Bacopa monniera has been used in India since ancient times in Ayurveda as a brain tonic. Extensive coverage of the medicinal properties of Brahmi can be found in the three great Ayurvedic classics of Charaka, Susruta and Vagbhata. Charaka includes brahmi in those formulations indicated in psychotropic conditions such as unmada, apasmara and medasmritignana haracha roga. Susruta supports Charaka in specifying Brahmi as a useful drug in unmada and bhootagraha. Brahmi is more than just a brain tonic: according to Charaka and also Vagbhata, brahmi is a promoter of fertility (vandhyasootaprada), sustains implantation and pregnancy (grabhasthapana prajasthapana). In fact, the pharmacological properties of Bacopa monniera cited in "Ashtanga Hridaya" are too numerous to be listed here.

The pharmacological effects of Bacopa monniera are attributed to the presence of a number of biologically active compounds, including alkaloids, saponins and sterols. The compounds responsible for the memory enhancing effects of Bacopa monniera are triterpenoid saponins called "bacosides".

Pharmacologically, Bacopa is useful as:

	Brain tonic, improving cognitive functions including memory enhancement and enhancing learning ability;
	Anti-depressant, adaptogenic
	Anxiolytic
	Antidementic
	Anticonvulsive, hence useful in treating epilepsy
	Antioxidant, enhancing the antioxidant enzymes, SOD, CAT and GPX
	Anti-ulcerative
	Bronchodilator

Bacopa is safe to use. A phase I, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated the safety of pharmacological doses of isolated bacosides in healthy, male, human volunteers. Single (20-30 mg) and multiple (100-200 mg) daily doses of bacosides for 4 weeks were well tolerated and devoid of adverse side effects. Except for an isolated case in one uncontrolled trial, no untoward side effects were reported in any of the clinical trials conducted.

The recommended daily dose of Bacosides (standardized to contain a minimum of 20% Bacosides A and B) for adults and children are as follows: Adult: 100 mg - 3 times daily; Children: 50 mg - 3 times daily

Arjuna Offers Brahmi Extract with different specifications. Short specs of the main product are given below