The Bacopa monniera is a creeping perennial herb which grows in muddy shors or wetlands. This plant has a light purple flower and big leaves. The extract derived from this plant has been believed to be a memory booster. The bacopa monniera extract has been used as memory enhancer for centuries in many parts of the world. This plant is especially known to the Indian Ayurvedic tradition for thousands of years for its manifold benefits other than just an enhancer for the memory power.

Now the western researchers have made many studies on Bacopa’s cognitive benefits. They have specifically paying more attention on the Bacopa monniera extract’s ability to improve memory power, learning, concentration and focus. It even has other beneficial power that can reduce or eliminate epilepsy, hypothyroidism, anxiety and depression, Alzheimer’s disease, bronchitis and asthma.

The use of Bacopa monniera extract has been in use for more than 3000 years more in India. The extract has been traditionally used to sanctify newborn babies, which is done in the belief that it will unlock the gateway of intelligence. Its ancient practice of improving the memory and mental focus has been supported by the modern scientific researchers.

The secret

The secret that it has is nothing but hersaponin and saponins d-mannitol , herpestine and alkaloids Brahmine, acid A, stigmastarol, monnierin, betulic acid, beta-sitosterol as its active constituent. There are also Bacosides A and B.5 compounds that is responsible for the cognitive effects that it product.

The Bacopa monniera extract contains a natural phytonutrients which is known as bacosides. This is responsible for improving vital neurotransmitters activities which happens in memorization and information processing. The action of the triterpinoid saponins and the bacosides A and B has resulted in the enchantment of the nerve impulse transmission. Bacopa monniera extracts also modulates the expression of certain enzymes which occurs in the reactive and generation oxygen species in the brain.

Most of the times the Bacopa monniera extract are taken in the form of a memory pills or brain pills. It is mostly sold as memory booster vitamins for the brain.
Scientific Evidence

The Bocapo monnieri extract have been reported to have a cognitive enhancing effects while it was tested in rats. However it was also tested in human and has found to have chronic effects on the cognitive functions.

The Bocopa monneieri has been shown in the clinical and preclinical studies that it can attribute to sharpened memory and boost learning and retention. It has been quite effective especially in young children.

In a blind test this extract were given to some children. These children were evaluated and studied with careful attention. The result that it showed was that these children have improved a lot on the concentration and memory power level. The effect that it has given was of significant points.

After 12 weeks of providing them the extract there were significant improvements in the children in their memory power, verbal learning, and the early information processing have been increased of their speed. Their intellectual activities have been improved in quite a drastic level. It has come to the conclusion that the Bacopo monniera reduces the rate of forgetting of newly obtained information. Visual and verbal short term memory, tasks assessing attention, and the recovery of the pre-experimental knowledge were unchanged.