Brahmi
As per W.H.O.about 21000 plants have got medicinal values.Among them about 300 plants are in India.Nearly 70% of the rural people of India depend upon these medicinal plants to get relief from their ailments. India especially the Himalayas have got an unparalleled collection of these medicinal plants. Brahmi is one among them.
The word Brahmi means the Goddess of intelligence. It has been extensively used in Ayurveda for the last thousands of years. Brahmi has been mentioned in the historic medicinal book ” Sushrut samhita “. Chinese people use this in their traditional medicines for youthfulness and longevity of life.
In Sanskrit it is called Kapotavanga, Somavalli, Saraswati, Suvarchala, Mahoushadhi,Surashreshta, Vaidhatree, Divyateja, Varaa, Parameshtinee and Soumyaa. It is called Ondelaga(Kannada-the one with single leaf), Timare(Tulu), Vallarai(Tamil), Mandook ,Brahmichattu(Telugu), Muttal(Malayalam), Brahmi(Hindi), Sooryaphalavalli(Marathi), Ekpanni(Konkani). The scientific name of it is Centella asiatica. Read more about it at wiki.
It is a small plant with a stem and single leaf resembling the ear of mouse. It spreads very fast in low wet areas. In rainy season,it grows well. It is commonly seen in the hilly areas by the side of the road from Haridwar to Badri. Brahmi that we get here is the best one amongst all.
Medicinal values -
* It helps in the growth of nerve cells. It helps to reduce mental tension. It removes depression. It improves the remembering power of the brain.
* It helps in the development of the cells of hair follicles. Hence it is used in the production of hair oils. We see it in the advertisement of Dabur – the famous ayurvedic company of India.It also helps to get rid from dandruf.
* Eating 4 – 5 leaves of Brahmi helps in correcting the voice especially in children with speech deformity.
*Take the juice of the leaves. Rub it to the base of the hair.Keep it for 30 minutes and then take bath. This removes dandruf.
* It improves digestive capacity and removes acidity when taken orally.
* Brahmi contains kerotin, amino acids and vitamins. Hence it acts as a nutritious food.
* It is also used in epilepsy and skin diseases.
Hair Oil :
I prepare the hair oil in this way – Take one cup of coconut oil and add one cup of brahmi leaves with stems and boil it till the leaves become crisp.Take it out from the heat and add a pinch of pachch-karpoor. If not available you may add camphor. Store in a container after filtering.It can be used regularly to get the best results.
Check out the Tambli recipe. It goes well with chapatis or dosas or eaten with rice after dilution.
PS: The medicinal values of the plant are mentioned for reference only. Do not take this as expert opinion.
What a wonderful informative post!!! I remember my mother making oil with brahmi and some other herbs for me, when I was young. Thank you for bringing back some fond memories…will certainly try out the tambli recipe! My son shud love it!
We used to eat as such when we were kids, miss them so much here. Love the picture with fresh leaves,great information.
Hi Mami,
Nice informative post. In California many of the chinese super market carry this herb… and english name is pennywort.
Thanks for the post.
Great post. Sometimes it is hard to believe all the amazing uses for different things in nature. Some things growing under foot or on your food might have medicinal value.
Good info.
Wow, what an informative post. Tasted it in Native place, but never seen in Mumbai or USA.
Gowri. …Thanks for the comment and the name, will surely check in the Chinese store.
A very informative post. Thankyou Mrs Varada.
Gowri, thanks for the english name of it. Will try to look in chinese store in NJ.
Lakshmi
Its so good to see and read that lusciously growing Brahmi. Very informative post.
Its so good to see and read abt that lusciously growing Brahmi. Very informative post.
Thank you Ayi!!
My grandma used to make Ekpanni chutney and I have not eaten this for more than 20 years..
And the colour of the chutney used to be soooo pretty.
Thanks for bringing back fond memeories..
What a wonderful information mami. When I was a kid my mother used to make this tambli for rice and we eat this with hot rice and a bit of ghee. It tasted very good at that time.
Is watercress is the same family or group as Brahmi? Because I live in US and I have difficulty finding this. Once in a while I get in a chinese store.
Shilpa: I am not sure about watercress. Few years ago in one of the grocery stores here, I found these leaves and they were labeled as watercress. Later I came to know about the watercress that is used in salads. I have tried the tambli many times with watercress and we love it. Donno the connection with brahmi. You might check wiki.
Truely good article.
I came across your “sun dried” items section too.
I have a question. can we microvave these fritters? if so how? let me know the temprature adjustment please
hi
i am a regular visitor of your site. good job.i am also konkani and live in dallas.I saw todays post of brahmi. Where do you get these.Its been years since i had chutney made of brahme
Hi, Happy Sri Rama Navami!
Is Gingko Biloba not another name for that too?
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Krishna
Tienke, Brahmi is not Gingko biloba.
Gingko biloba is a tree and a gymnosperm. Male and female trees are different and fruits from the female tree are really stinky.
Brahmi is Centella asiatica (Indian pennywort), a small spreading plant almost close to the ground and as shown in the picture does not grow very tall.
please note that this herb is not brahmi this is kudangal in malayalam, sorry i dont know any other name . brahmi is another herb.anyways u r doing a splendid job
Shilpa: Priya, as per Wikipedia, brahmi name is shared between this herb and another one with a slightly thick leaves.
Thank you Varada Mai for sharing this important aspect of our culture!
You are truly a store house of knowledge. Please continue to write and share more!
Namaskar