Bacopa monnieri (L.) WETTST.


Synonym : Bacopa monniera (L.) Pennel.
Herpestis monniera H.B.&.K.
Bangla Name : Brahmishak, Adhabirani, Dhupkamini
English Name : Indian Pennywort, Thyme-leaved Gratiola.
Family : Scrophulariaceae
Disease : Diuretic, laxative, emetic, aphrodisiac, brain tonic, ascites, indigestion, diarrhoea, epilepsy, insanity, scabies, asthma, cardiac tonic, cough and rheumatism
Description : A small, much branched, creeping herb, rooting at the nodes, branches 10-25 cm long. Leaves 15-18 cm long, sessile decussate, obovate-oblong or spathulate rather fleshy. Flowers axilary, solitary, pale blue, corolla twice as long as the calyx, peduncles longer than the leaves. Capsules c. 5 mm ovoid
Distribution : Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, St. Martin’s islands and other coastal areas of Bangladesh in fallow lands and peddy fields.
Chemical Constituents : Various part of the plant contain steroidal saponins, bacogenins, hersaponin, monnierin and bacoside A & B, betulic, betulinic acids, d-mannitol, stigmasterol, ?-sitosterol and stigmastanol, alkaloids, brahmine and herpestine. The plant also contains nico
Uses : The plant is bitter, diuretic, laxative, emetic, aphrodisiac and brain tonic, useful in ascites, indigestion, diarrhoea, enlargement of spleen and for the promotion of memory and as a cure for epilepsy, insanity and scabies. It is also used in catarrhal c
Habit : Herb