Prevent Memory Loss with Brahmi

The traditional Indian medical system of Ayurveda mentions the use of the plants Brahmi (Bacopa moniera) and the Indian pennywort (Centella asiatica) in preventing the decreased mental performance that can be seen in many people during old age. The ancient Ayurvedic texts state that regular use of this plant prevents memory loss and enables old people to organize their thoughts clearly and express them coherently.

Clinical trials carried out on laboratory rats by the Central Drugs Research Institute at Lucknow, have shown that rats who were administered Brahmi were better able to find their way out of mazes. However further research is required to confirm these findings followed by extensive trials on humans.

Other research work carried out by Dr. Appa Rao and his colleagues has cited the effectiveness of this plant in treating diseases of the central nervous system.

There has also been a double blind controlled trial of this plant which involved administering the plant extract to a group of thirty mentally retarded children over a period of twelve weeks. The results of this trial, which were published in the Journal for Research on Indian Medicine, in 1973, show that these children had an improved mental ability and behavioral patterns at the end of the trial.

Once all the research work has been successfully concluded and the process of drug synthesis has started, it could make a major difference for the better, in the lives of many old people. In order to speed up this process, it is imperative that some sort of a national or international level task force be set up for testing this plant. Generous funding for such research is also the need of the day and perhaps it could be sponsored by pharmaceutical companies who specialize in drugs for the central nervous system. Such a dynamic approach will definitely go a long way in improving the lives of the elderly and mentally challenged.

Submitted on January 16, 2014