In our last article, we discussed working with members of the mint family to support mood and focus. This week, we are looking at Gotu Kola and Bacopa, two herbs both referred to as Brahmi in Ayurveda. These herbs are known as Brahmi as they are considered to be highly sattvic, traditionally revered for their qualities in supporting Brahmacharis, in short, those studying and pursuing understanding of Brahman or the Ultimate Reality. The name Brahmi is also associated with the Goddess Saraswati, as the word means the power, or Shakti, of Brahma. Alongside supporting those in their meditation and spiritual pursuits, these herbs have a traditional foundation in Ayurveda as an herb to improve intellect, longevity and rejuvenation, nervous system health as a whole, heart health, sleep, and more. They have history taken on their own as a pair, as a triplet with Calamus, or in greater formulas like Brahma Rasayana taken for rejuvenation of the mind and body.
These two herbs are ones I have personally set a goal to work with more, to help support meditation but also to stir up and clear brain fog, reduce anxiety when trying to focus, and overall improve my ability to focus on work without increasing stress. Lately, I have found myself in a loop of relying on caffeine for energy to focus, but too much can certainly aggravate stress. I see many people like me coming in for support in this area, asking about nootropics, or herbs that improve cognition and focus. Gotu Kola and Bacopa are two of my favorites, who have been changing my life for the positive. They are even helping me right now as I write to you all.
Gotu Kola, Centella Asiatica, also known as Brahmi, is a neuroprotective herb known for its benefits in supporting collagenous tissues including the nerves but also the connective tissue. You will see Gotu Kola come up not only in nervous system formulas but also musculoskeletal, and you’ll even see Centella referred to as Cica in skin care to support collagen production and wound healing on the skin. This can help you remember the structural benefits of Gotu Kola, as the herb in the pairing that lends itself to supporting the collagenous nature of our nerves. This can be especially relevant for people with mental and physical impacts from Lyme’s Disease, as spirochetes primarily impact the collagenous tissues such as nerves and connective tissue. Gotu Kola is nutrient dense, often eaten as a cooked green where it grows wild, and is one of the main food sources of elephants when they travel through forest understory where Gotu Kola loves to grow in vast quantities. This association with elephants is one of the ways many people remember the memory supportive qualities of Gotu Kola. This foundation as a food means that dosages can safely vary widely. Personally, I take 10 grams of the powder daily but you may find much less is effective for you.
Bacopa, Bacopa Monnieri, also known as Water Hyssop, Brahmi, Jal Brahmi (Jal meaning water), is especially well known for its supportive capacity in the short term as well as long term. I personally think of Bacopa as a catalyst pairing with Gotu Kola, with a baseline of healthy tissue being created by Gotu Kola, and Bacopa pushing the process further by allowing calm and focus in the moment. Traditionally taken before meditation, the bitter nervine impact of Bacopa is one of my favorites for settling into a different frame of mind, and approaching what is in front of me with calm and focus. Bacopa can help our bodies settle into a calmer state as well, gently lowering a racing heart and shifting us out of our reactive mode. I keep a bottle of Bacopa tincture at our desk and take about 10 drops as I settle into my tasks. You might find less or more works best for you. While I usually take a certain amount of Gotu Kola in the morning and/or evening, I take Bacopa at least once per day but additionally as needed to remind my body and mind to settle into my duties with a proper mindset. This quality of Bacopa calming the mind in the moment is deeply associated with its traditional foundation in Anuloma, or moving vata energy downward. Vata is marked by excess movement, and patterns we refer to now as mental hyperactivity, can be described in Ayurveda as an excess in upper vata, or mental vata. Bacopa has traditionally been worked with to calm this energy and allow us proper control over the activity of our minds.
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We are not doctors. There are no state or federal authorities in the U.S. that license herbalists. The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only. The staff at Blue Hill Co-op do not prescribe, offer medical opinions, or practice medicine. Please reach out to your primary care provider or seek emergency support if you require medical care.
For more reading:
Herbs with Rosalee – Natural Remedies for Stress
Holistic Cancer Care with Chanchal Cabrera
Holistic Herbalism Podcast: Gotu Kola and Chicory
Using Herbs to Heal the Mind – Sajah Popham
The Lightbringers: Herbs for Brightening Dark Winter Days – Sajah Popham
Herbal Support for ADD and ADHD – Sajah Popham
Recent Updates in Neuroprotective and Neuroregenerative Potential of Centella Asiatica
I took Gotu Kola for 12 months and this happened! – Down to Earth Herbalism with Tamara
