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Health Benefits of Brahmi. A traditional, therapeutic herb native to India, brahmi (also known as Bacopa monnieri) is commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine as a memory enhancer, aphrodisiac, and general tonic. Here are just a few of the health benefits attributed to brahmi. Promotes Comfort. Many diseases, brain and otherwise, are connected to chronic irritation and redness in the body. Plants like brahmi and turmeric have been studied extensively for their ability to fight discomfort and systemic redness. One review has identified brahmi as a potential therapy for chronic discomfort and neuropathy. Stress Reduction. If the effects of daily stressors are getting the best of you, brahmi supplementation may be something to explore. Stress reduction is perhaps brahmi’s most well known, traditional use. A study evaluating brahmi supplementation reported significant mood improvement among participants, as well as decreased levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. This suggests that brahmi counteracts the effects of stress by regulating hormones involved with the stress response. Boosts Cognitive Agility. A recent, placebo- controlled study of 2. The soothing aroma of sandalwood benefits the mind by helping it relax. Moreover, this herb has a cooling effect. It is beneficial in curing a number of issues like. These results support use of the herb as a therapy by persons suffering from cognitive issues, short attention span, foggy memory, and blurred focus. Alzheimer’s Therapy? Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating and heartbreaking disease, usually caused by a plethora of physiological, genetic, and environmental factors. Amyloid formation in neurons can cause significant brain damage and influence the development of Alzheimer’s disease. It’s important to understand that, to date, no herb, plant, drug, or anything — including brahmi — has been found to be the magic bullet against Alzheimer’s. Based on its history as an herbal therapy to promote neurological function, some have suggested that brahmi may be a promising therapy for Alzheimer’s. ![]() Free herb information - GOTU KOLA - from Isabell Shipards herb book - How can I use HERBS in my daily life? Biovatica.Com brings List of 50 free Indian Ayurveda Home Remedies for Erectile Dysfunction, ayurveda erectile dysfunction. When used for an extended time period, gudmar reduces blood sugar levels. It forms one of the ingredients in the manufacture of all natural medication for diabetes. According to "The Yoga of Herbs," brahmi has tranquilizing effects, and in large doses may relax the nervous system so much that it leads to loss. Protection Against Toxic Compounds. Nobody ever said French fries were healthy but do you realize just how toxic they can be? Enter acrylamide. Acrylamide is a toxic compound that forms when starches are heated above 2. Acrylamide is a carcinogen that also damages brain tissue. In animal models, brahmi supplementation protected brain cells exposed to acrylamide from oxidative stress and neurotoxic effects. But, it appears that, among its other benefits, brahmi offers effective means for stimulating and protecting brain function, without the negative side effects commonly associated with other options. Is brahmi part of your daily supplementation? What’s your experience? Please leave a comment below and share with us! References (1. 0)Gubbannavar JS, Chandola HM, Harisha CR, Khanpara K, Shukla VJ. A comparative pharmacognostical and preliminary physico- chemical analysis of stem and leaf of Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennel and Bacopa floribunda (R. BR.) Wettst. 2. 01. Jan; 3. 4(1): 9. 5- 1. Preclinical profile of bacopasides from Bacopa monnieri (BM) as an emerging class of therapeutics for management of chronic pains. Curr Med Chem. 2. Haitian Lu, Weiming Ouyang, and Chuanshu Huang. Inflammation, a Key Event in Cancer Development. Mol Cancer Res. April 2. Kathryn E. Wellen and G. Hotamisligil. Inflammation, stress, and diabetes. J Clin Invest. 2. The inflammatory response in Alzheimer’s disease. J Periodontal. 2. Aug; 7. 9(8 Suppl): 1. An Acute, Double- Blind, Placebo- Controlled Cross- over Study of 3. Doses of Bacopa monnieri (CDRI 0. Multitasking Stress Reactivity and Mood. Phytother Res. 2. Jun 2. 1. The cognitive- enhancing effects of Bacopa monnieri: a systematic review of randomized, controlled human clinical trials. J Altern Complement Med. Jul; 1. 8(7): 6. 47- 5. An Acute, Double- Blind, Placebo- Controlled Crossover Study of 3. Doses of a Special Extract of Bacopa monnieri (CDRI 0. Sustained Cognitive Performance. Phytother Res. 2. Sep; 2. 7(9): 1. 40. Current View from Alzheimer Disease to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. Sep 1. 9. Shinomol GK, Raghunath N, Bharath MM, Muralidhara. Prophylaxis with Bacopa monnieri attenuates acrylamide induced neurotoxicity and oxidative damage via elevated antioxidant function. Cent Nerv Syst Agents Med Chem. Mar; 1. 3(1): 3- 1. