Evidence supporting the use of: Brahmi
For the health condition: Thinking (cloudy)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) is a traditional herb used in Ayurvedic medicine, primarily for enhancing cognitive function and addressing issues like mental cloudiness or impaired thinking. Scientific research has begun to validate some of these traditional claims. Multiple randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have investigated the effects of Brahmi on cognitive performance, particularly in domains such as memory, attention, and processing speed. For example, a 2014 systematic review (Pase et al., 2012, Journal of Ethnopharmacology) found that Brahmi supplementation was associated with improvements in cognition, notably working memory and information processing in adults. Other studies have demonstrated that Brahmi may reduce anxiety and mental fatigue, potentially leading to greater mental clarity. The active constituents, called bacosides, are believed to exert neuroprotective effects, enhance synaptic communication, and promote antioxidant activity in the brain.
However, most studies have been of moderate quality and relatively short duration, with small sample sizes. While the evidence is promising, particularly for mild cognitive impairment and general cognitive enhancement, larger and longer-term clinical trials are needed to establish efficacy more conclusively. Therefore, the use of Brahmi for supporting "thinking (cloudy)" is justified by a combination of traditional use and a moderate but growing body of scientific evidence.
