Modern take on an ancient brain booster

Bacopa monniera is a creeping, white-flowered plant with succulent leaves, native to marshy areas of the southeastern United States, India and Pakistan. The plant, also known as water hyssop, has been used for centuries in ayurvedic medicine (a form of traditional medicine that originated in India) to improve heart and respiratory health, digestion and memory. Recent research shows it may be an effective antioxidant too.

*

Uses: Bacopa is used to enhance memory, concentration, cognition and learning capacity. It’s also sometimes taken to treat epilepsy and anxiety.

Dose: Supplements come in tablets, powder and syrup form. Manufacturers generally recommend 100 milligrams one to three times a day. The herb also appears in many multi-ingredient brain tonics.

Precautions: No adverse effects have been associated with recommended doses of bacopa.

Research: Test-tube studies show that some of bacopa’s chemical components can enhance nerve cell activity; they also suggest the plant may have anticancer properties. Studies of lab animals suggest that bacopa can improve memory and learning; prevent and cure ulcers; and stave off seizures related to epilepsy. Clinical trials in humans suggest the herb may be useful in curbing anxiety, but human studies on memory and learning have produced mixed results.

Dietary supplement makers are not required by the U.S. government to demonstrate that their products are safe or effective. Ask your healthcare provider for advice on selecting a brand.

*

-- Elena Conis