{"id":80061,"date":"2021-12-07T17:58:33","date_gmt":"2021-12-07T17:58:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=80061"},"modified":"2021-12-07T17:58:33","modified_gmt":"2021-12-07T17:58:33","slug":"the-benefits-of-brahmi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/the-benefits-of-brahmi\/","title":{"rendered":"The Benefits of Brahmi"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Benefits of Brahmi<\/span><\/h1>\n

\"gotukola\"<\/p>\n

Source:<\/span><\/strong>Banyanbotanicals<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Brahmi\/gotu kola (Centella asiatica<\/em>) is one of the most beloved mental rejuvenatives in the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia. Best known for its long and impressive history of use for enhancing intellect and mental acuity, it also soothes the nervous system, purifies the blood, and promotes healthy skin and hair.1<\/a><\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

In this article:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Gotu Kola vs. Bacopa: Which Is the \u201cReal\u201d Brahmi?<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Characteristics of the Brahmi\/Gotu Kola Plant<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Brahmi\/Kola Gotu Benefits and Uses<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  • How to Take Brahmi\/Gotu Kola<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Modern Research on Brahmi\/Gotu Kola<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Is Brahmi\/Gotu Kola Safe?<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Growing and Harvesting Brahmi\/Gotu Kola<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Gotu Kola vs. Bacopa: Which Is the \u201cReal\u201d Brahmi?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    This plant is not to be confused with\u00a0bacopa<\/a>\u00a0(Bacopa monnieri<\/em>). These two plants have quite a lot in common\u2014not only are they both powerfully supportive of the mind and nervous system\u2014they are both also commonly referred to as \u201cbrahmi,\u201d which can cause confusion.<\/span><\/p>\n

    To clarify, this article is about\u00a0Centella asiatica<\/em>, which we refer to as brahmi\/gotu kola.<\/span><\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    While we don\u2019t refer to it as \u201cbrahmi,\u201d it\u2019s worth mentioning that bacopa is a wonderful mental rejuvenative in its own right. If you\u2019re curious to learn more about that particular herb, we have a separate article where you can learn more about\u00a0bacopa benefits<\/a>\u00a0and uses.<\/span><\/p>\n

    What Is the Significance of the Name \u201cBrahmi?\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

    The name \u201cbrahmi\u201d derives from\u00a0Brahman,\u00a0<\/em>the Sanskrit name for the universal consciousness in\u00a0Vedic<\/a>\u00a0philosophy. It translates as \u201cenergy of universal consciousness,\u201d and speaks to the legendary effects on the mind and consciousness that both brahmi\/gotu kola and bacopa possess.2<\/a><\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

    The names of these two herbs can vary between teachers and geographic regions.\u00a0Centella asiatica<\/em>\u00a0is commonly referred to as brahmi in northern India, while the name is more frequently used to describe\u00a0Bacopa monnieri<\/em>\u00a0in southern India.3<\/a><\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

    While both herbs can correctly and appropriately be referred to as brahmi, the founders of Banyan Botanicals were educated in a tradition that reserves the name \u201cbrahmi\u201d for\u00a0Centella asiatica<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Since many also refer to\u00a0Centella asiatica<\/em>\u00a0by its Singhalese name, \u201cgotu kola,\u201d4<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0Banyan decided to refer to this herb by both names (\u201cbrahmi\/gotu kola\u201d) and to simply call\u00a0Bacopa monnieri<\/em>\u00a0\u201cbacopa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n

    \"brahmi<\/span><\/p>\n

    Characteristics of the Brahmi\/Gotu Kola Plant<\/span><\/h2>\n

    A small, water-loving perennial creeper of the Apiaceae family, brahmi\/gotu kola is thought to have originated in the Indian subcontinent, although it can be found in warm climates across the globe.5<\/a><\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

    Its slender stems support vibrant green leaves that are arguably this plant\u2019s most distinctive feature. Many of its names are a reference to the appearance of its leaves. For instance, in ancient Sri Lanka, the gentle curling shape of the leaves was thought to resemble a cone, leading to the Singhalese name \u201cgotu kola\u201d or \u201ccone leaf.\u201d6<\/a><\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

    One of its Sanskrit names is\u00a0mandukaparni<\/em>, or \u201cfrog-leaved,\u201d referencing the shape of its leaves resembling the webbed feet of a frog.7<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0Another of its Sanskrit names,\u00a0manduki<\/em>\u00a0(\u201clike a frog\u201d) alludes not to the frog-like appearance of the leaves, but to the plant\u2019s tendency to grow near bodies of water.8<\/a><\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

    The leaves are also thought to resemble a cerebellum, representing one of the best examples of the “doctrine of signatures”\u2014a school of thought which suggests that herbs have a special affinity for the part of the body that they resemble (in this case, the brain).9<\/a><\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n