Benefits of Using Brahmi Oil: Does it Work to Reduce Anxiety?

Brahmi Oil, traditionally prepared from the leaves of the Indian herbs Bacopa Monnieri and Gotu Kola, has been used as topical medicinal treatment for thousands of years.

What’s unusual about this staple of Ayurvedic medicine is what it’s used for – stress relief. In modern Western medicine, we almost never see topical medicines used for cognitive enhancement.

Brahmi oils may still have applications that are worthwhile to today’s world. Let’s explore the uses and side effects of this ancient anxiety treatment, plus look at some modern approaches to achieving the same results.

Bacopa Monnieri

Natural Nootropic

Brain Function

Memory

Stress

How It Works:

• Increases communication between neurons
• Supports memory, focus & cognition
• Reduces anxiety & stress

Dosage:

Between 50 - 500mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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How Is Brahmi Oil Used In Ayurveda?

Brahmi is the name for a natural Indian herb called Bacopa Monnieri which translates into “herb of grace.”

It has this name in Ayurvedic medicine because of its primary use – soothing the hot, inflammatory energy of “pitta” dosha types.

Brahmi Oil is a potent variation on edible Brahmi applications. The oil is made from the herb, plus the leaves of the similar Gotu Kola plant.

It is meant to be applied directly to the head of the patient. The oil is held in a suspended bowl directly over the forehead, and a small stream is released just above and between the eyes (the “third eye” area of the forehead).

The oil is then gently massaged into the scalp and hair, and allowed to sit for at least an hour. In addition to the ceremonial value of this practice, it is believed that the oil soaks into the skin easily through the scalp, and delivers benefits into the bloodstream and then directly to the brain.

After this treatment, patients experience a profound sense of calm, accompanied by a quiet mental focus. Memory functions are also said to improve. Brahmi oil is said to also improve various bodily conditions unrelated to cognition, such as bowel irritation and dandruff.

Using Herbs for Stress Relief

The Brahmi herb is just one of thousands of natural herbs that are used medicinally for cognitive enhancement. Today, many of the most popular mainstream medicines we think of as “synthetic” are actually based upon the mechanisms of traditional herbs.

However, there are also countless natural herbs which promote stress relief, including kava kava, valerian root, and ashwaghanda.

Is There Science Behind How Brahmi Oil Works?

In order to design those new nootropic remedies, we fist must understand the science behind Brahmi Oil. We know that the herbs in the oil act upon neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine in the brain.

These chemicals regulate emotions of calm, mental clarity, optimistic mood, and a sense of natural ambition. It is thought that deficiencies in one or both chemicals is related to depression and the inability to manage stress.

For this reason, many modern therapies for ADHD work with levels of dopamine and serotonin to help patients’ minds stay calm and in control. Once it hits the bloodstream, Brahmi helps regulate stress reactions with the use of HP70, a biomarker for stress.

Brahmi Oil can also improve synaptic communication via Bacoside A, one of its key components. Thoughts become clearer, anxious thoughts are quieted, and a sense of calm replaces stress.

Brahmi Oil is also thought to improve memory and recall. It has been used to quiet and focus the minds of people suffering from degenerative cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s Disease.

However, the somewhat awkward delivery method of applying oil directly to the scalp is simply unfeasible for daily use for most people. This is especially true with more severe cases of clinical anxiety, or advanced age-related cognitive decline. For these patients, Brahmi is often used as a small edible component of a modern nootropic stack for improved cognition and memory.

The most well-known stack to use Brahmi (classified under its botanical name “Bacopa Monnieri”) is Alpha Brain. This supplement employs the ingredient as a calming element to promote sharper thinking, heightened concentration, and better memory.

Are There Brahmi Oil Side Effects?

Brahmi Oil, when applied topically to the scalp, is considered very mild. This method is gentler than ingesting the herb, and as a result carries fewer known side effects.

While the treatment can be too sedating for some people and produce a slowed heartbeat, most people who apply the oil experience no side effects whatsoever. Brahmi side effects which are sometimes experienced from ingesting the herb, such as upset stomach, are avoided entirely by applying the oil to the skin.

Unfortunately, the effects of the herb are not pronounced enough for many people when applied in this way. In any case, Brahmi is thought to take a few months to manifest effects. For more immediate results, it is recommended to try one of the well-established nootropic supplements which deliver the same benefits as Brahmi Oil, at greater intensity and with a faster onset.

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