Today I would like to share the wonderful healing power of Brahmi (Vallaarai in Tamil). It is a well known memory booster. There are 2 varieties of Brahmi with the botanical names - Bacopa Monnieri and Centella Asiatica. The name "Brahmi" is used interchangeably. Both are used in Ayurveda/ Siddha medicines extensively for all neurological and psychological issues including Autism, ADHD, Alzheimer, Depression, Dementia, Schizophrenia etc.
Every disease starts in the gut. When it comes to neurological/ psychological diseases, gut health plays a main role. Lack of friendly bacteria in the gut affects the production of neurotransmitters which eventually leads to anxiety, depression, hyperactivity etc. Takra (Ayurvedic Buttermilk) is the best pro-biotic. It is prescribed to almost all patients affected from psychological disorders. This will bring back the friendly bacteria and improves gut health. More about the healing power of Takra will be coming in a future article. In Ayurveda, next to Takra, Brahmi is usually the first herb prescribed for strengthening the mind.
Some of the benefits of Brahmi are listed below
- anti-toxin
- anti-oxidant
- neuro-protective
- good for liver
- stress buster
- decreases anxiety
- improves behavioral pattern in kids with Autism, ADD, ADHD
- improves mental clarity
- heart tonic
- calms mind
- provides good sleep
- improves focus and concentration
- slows ageing
- relaxes central nervous system
- helps to meditate better
- treats eczema, psoriasis & ulcers
Brahmi helps in coordinating your mind with the light of soul. I mentioned in one of my articles about the 3 intellects - dhi(power of learning), dritti(power of retaining), smriti(power of recalling). Brahmi coordinates between and strengthens these intellects. It is good for detoxifying the cellular system and to regain its intelligence. It also helps in stress-induced inflammatory pain. They also support our skin. The anti-oxidant property of Brahmi suppresses neuronal oxidative stress and the acetylecholinesterase inhibitory activities. This property helps in treating neurological disorders. It helps in maintaining normal blood pressure. Due to its bronco-dilatory effect, it is used in treating Asthma.
Fresh Brahmi greens are available in India as well as in some Indian stores in the U.S. You don't have to eat it everyday to boost your memory. Just once or twice a month in a cooked chutney form will help a lot. Here are some suggestions to include Brahmi in your diet
- Ghee sauteed Brahmi leaves + roasted black urad dhal + Roasted black pepper + roasted cumin + juice of Thai Sweet Tamarind (or Garcinia Cambogia/Kudampuli/Malabar Tamarind) + Himalayan Pink salt. Grind it into a fine paste and have it as a side-dish.
- Add ghee sauteed Brahmi leaves to cooked moong dhal.
- For kids you can saute few leaves in ghee and let them have it with rice/idly/dosa/soups/dhal/
sambar/rasam or even top those sauteed leaves on their pizza or pasta (of-course, everything homemade).
Even if you are a spicy-food lover, please don't make Brahmi dishes spicy. It might aggravate body heat. Also always cook it with ghee to be more balancing. Instead of pleading or yelling at your hyperactive kid to stay calm, just give them a little Brahmi and see the magic. Of-course they have to stop munching junk foods to get Brahmi's full benefits :)
I remember, as a child, eating Brahmi candy. Back then I didn't know that Brahmi is a leafy green and thought it is some bitter medicine given in candy form to boost memory. Only god knows what all ingredients it had!! :) It definitely worked though, at-least as a placebo ;)
Please don't give health drinks like Complan, Horlicks, Pediasure etc to your kids. They are highly processed and contain lot of chemicals. Instead, give them Brahmi to boost their memory naturally without side-effects. Several researches are going on in the medical field to study the miraculous power of Brahmi. We are lucky enough since our ancestors have taught us how to take it as a food rather than a pill. There are lot of herbs like Ashwagandha, Jatamansi & Tulsi to treat psychological disorders, which I will share in my future articles. For now, please remember Brahmi and don't forget to include it in your family's diet. :)
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