by Sheela Rani Chunkath
Brahmi, a herb named after the supreme consciousness Brahma, is a small-leaved plant that grows in marshy soil. Brahmi or Bacopa monnieri is not Vellarai or Centella asiatica. I find that there is total confusion between the two plants since Brahmi is a brain tonic but it is Vellarai which has leaves shaped like a brain.
I have never taken any Brahmi preparations nor have I recommended it to my friends and relatives. With more and more elderly relatives suffering from memory problems this would be the drug that could help them with their memory issues and sleeplessness at night. It helps normalise blood pressure and has a strong antioxidant activity. I find the net is full of suppliers offering Brahmi powder in various forms and encouraging people to consume it. However our sages knew that the principal ingredients of Brahmi are only fat-soluble and therefore did not formulate a Brahmi chooranam. Instead, we have the Brahmi ghrtam and tailam in our traditional pharmacopeia. Brahmi ghrtam is a ghee-based formulation.
A paste is made of trikatu (the three pungents, namely, dried ginger, pepper and pippali). Turpeth, danti moola (croton roots), Aparajita (Clitoria ternatea or Sankupushpi) bark of aragvadha (Indian laburnum or Cassia fistula), bark of Saptachada (Alstonia scholaris) and fruits of Vidanga (Embelia ribes). Most readers will be familiar with trikatu, the blue and white flowers of Sankupushpi which grows almost wild on fences and gardens of older folks (many of them being familiar with its medicinal and auspicious qualities), and of the pretty yellow showers of Cassia fistula that we often see on the roadside. Saptachada has clusters of small pretty white flowers and is not so common a plant. Anyway our sages of yore assembled all these, made a paste of its flowers, leaves or barks. Then the paste was mixed with ghee and the juice of the leaves of Brahmi and water and heated moderately. The cooled mixture is the Brahmi ghrtam. It is a brain and nervine tonic, a restorative and stimulant. It also improves memory.
Bacopa monnieri contains the alkaloids brahmine, herpestamine, saponins, bacoside A and bacoside B. Bacoside A and bacoside B are considered Brahmi's most important therapeutic constituents. Because of these constituents, Brahmi is often prescribed for epilepsy, psychiatric disorders such as dementia, Alzheimer's, neuralgia, poor concentration and memory.
Brahmi tailam is made by first making a soft paste of haritaki (Terminalia chebula) with Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi) cinnamon leaves, and sandalwood. This paste is mixed with the juice of Brahmi, juice of amla, and sesame oil. The entire mixture is heated and filtered to get the famous Brahmi oil. It is applied to the scalp and is said to improve memory. Sandalwood imparts a cooling property to the oil.
Brahmi ghrtam can be given for older people with memory problems and restlessness. Normally 5-10 gm is mixed with lukewarm water and given once a day. I have decided to wait a while before personally taking it. The Brahmi tailam or oil is cooling and should not be applied if the person has a tendency for colds, coughs and fevers. In mid May it could be the oil of choice. However, Brahmi ghrtam can be used during any season does not have any side effects. The ghrtam should not be used during pregnancy except under medical supervision.
--- The writer is retired Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu. She can be reached at Sheelarani.arogyamantra@gmail. com. Earlier articles can be accessed at http://arogyamantra.blogspot.com/