The health benefits of Brahmi tea are known in Indian Ayurvedic medicine as being particularly potent against motor and nerve disorders. Possessing a pungent and bitter flavor, brahmi has nervine, tonic, mild sedative and diuretic properties.
Brahmi is a perennial creeping herb with small white flowers. It grows on wetlands and muddy shores and is commonly found in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Vietnam and increasingly in the southern parts of the United States.
Also known by its official name of bacopa monnieri, brahmi is grown for both medicinal and culinary purposes. Long known as a “food for the brain”, brahmi has been used since the 6 th century in Ayurvedic medicine as a powerful cognitive enhancer. Brahmi is still widely used by students and schoolchildren in India to help in brain functions. The herb is also used extensively in Vietnamese dishes.
Among the active constituents of brahmi are compounds such as hersaponin and bacosides, which are known to help improve the transmission of nerve cells to the brain.
The health benefits of brahmi can be derived through an infusion of the herb. Brahmi tea can be made by immersing ½ teaspoon of dried brahmi herbs into one cup of boiling water. Let soak and steep for about 5 minutes then drink.
The health benefits believed to come from this brew are the following:
- May help improve the memory and enhance mental functions, agility and alertness. It is particularly helpful in retention of new information.
- May help to calm the mind and promote relaxation.
- May help improve motor learning ability.
- May help promote greater concentration and focus.
- May be helpful in treatment of asthma.
- May be helpful in the treatment of epilepsy.
- May be helpful against indigestion.