Common name: Water Hyssop, Indian pennywort, Brahmi ब्राह्मी (Hindi), நீர்ப்pராமி Nirbrahmi (Tamil), Jalanevari (Gujarati)
Botanical name: Bacopa monnieri Family: Scrophulariaceae (dog flower family)
Brahmi is a perennial, creeping herb whose habitat includes wetlands and muddy
shores.
The leaves of this plant are succulent and relatively thick. Leaves are
oblanceolate and are arranged oppositely on the stem. The flowers are small
and white, with four or five petals. Its ability to grow in water makes it a
popular aquarium plant. It can even grow in slightly brackish conditions.
Propagation is often achieved through cuttings.
It commonly grows in marshy areas throughout India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China,
Taiwan, and is also found in Florida and other southern states where it can be
grown in damp conditions by the pond or bog garden.
Medicinal uses: Famed in Ayurvedic medicine, brahmi has antioxidant
properties. It has been reported to reduce oxidation of fats in the blood
stream, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. It has been used
for centuries to help benefit epilepsy, memory capacity, increase
concentration, and reduce stress-induced anxiety. It is listed as a nootropic,
a drug that enhances cognitive ability.
According to Ayurveda, it is bitter, pungent, heating, emetic,
laxative and useful in bad ulcers, tumours, ascites, enlargement of spleen,
indigestion, inflammations, leprosy, anaemia, biliousness etc. According to
Unani system of medicine, it is bitter, aphrodisiac, good in scabies,
leucoderma, syphilis etc. It is promising blood purifier and useful in
diarrhea and fevers.
| Photographed in Garden of Five Senses, Delhi. |
Identification credit: Navendu Pagé
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