Dr. Andrea Middleton - Is It Bad For You? Approved by Dr. Andrea Middleton

Is Bacopa Monnieri Bad For You?

Also Known As: water hyssop, brahmi, herb of grace


Grade

B


Short answer

If you have conditions of the thyroid or lungs, then water hyssop may be bad for you. If you are in good health and consume it with food or soon after eating, it can have several positive effects, especially on the brain.

Grade

B


Long answer

Most commonly known as water hyssop or Brahmi, bacopa monnieri is a nootropic herb used extensively in Ayurvedic medicinal practice. It has many potential benefits, including first and foremost, improving memory by possibly inducing brain tissue regeneration. Other possible benefits include blood pressure regulation, protection against neonatal hypoglycemia, and reducing the risk of addiction to opioids. 

Furthermore, bacopa monnieri is an adaptogen, meaning it can help people cope with new or stressful situations. It also has antioxidant properties, in that it can help fight against free radicals, preventing oxidative stress and thereby reducing the risk of some forms of cancer. 

Taking Brahmi may have some negative side effects, especially when taken on an empty stomach, such as nausea, bloating, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal blockage. Also, studies done on male mice suggest that it may cause reversible negative effects on sperm generation, sperm count, and male fertility, though these effects have not yet been observed in humans. Other possible negative consequences of taking Brahmi include the worsening of asthma, emphysema and causing an increase in thyroid disorders. 

For otherwise healthy people, though, water hyssop can be a good way to prevent or treat short and long-term memory loss as well as help people who suffer from anxiety.


Possible short-term side effects

  • nausea
  • gastrointestinal blockage
  • vomiting
  • bloating
  • diarrhea worsen asthma
  • worsen thyroid conditions


Benefits

  • may:
  • prevent/treat amnesia
  • improve memory
  • induce brain tissue regeneration
  • improve hand-eye coordination in young children
  • help regulate blood pressure
  • help fight free radicals



Thank you for your feedback!

Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 03-11-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016

Thank you for your feedback!

Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 03-11-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016




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