What if I told you there was a plant used to treat memory and brain-related disorders for thousands of years — a plant thought to be so beneficial to the mind that it’s been a staple of traditional Ayurvedic medicine in India since seemingly forever? You’d be excited about its possible application, right? Then you’re in luck, because bacopa checks off both these boxes (and then some).
Also known as brahmi, bacopa is used to treat a broad range of mind-related health concerns, including Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss, anxiety, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, epilepsy and as a general tonic to fight stress. Best of all, it has far fewer severe side effects than the dangerous psychotropic drugs often prescribed today.
People also take the nootropic bacopa to help treat backache, joint pain and sexual performance problems in both men and women.
This visually appealing plant is commonly seen as a decorative and flourishing piece of live real estate in aquariums, but make no mistake — bacopa is not just another pretty face. The history and research confirm its dynamic abilities as a medicinal herb, and bacopa has even been shown to help regulate dopamine production in animal research on psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia.
It’s native to India, where it grows in marshy regions. In the West, it’s a water plant often found in aquariums.
Bacopa species are found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, particularly the Americas. Most parts of the plant have been used traditionally, but modern preparations include extracts of the stem and leaves.
The types traditionally used in herbal medicines are Bacopa monniera or Bacopa monnieri. It’s also commonly called brahmi and water hyssop as well.
The leaves contain saponins, including bacosides, that are believed to be responsible for the therapeutic properties of the herb. Studies have shown that both purified bacosides and extracts of bacopa standardized for bacosides have been found to enhance several aspects of mental function and learning ability.
Since at least the sixth century A.D., bacopa has been used in Ayurvedic medicine as a diuretic and tonic for the nervous system as well as the heart. In Indian and Ayurvedic medicines, it’s typically known as “Brahmi” after Brahmā, the creator god of the Hindu pantheon.
In Ayurveda, pitta energy is considered the regulator of heat, energy, excitement and passion. A pitta imbalance is believed to be reflected in an inflamed, overheated, over-agitated condition of mind and/or body. Brahmi is known as a soother of pitta imbalances.
In India, where bacopa has been revered for centuries, newborn babies are consecrated with it in the hope that it will open up the pathway to the intellect.
In 1998, the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine was given jointly to Robert F. Furchgott, Louis J. Ignarro and Ferid Murad for their discoveries of nitric oxide as a signaling molecule in the cardiovascular system. It’s been said that the Nobel Prize winners used bacopa in their award-winning experiments.
Bacopa is a low-growing plant with small flowers and leaves that is easy to grow and has a variety of uses. In this article, we’ll explore the most popular ways people are using this versatile plant.
As an Ornamental Garden Plant
One of the most common uses for bacopa is as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscaping. Bacopa works well as a ground cover or trailing plant in beds and borders. The small leaves and flowers create an attractive carpet of green foliage and blooms Bacopa is also ideal for use in hanging baskets, where its trailing stems will cascade over the sides. The small white, blue, or purple flowers bloom continuously from early summer through fall
Bacopa’s low maintenance makes it perfect for beginner gardeners It adapts to various soil types and lighting conditions Bacopa thrives in full sun but also tolerates partial shade. It does best in consistently moist, fertile soil. As long as its basic needs are met, bacopa will reward you with months of delicate color in the garden.
As a Container Plant
The trailing habit of bacopa makes it a great choice for mixed container plantings. Bacopa is commonly used as a “spiller” in container designs. Its draping stems spill over the edges of planters and window boxes, softening hard edges.
Bacopa’s tiny flowers and foliage provide a nice contrast to larger, showier plants used in containers. Try combining bacopa with big, bold plants like elephant ears, cannas, or bananas. The small scale of bacopa creates visual interest next to these large-leaved tropicals. Bacopa also pairs well with other flowering annuals like petunias, geraniums, and verbena.
Since it blooms continuously through the season, bacopa ensures your containers will have splashes of color from spring until fall frost. Its low, mounding form also helps hide container edges.
As an Aquarium Plant
Bacopa’s ability to grow submerged makes it a popular choice for aquarium plantings. It oxygenates aquarium water and provides shelter for fish. The small leaves and compact growth habit of bacopa give it a delicate, ornamental look under water.
