seeds of Bacopa monnieri, Brahmi, Indian Pennywort

Bacopa monnieri is an herb that is indigenous to the wetland regions in Africa, Australia, Eastern India, The Americas and Asia. This creeping herb is also referred to using other scientific names. Those names include Bramia monnieri (L.) Pennel, Gratiola monniera (L.) and Herpestis monniera. Within the realm of regular conversation, Bacopa monnieri is called Brahmi, Waterhyssop, Indian pennywort or Herb of Grace. The herb is mostly cultivated in Taiwan, China, Pakistan, India and Nepal. Bacopa monnieri has oblanceolate leaves that are oblong-shaped, succulent and have a thickness of between 4 and 9 mm. The flowers of the plant are small and possess a white corolla with 4 or 5 petals. Bacopa monnieri is non-aromatic and can comfortably grow in aquatic environments. The latter property is what makes it such a popular plant to grow in aquariums. Bacopa monnieri is used mostly for medicinal purposes in Indian healing practices which are collectively called Ayuverda. The herb is used in the treatment of inflammations, hair loss, ulcers, epilepsy. Anaemia and many other conditions. There is plenty of interest by medical researches into how Bacopa monnieri affects the body. It has, for example, been discovered that the herb might contain an activator which increases blood flow to the brain. One can also incorporate the sprigs in sandwiches and salads or eat them as they are. Doing a little bit of cutting here and there to get the sprigs will only boost the plant’s speed of growth. It should be noted, however, that the plant has a number of noted side-effects when used medicinally. Such side-effects include reduced sperm count, diarrhoea and cramping. The plant can mostly be found in marshy areas where it grows naturally or in ponds and gardens where it can be grown in a hydroponic way. Frost is deadly to Bacopa monnieri. It would, therefore, be prudent to pot the plant during the winter period till summer comes around.