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Global Healing Center does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. The views and nutritional advice expressed by Global Healing Center are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician. Free herb information - GOTU KOLA. Herb Info. Hydrocotyle asiatica F. Apiaceae. Description. Perennial, creeping, ground cover, which roots at the nodes, as it spreads over the ground. Leaves, from 2- 4cm wide, and kidney- shaped, with a v- shaped slot, where the leaf joins the stem: often with serrated margins, which gives them the appearance of miniature fans. Size of leaves can depend on climate, season, soil structure, fertility and growing position: whether in sun or shade. When plants are grown in the shade, they tend to have large leaves and very long petioles. This petiole stem can have a pink/purple tinge. Pink flowers 5mm across, usually set 2 to 4, side by side, as an umbel, developing from the stem nodes. Flowers are so small (and often hidden underneath leaves) that, generally, the flower is not noticed at all. It is only under a microscope that the flower’s beauty is seen. Although gotu kola belongs to the umbel family of plants, now classified as Apiaceae, there is very little resemblance to other umbel plants: like parsley, dill, fennel and coriander. Seeds, of gotu kola, form in flat, oval capsules, usually containing two tiny, brown, kidneyshaped seeds. The leaves of this species can be slightly longer than broad, with sinuate or faintly crenate margins and minute, purple flowers. There are numerous other . Native Violet (Viola hederacea) (see p 3. Coast Pennywort (Hydrocotyle bonariensis) which has a creeping root; the leaf- stem is attached to the centre of the leaf with broad, scalloped margins. It is believed to have been introduced into Australia, from South America, where it has had traditional use for urinary disorders and as an antiinflammatory. Alehoof (Glecoma hederacea) a hardy, creeping, ground cover, with dainty, kidney- shaped leaves and crenate margins: these can be used as salad greens, medicinally for colds and as a liver tonic (see p 2. Other plants that have a visual resemblance to gotu kola are several Ranunculus species, which have similar leaf formation; and other Hydrocotyle species. Before using gotu kola, it is important to make sure that it is the correct plant. I remember, several years ago, when a lady told me she had been using the native violet for some time, thinking it was gotu kola. A legendary saying, in reference to gotu kola was: . In Sinhalese culture, they valued the herb to strengthen and revitalize worn out bodies and brains; eating 2- 3 leaves a day to bring about a gradual return to health and strength, provided that the body is exposed to the sun, for a time, each day. In Ancient China, the herb was a principal ingredient in an elixir called . Many herbalists have called gotu kola: the finest of all herb tonics. It appears, they say, to have no equal in the treatment of general debility and decline. Digestion is strengthened (no doubt aided by the bitter properties) and food better utilized, with the process of overall metabolism, increased. Gotu kola has been called . In India, gotu kola is a traditional remedy for skin conditions, wounds and bruises. With controlled tests, in which an extract of gotu kola was applied, to 2. At Sydney University, research on wound healing is being carried out, following invitro studies on the herb. It is one of the most important, rejuvenating herbs in Ayurvedic medicine, particularly valued for: revitalising nerve and brain cells, promoting calmness and clarity, helping poor memory and lack of concentration, increasing meditation ability and to help balance the left and right hemispheres of the brain. Valued as a brain food, for improving intelligence and reflexes, it has been a herb students have used for: renewing mental alertness, clarity, and energy levels, without the . It can be used throughout life. Gotu kola contains neither caffeine, nor theobromine. It was the life history of the renowned Chinese herbalist Professor Li Chung Yun, who lived to the age of 2. Herbs he recommended, most highly, were gotu kola and ginseng. He was born in 1. New York Times announced the death of this remarkable Oriental, whose life span had reached over two and a half centuries. The Chinese Government officially recorded his age. Professor Li, at the age of 2. Chinese University. Those who learned from him, declared that he did not appear older that a man of 5. Besides recommending life- extending herbs, his lectures gave clear- cut guidelines, for those who wished to enjoy a long life. He stressed; one should never be in a hurry .. He taught his students to sit as calmly as a tortoise, walk as sprightly as a bird, and sleep as soundly as a dog. He advocated avoiding extremes of emotion of all kinds, especially as a person grows older, as nothing drains energy from the body as rapidly, or disrupts the functional harmony of vital organs, as completely, as stress or strong outbursts of emotion. Daily physical exercise and deep breathing was important, as also was a simple, primarily vegetarian, diet; and on