Brahmi is really a cerebral tonic highly revered in Ayurveda and considered king among herbs. The plant looks just like the cerebellum and is said to synchronize the hemispheres of the brain. It enhances memory and cognition and promotes hair growth. It's positive effects on the human body and mind and is an amazing aid to meditation.
Brahmi means 'knowledge.' Ayurveda says it works magnificently against senile decay and lack of memory. It may enhance vaak chaturyam (verbal talents). Brahmi, a 'weed,' grows in marshlands, reservoirs and near rivers and lakes in India and South Africa. This creeper trails along the floor, rooting at the nodes, and has small light green leaves fluted around the edges. It tastes bitter. The entire plant, especially leaves, is useful for medicinal purposes.
In accordance with Swami Sivananda, Brahmi is a very precious herb, "an alternative tonic, aperient, diuretic, stimulant, emmenagogue (increases menstrual flow) and local stimulant
Brahmi in the form of powder is useful in diarrhea, dysentery, fever, hoarseness of voice due to consumption, elephantiasis, orchitis, scrofula, leprosy, jaundice, chronic skin diseases, skin eruptions such as for example eczema, lupus psoriasis, syphilis, gonorrhoea, dropsy, leucorrhoea, nervous debility and seminal weakness. Brahmi is a tonic for brain and nerves. It increases memory and bestows long life."
Botanical name: Bacopa monniera, Scrophulariaceae; English: Indian pennywort, Thyme leaved gratiola; Sanskrit: Brahmi, Somavati, Sarosvati; Hindi: Barami.Jalneem, Khulakudi; Gujarati: karbrahmi; Tamil: Vallarai; Malayalam: muttil. kodakan.