Animal studies have found the Ayurvedic herb bacopa has constituents that enhance several aspects of mental function and learning ability.2 , 3 , 4 A controlled study found that a syrup containing an extract of dried bacopa herb given to children improved several measures of mental performance.5 A double-blind trial in adults found that a standardized extract of bacopa (300 mg per day for people weighing under 200 lbs and 450 per day for people over 200 lbs) improved only one out of several measures of memory function after three months.6 Another double-blind trial lasting twelve weeks found 300 mg per day of bacopa improved four out of fifteen measures of learning, memory, and other mental functions in adults.7 A third double-blind trial found that 300 mg per day of bacopa improved memory acquisition and retention in healthy elderly people.8 Similar results were found in a 12-week double-blind study of elderly individuals who had no evidence of dementia.9 A fourth double-blind study found no effects on mental function in a group of healthy adults given 300 mg of standardized bacopa and tested two hours later. Bacopa has not been tested on people with memory problems.
Animal studies have found the Ayurvedic herb bacopa has constituents that enhance several aspects of mental function and learning ability.11 , 12 , 13 A controlled study found that a syrup containing an extract of dried bacopa herb given to children improved several measures of mental performance.14 A double-blind trial in adults found that a standardized extract of bacopa (300 mg per day for people weighing under 200 lbs and 450 per day for people over 200 lbs) improved only one out of several measures of memory function after three months.15 Another double-blind trial lasting twelve weeks found 300 mg per day of bacopa improved four out of fifteen measures of learning, memory, and other mental functions in adults.16 A third double-blind study found no effects on mental function in a group of healthy adults given 300 mg of standardized bacopa and tested two hours later. Bacopa has not been tested on people with memory problems.
Bacopa, a traditional herb used in Ayurvedic medicine, has been shown to have anti-anxiety effects in animals.18 A preliminary study reported that a syrup containing an extract of dried bacopa herb reduced anxiety in people with anxiety neurosis.19 A double-blind trial in healthy adults found that 300 mg per day of a standardized bacopa extract reduced general feelings of anxiety, as assessed by a questionnaire.
The leaves of bacopa contain saponins, including the bacosides,23 , 24 , 25 which are thought responsible for the therapeutic properties of the herb. In animal studies, both purified bacosides and extracts of bacopa standardized for bacosides have been found to enhance several aspects of mental function and learning ability.26 , 27 , 28 Additional brain effects of bacopa demonstrated in animal research include reduction of both anxiety and depression.29 , 30 Biochemically, these nervous-system effects have been attributed to an enhancement of the effects of the neurotransmitters acetylcholine and,31 , 32 possibly, serotonin or GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid).33 , 34
Bacopa extracts also appear to have significant antioxidant activity in the brain,35 and other effects that may help protect brain cells.36
Animal research has also reported that bacopa extracts can relax the muscles that control the blood vessels, the intestine, and the airways of the respiratory system,37 , 38 , 39 , 40 and can help both prevent and heal ulcers in the stomach.
Read more at the following link http://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hn-4019005