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Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph

Water Hyssop

Bacopa monnieri

Family PlantaginaceaeParts used Leaf, Whole PlantAlso known as Bacopa, brahmi, herb of grace

This monograph compiles 4 pharmacological actions, 6 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 15 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory[9, 13]
Antioxidant[6, 8, 9, 13]
Neuroprotective / cognition support[1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 13, 14, 15]
Sedative / sleep support[1, 13]

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain[13]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →
Cognitive function[13, 14, 15]Moderate · 6/10

inferred from neuroprotective action

more plants for cognitive function →detailed sources →
Inflammation (general)[13]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →
Insomnia / sleeplessness[13]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from sedative action

more plants for insomnia / sleeplessness →detailed sources →
Memory[13, 14, 15]Moderate · 6/10

inferred from neuroprotective action

more plants for memory →detailed sources →
Skin irritation[13]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note[13, 14, 15]Caution

Generally well tolerated at standard doses. The most commonly reported side effects are gastrointestinal — nausea, stomach cramps, and increased bowel movements — which can be reduced by taking with food. Not recommended during pregnancy. May interact with medications that increase acetylcholine levels (e.g. Alzheimer's medications). Use with caution in thyroid conditions, as bacopa may increase thyroid hormone levels.

Safety note[13, 14, 15]Info

Duke (2002) does not include a dedicated entry for Bacopa monnieri (water hyssop/brahmi) in the Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition.

References

REF-0740, REF-0741, REF-0742, REF-2107, REF-2108, REF-2109, REF-2110, REF-2111, REF-2112, REF-2113, REF-2114, REF-2115

References & Sources

  1. Calabrese, C., Gregory, W.L., Leo, M., Kraemer, D. et al (2008) 'Effects of a standardized Bacopa monnieri extract on cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in the elderly: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial', Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 14(6), pp. 707-713. doi:10.1089/acm.2008.0018 Randomized trial
    https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2008.0018
  2. Lorca, C., Mulet, M., Arévalo-Caro, C., Sanchez, M.Á. et al (2022) 'Plant-derived nootropics and human cognition: A systematic review', Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 63(22), pp. 5521-5545. doi:10.1080/10408398.2021.2021137 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2021.2021137
  3. Fatima, U., Roy, S., Ahmad, S., Ali, S. et al (2022) 'Pharmacological attributes of Bacopa monnieri extract: Current updates and clinical manifestation', Frontiers in Nutrition, 9, pp. 972379. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.972379 Traditional / reference
    https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.972379
  4. Kongkeaw, C., Dilokthornsakul, P., Thanarangsarit, P., Limpeanchob, N. and Norman Scholfield, C (2014) 'Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on cognitive effects of Bacopa monnieri extract', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 151(1), pp. 528-535. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.008 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.008
  5. Vinod, A., Sathianarayanan, S., Babu, A.E., Sadanandan, P., Venu, A.K. and Venkidasamy, B (2022) 'Bacopa monnieri for disorders affecting brain: current perspectives', Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, 22(23), pp. 1909-1929. doi:10.2174/1568026622666220119111538 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.2174/1568026622666220119111538
  6. Dubey, T., Kushwaha, P., Thulasiram, H.V., Chandrashekar, M. and Chinnathambi, S (2023) 'Bacopa monnieri reduces Tau aggregation and Tau-mediated toxicity in cells', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 234, pp. 123171. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123171 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123171
  7. Shalini, V.T., Neelakanta, S.J. and Sriranjini, J.S (2021) 'Neuroprotection with Bacopa monnieri - a review of experimental evidence', Molecular Biology Reports, 48(3), pp. 2653-2668. doi:10.1007/s11033-021-06236-w Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-021-06236-w
  8. Simpson, T., Pase, M. and Stough, C (2015) 'Bacopa monnieri as an antioxidant therapy to reduce oxidative stress in the aging brain', Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015, pp. 615384. doi:10.1155/2015/615384 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/615384
  9. Saini, N., Singh, D. and Sandhir, R (2019) 'Bacopa monnieri prevents colchicine-induced dementia by anti-inflammatory action', Metabolic Brain Disease, 34(2), pp. 505-518. doi:10.1007/s11011-018-0332-1 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-018-0332-1
  10. Dubey, T. and Chinnathambi, S (2019) 'Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri): an ayurvedic herb against the Alzheimer's disease', Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 676, pp. 108153. doi:10.1016/j.abb.2019.108153 Meta-analysis / review
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abb.2019.108153
  11. Bhandari, P., Kumar, N., Singh, B. and Kaul, V.K (2007) 'Cucurbitacins from Bacopa monnieri', Phytochemistry, 68(9), pp. 1248-1254. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2007.03.013 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2007.03.013
  12. Sivaramakrishna, C., Rao, C.V., Trimurtulu, G., Vanisree, M. and Subbaraju, G.V (2005) 'Triterpenoid glycosides from Bacopa monnieri', Phytochemistry, 66(23), pp. 2719-2728. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2005.09.016 Preclinical
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2005.09.016
  13. World Health Organization (2002) 'WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants'. Traditional / reference
    Find this source
  14. Calabrese, C., Gregory, W.L., Leo, M., Kraemer, D., Bone, K. and Oken, B (2008) 'Effects of a standardized Bacopa monnieri extract on cognitive performance, anxiety, and depression in the elderly', 14(6), pp. 707--713. Randomized trial
    Find this source
  15. Stough, C., Lloyd, J., Clarke, J., Downey, L.A., Hutchison, C.W., Rodgers, T. and Nathan, P.J (2001) 'The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects', 156(4), pp. 481--484. Randomized trial
    Find this source

Record last updated 2026-06-20 · Provenance: book+pubmed · Status: verified

This fact sheet is generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and reflects its latest synced data. It is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.

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