Brahmi
Bacopa monnieri
Bacopa, long used in Ayurvedic medicine for nerve and behavior problems. Reviews of trials suggest it may modestly improve memory and attention speed.
What is Brahmi?
- Plant family
- Plantaginaceae, the plantain family
- Genus
- Bacopa
- Species
- monnieri
Also called
Bacopa, Bacopa monnieri
Traditionally used for
- Memory
- Attention
- Learning
Traditionally described as
- Brain tonic (traditional)
Health topics
Where Brahmi appears in symptom search, and why. Being listed doesn't mean it's a proven treatment.
- Memory and Thinking
Reviews of trials suggest standardized extracts may improve memory and speed of attention in healthy adults.
Traditions that use it
Ayurveda
Long used for nerve and behavior problems.
What does the research say?
Traditional use
These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.
Brahmi has a long history in Ayurvedic medicine for nerve and behavior problems.[1]
Research in people
A 2014 meta-analysis of 9 trials with 518 people who took standardized brahmi extracts for at least 12 weeks found it improved thinking, especially the speed of attention. The trials were of good quality. The authors say a large trial comparing it with an existing medicine is needed.[1]
Technical detail: Trail B test −17.9 ms (95% CI −24.6 to −11.2); choice reaction time −10.6 ms; 437 participants in the pooled analysis.
A 2026 review of 29 trials with 2,107 healthy adults found that high doses of brahmi (600 mg a day or more) improved working and short-term memory more than lower doses, ginkgo or placebo. It didn't improve attention or processing speed. Few trials compared brahmi and ginkgo directly, which limits the findings.[2]
Technical detail: network meta-analysis; working memory SMD 2.03 (95% CI 1.28 to 2.78) vs placebo; SUCRA 100% for high-dose brahmi.
In short
Research on its safety is limited; talk to your doctor before using it.
Sources
- [1] Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on cognitive effects of Bacopa monnieri extract — Journal of Ethnopharmacology · DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.008Review or clinical trial
- [2] Comparative effects of Bacopa monnieri and Ginkgo biloba on cognitive functions: A systematic review and network meta-analysis — Phytomedicine · DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2026.157915Review or clinical trial
This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.