hot, summer nights, over- eating should be avoided (as it causes stagnation of the blood and lowered energy). On cold, winter mornings, extra quantities of nourishing foods should be eaten, to provide the extra essence and energy the body required, for keeping warm. It is said that in the Orient, where gotu kola is primarily regarded as a herb for longevity, there are many recorded examples of unusual longevity, attained by those who used the plant, regularly. Elephants seek out gotu kola as a favourite food. Could it be that the strength of the animal, the unfailing memory and its long life, are due to regular consumption of the herb? After Li Chung Yun’s death in 1. In India, scientific documentation of clinical tests, by Dr. M. V. R. Appa Ras and his associates, showed increased mental activity of children in the trials. Fifteen, mentally retarded children were given a 5. After trials of three months, the children showed increased powers of attention and concentration, considerably above that of the fifteen children in the placebo group. Results also showed significant increase in IQ (4. Biochemical studies revealed, gotu kola benefited the replacement rate of biogenic amines: the chemicals in our brains which act as neuro- transmitters, involved in learning and memory process. As one of it’s common names implies, . In fact, some herbalists regard gotu kola as highly as ginseng, and more affordable: besides, it is easy to grow. Note, gotu kola is not Withania somnifera, which also has the common name of Indian ginseng (see p 1. I always find it most interesting, when I dig a plant, that may be 3 to 5 years or more of age, that the root has a resemblance to ginseng root, and to the torso of the human body. This indicates a doctrine of signatures significance, of . Research from the U. S. National Institute on Ageing, showed that high blood pressure can lead to atrophy and shrinkage of the brain. The study also showed, that: years of high blood pressure raises the amount of a liquid, known as cerebrospinal fluid, inside the skull, and lowers the amount of white matter. Who wants less white matter? Gotu kola’s constituents have a strong blood purifying action, and help to lower serum cholesterol levels; this could be mainly due to the action of Beta- sitosterol. The plant saponins help the function of the immune system, by assisting in breaking down the walls of diseased cells, making microbes easier to kill. It seems likely, that it is this same action that has been seen in research, which works to kill the leprosy bacteria by dissolving the waxy, protective substance around the bacteria. As I did not suffer with arthritis, myself, I could not speak from experience of the benefits. However, I did share this information, when I was asked to speak to groups, in lectures, and for people who came to learn at the farm and in herb courses. Over the years, I have had outstanding feedback from people who tried it and experienced relief from pain. They also shared this information with friends, and people in pain whom they met. There was always a steady stream of people visiting the herb farm, .. Doctors recommended it to their patients. People ordered it be posted to their aged parents. Friends told friends, who had fingers crippled with arthritis. Arthritis has been recognised as the single, largest and identified cause of disability and handicap in Australia, now affecting over 2. It is an inflammatory condition of the joints (which can be of the fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, spine and toes) with symptoms of pain, swelling, stiffness and deformity. It may appear suddenly or come on gradually, with a toothache- like pain or sharp burning or grinding pain. There are many different forms arthritis can take. Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease is related to the wear and tear of ageing, and involves the deterioration of the cartilage, at the end of the bones. The once- smooth cartilage becomes rough, resulting in friction; tendons, ligaments and muscles, holding the joints together, become weaker, and there is severe pain, stiffness and deformity. Rheumatoid arthritis, an auto- immune disease, is inflammation affecting the synovial membranes. Cartilage and tissue, surrounding the lubricating fluid in the joints, can be destroyed. The body replaces this damaged tissue with scar tissue, causing the spaces between the joints to become narrow, to develop folds and to fuse together. There is stiffness, swelling, anemia, weight loss, and often crippling pain, with loss of mobility to carry out normal activity, which means the quality of life becomes greatly reduced. Gout can be classed as another form of arthritis, which attacks the smaller joints of the feet and hands, depositing crystallised uric acid salts in the joints causing swelling, redness, a sensation of heat and extreme pain. People, who wished to be free of these painful, debilitating diseases, have taken the herb. After a period of weeks to months, they usually experience a lessening of pain and disability: some report a complete cure.
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