Is Bacopa Monnieri Bad For You?
Also Known As: water hyssop, brahmi, herb of grace
Short answer
If you have conditions of the thyroid or lungs, then water hyssop may be bad for you. If you are in good health and consume it with food or soon after eating, it can have several positive effects, especially on the brain.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Most commonly known as water hyssop or Brahmi, bacopa monnieri is a nootropic herb used extensively in Ayurvedic medicinal practice. It has many potential benefits, including first and foremost, improving memory by possibly inducing brain tissue regeneration. Other possible benefits include blood pressure regulation, protection against neonatal hypoglycemia, and reducing the risk of addiction to opioids.
Furthermore, bacopa monnieri is an adaptogen, meaning it can help people cope with new or stressful situations. It also has antioxidant properties, in that it can help fight against free radicals, preventing oxidative stress and thereby reducing the risk of some forms of cancer.
Taking Brahmi may have some negative side effects, especially when taken on an empty stomach, such as nausea, bloating, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal blockage. Also, studies done on male mice suggest that it may cause reversible negative effects on sperm generation, sperm count, and male fertility, though these effects have not yet been observed in humans. Other possible negative consequences of taking Brahmi include the worsening of asthma, emphysema and causing an increase in thyroid disorders.
For otherwise healthy people, though, water hyssop can be a good way to prevent or treat short and long-term memory loss as well as help people who suffer from anxiety.
Possible short-term side effects
- nausea
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gastrointestinal blockage
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vomiting
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bloating
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diarrhea
worsen asthma
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worsen thyroid conditions
Benefits
- may:
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prevent/treat amnesia
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improve memory
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induce brain tissue regeneration
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improve hand-eye coordination in young children
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help regulate blood pressure
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help fight free radicals
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Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 03-11-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 03-11-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
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