy or breast-feeding, but you might benefit from taking brahmi to relieve anxiety, depression, asthma or allergies while pregnant. Just be sure to talk with your physician before taking brahmi or any other herbal remedy during pregnancy. Consulting your doctor is crucial because little scientific research has proven the safety of brahmi use during pregnancy and while breast-feeding, DrugDigest.org says.
Warning
Like other natural remedies and conventional medications, brahmi can cause side effects and interact with certain drugs. Brahmi can cause elevated blood levels of thyroid hormones and upset stomach, DrugDigest.org warns. Other reported side effects from taking brahmi include dry mouth, muscle fatigue and nausea, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Brahmi can potentially cause dangerous interactions with medications like levothyroxine, propylthiouracil or methimizole to treat thyroid conditions. Keep in mind that no comprehensive safety testing has been conducted on brahmi, so other health dangers, drug interactions and side effects may exist, cautions the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
