Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri) is one of the oldest and purest medicinal herbs used in Ayurveda. With pollution and work stress taking a toll on your skin, Brahmi can serve as a remedy for all your skin problems. Its powerful healing properties fortify the skin from environmental damage and aid in cell regeneration.
Brahmi, also called Bacopa monnieri, belongs to the family Scrophulariaceae. It is a small, succulent (stems adapted to store water), glabrous (smooth), creeping or prostrate (branches above the ground) annual herb. It is also known as Herpestis monniera, water hyssop (small bushy) and is locally known as Jalanimba or brahmi in India. The term brahmi is derived from the word ‘Brahma’, which refers to the mythical God of creation in Hindu mythology.
Brahmi is primarily has been used for nearly 3000 years by Ayurvedic medical professionals. As the brain is considered the centre of creative activity, any substance that might boost the brain’s health is known as brahmi. It also means ‘bringing knowledge of the supreme reality”. Brahmi may be recognised as a popular memory booster among locals
Brahmi is also known to reverse the effects of stress on your skin and can effectively slow down skin aging. It is available in various forms such as ghrita, churna, taila, lepa, capsules and syrup. Both, consumption and topical application are known to benefit your skin and hair.
It enhances memory, reduces anxiety and mental stress, and provides relief to people with asthma and heart conditions. It is also known to improve digestion.
Brahmi is a highly effective herb to help revitalize skin. Apart from being a strong antioxidant, the presence of Madecassoside in the herb corrects skin complexion and brightens it.
Benefits Of Brahmi For Skin
1. Helpful In Collagen Production
The collagen protein serves as a major component in your skin’s basic framework. Your skin’s tautness mainly depends on the amount of collagen naturally produced by your body.
However, with age, your body experiences collagen depletion, leading to skin sagging, wrinkles, and other signs of aging. The topical application of Brahmi has been shown to aid collagen production in your skin and thereby prolong your skin’s youth and glow.
2. Lightens Stretch Marks And Cellulite
Stretch marks occur when the skin undergoes rapid stretching during pregnancy, weight gain, or weight reduction. The building blocks (collagen, elastin) of your skin rupture, causing these unwanted scars to appear on the body.
Cellulite, on the other hand, occurs due to layered fat deposition under the skin. These appear as light-colored, raised skin lines.
Brahmi’s ability to aid collagen production, reconstruct skin tissues, and increase subcutaneous blood supply help to break down cellulite and lighten stretch marks on your skin.
3. Reduces Skin Pigmentation
According to Ayurveda, the ‘Bhrajaka pitta dosha’ oversees thermoregulation and melanin production for your skin. A vitiation of this sub-dosha can stimulate excess melanogenesis, causing hyperpigmentation and skin darkening.
Brahmi has brilliant pitta pacifying properties that lighten blemishes and dark spots on the face. The presence of ascorbic acid in Brahmi helps improve your overall skin complexion.
4. Acts As A Remedy For Skin Inflammation
According to studies, Brahmi is a ‘shophahara’ herb with powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, it is used in Ayurveda to treat a variety of inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Both, consuming and topically applying Brahmi as a lepa, have been shown to inhibit proinflammatory cytokines in the body.
5. Helpful In Acne Treatment
The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and blood-purifying properties of Brahmi help balance your doshas and remove harmful toxins from your blood. Brahmi ghritam is an effective kapha dosha pacifier used to treat ‘yuvana pidakas’ or acne conditions. Brahmi is also useful in lightening the appearance of acne marks and healing acne scars on the face.
6. Heals Skin Sensitivity And Skin Allergies
Brahmi’s ‘Kandughna’ (itch relieving) properties make it an oft-used Ayurvedic remedy for pruritus and skin allergies. Its cooling nature soothes your skin. It is thus widely used as an ingredient in skin care products for sensitive skin.
7. Repairs The Skin Barrier
Your skin’s outermost layer, the stratum corneum, makes the epidermal barrier that keeps microbial invasions and environmental damages at bay. A weakened skin barrier can lead to various infections and dry skin conditions due to transepidermal water loss. Brahmi alleviates vata dosha and helps prevent dry skin. Its cell-repairing abilities help reconstruct a damaged skin barrier.
Further, the alkaloids present in Brahmi exhibit certain antimicrobial properties that keep skin infections away. Applying Brahmi powder or Brahmi oil on damaged skin helps to cool, moisturize and heal the affected areas.
8. Aids Wound Healing
Brahmi contains various alkaloids such as brahmine, nicotine, hersaponin, monnierin, herpestine etc. These accelerate wound healing through the promotion of angiogenesis (the process of forming new blood vessels). It is known to improve your overall skin immunity.
9. Has Powerful Antioxidant Properties
Due to the high content of polyphenols, Brahmi has natural antioxidant properties. According to research, Brahmi can effectively prevent DNA cell damage caused by oxidative stress, which is a primary cause of premature skin aging. Ayurvedic texts describe ‘Ayushya’ as one of Brahmi’s benefits, which literally translates to anti-aging.
10. Treats Various Skin Diseases
Brahmi being a ‘Kushtahara’ is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine to cure various skin diseases. It may be used with other antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory herbs to magnify the effect.
Consumption of Brahmi not only rejuvenates your skin but holistically maintains the health of most of your body systems, including the nervous, renal, cardiovascular, immune, and digestive systems.