Bacopa grows well in low to moderate light aquariums. It can be planted in the foreground to provide a carpet-like effect. Bacopa attaches to aquarium décor like rocks and wood, trailing its stems to create a natural look. The tiny flowers may bloom above the waterline.
With its oxygenating ability and hardiness, bacopa is an excellent plant for beginner aquarists to try in a home aquarium. It grows quickly from cuttings and doesn’t require special care.
As an Herbal Supplement
A different species of bacopa plant known as Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. Brahmi has properties that may improve brain function, including memory, thinking, and concentration.
Today, bacopa extract supplements are popular for purported cognition-enhancing benefits. Some studies indicate bacopa may help with memory and learning in older adults. However, more research is still needed to fully understand bacopa’s effects on the brain.
Bacopa supplements are generally considered safe for short-term use in adults. As with any supplement, consult your doctor before trying bacopa. Don’t take bacopa in combination with medications that slow the central nervous system.
As an Easy-to-Grow Houseplant
With proper care, garden-variety bacopa can adapt well to indoor growing conditions. Its compact size makes it suitable for small spaces like kitchen and bathroom windowsills. Bacopa grows fastest in bright, indirect light. Avoid direct hot sun which can scorch the leaves.
Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry and use a diluted liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season. Trim back overgrown stems to keep your houseplant bacopa full and tidy in appearance. Grow lights can extend bacopa’s bloom time indoors.
If you want year-round blooms, bacopa can be overwintered inside. Move outdoor plants to a sunny window before frost. Reduce watering and continue to provide bright light.
Benefits and Considerations
No matter how you decide to use it, bacopa offers months of delicate floral color that requires minimal care. Its versatility and adaptability to various growing conditions makes bacopa a great choice for beginner gardeners and indoor plant parents. With proper growing conditions, bacopa generously rewards the grower with an abundance of blooms.
Before planting bacopa, consider your climate and growing zone. Although a perennial in zones 9-11, it will die back after frost in other areas. Bacopa also requires consistently damp soil and warm temperatures to thrive. Providing the right conditions will allow you to reap the benefits of this gorgeous, low-maintenance plant.
Risks, Side Effects and Interactions
Bacopa extract is well-tolerated when taken in recommend dosages by mouth for short durations of up to 12 weeks. Therapeutic doses are not associated with any serious side effects, but less serious side effects can include nausea, cramping, bloated stomach, diarrhea, dry mouth and/or fatigue, especially when taken on an empty stomach.
Bacopa can have a slight sedative effect so use caution when combining it with other known sedatives. It may also intensify the activity of thyroid-stimulating drugs or inhibit the effectiveness of thyroid-suppressant drugs.
Check with your doctor before taking bacopa if you have any medical conditions.
As a plant, bacopa is known to accumulate toxic metals like mercury so, depending on where the plant is grown, the levels of mercury or other toxins in its extract might be high. This is why it’s important to purchase bacopa that’s of high quality from a reputable company.
Top 4 Uses of Bacopa Monnieri (Brahmi) in Ayurveda
Can Bacopa grow outside?
Hanging plant pots are the best option for this trailing plant. This plant prefers mild climates. The best time to grow bacopa outside is early or mid-spring after the threat of frost has passed.
Is Bacopa a perennial?
Bacopa plant (Sutera cordata) is simple to grow and produces abundant blooms from spring until autumn. It’s a trailing plant, making it an excellent option for hanging planters, container gardens, and groundcover. Bacopa will usually grow to no more than 6-12 inches high. It can be grown as a perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11.
Does Bacopa need a lot of maintenance?
Bacopa is a low-maintenance flowering plant that will proliferate with many blooms in the right environment. Beyond regular watering and feeding, bacopa just needs a little regular maintenance to look its best. Bacopa plants thrive with some sun in the morning and more shade in the afternoon.
Is Bacopa caroliniana a good aquarium plant?
Bacopa caroliniana is an aquarium plant that can be used ornamentally. It’s easy to grow and an excellent choice for beginners. The plant has tiny leaves that produce a lemony scent when crushed. It has lovely blue flowers with five petals. You can grow it above or below water, but its flowers will rot when immersed.