Brahmi Ghrita – Uses , Side Effects and preparation
Brahmi Ghrita is a very famous Ayurvedic medicine, in herbal ghee form. This medicine has ghee as its base. It is used for preparatory procedure for Panchakarma and also as medicine, mainly for treatment of improving intelligence, learning skills and speech.
Brahmi Ghrita benefits:
It is widely used as medicine and also in preparatory procedure called snehakarma for the treatment of improving learning skills, intelligence, memory, speech. It is also used in the treatment of skin diseases, epilepsy and female infertility. Reportedly overcomes impotency.
It is used for treating
Depression,
Fatigue,
Myalgia – depression induced bodyache
Stress disorder
Effect on Tridosha – Calms Vata, Pitta and Kapha
Brahmi Ghritam dosage:
As medicine – quarter to half teaspoon with water, usually before food, once or twice a day, or as directed by Ayurvedic doctor.
For Panchakarma preparation – Snehana procedure, the dose depends on the disease status and the judgement of Ayurvedic doctor.
It is usually administered with warm water.
Pathya:
Light pathya rules are to be followed. Avoid wine and non-vegetarian food. Keep the body clean.
How to use Brahmi Ghrit as a brain tonic for healthy people?
If you are healthy, still want to use Brahmi ghrita, then take half a teaspoon of this, just before your morning cup of coffee / tea / milk. You can take it for up to two months. Note that you have to have some hot drink or at least hot water, after taking this herbal brain tonic ghee.
Brahmi Ghritam Side Effects:
There are no known side effects with this medicine. However it is best to use this product under medical supervision. Self medication with this medicine is discouraged.
People with diabetes, high cholesterol, heart diseases and high BP should exercise precaution.
In very high dose, it may cause diarrhoea and indigestion.
Synonyms: brahmi ghrita, brahmi ghritam, brahmi ghrit, brahmi ghritham
Brahmi Ghrit Ingredients:
Brahmi – Bacopa monnieri juice extract – 1.536 liters
Ghrita – 768 ml
12 g of each of
Trikatu – Pepper, long pepper and ginger
Shweta and Krishna Trivrit – Operculina turpethum
Danti – Baliospermum montanum
Shankhapushpi – Clitorea ternatea
Nripadruma – Cassia fistula
Saptala – Acacia sinuata
Krumihara – Embelia ribes
Brahmi Ghrutham reference: Ashtangahrudayam Uttarsthana 6/23-25
Another reference of Brahmi ghritam:
Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana 10/25
ब्राह्मीरस वचा कुष्ठशङ्खपुष्पीभिरेव च|
पुराणं घृतमुन्मादालक्ष्म्यपस्मारपापनुत्||२५||
brāhmīrasa vacā kuṣṭhaśaṅkhapuṣpībhireva ca|
purāṇaṃ ghṛtamunmādālakṣmyapasmārapāpanut||25||
Old cow ghee (1 part) is cooked with
4 parts of Brahmi Juice (Bacopa monnieri) and
The paste of
Vacha – Acorus calamus Linn.),
Kushta – Saussurea lappa and
Shankhapuspi – (1/4th part in total)
This medicated ghee is indicated in –
Unmada – insanity
Alaksmi – inauspiciousness
Apasmara – epilepsy and
Papa – effects of devil deeds
Scientific research on Brahmi Ghrita in patients of depression:
In a clinical study conducted by Dept. of Panchakarma & Manasa Roga, I.P.G.T. & R.A., Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, India, Brahmi ghrita showed moderate improvement in 50% patients and mild improvement in 35% patients. Its total effect was statistically highly significant (p<0.005) as compared to placebo.
Food to avoid and have during Brahmi Ghrit –
1. It is better to drink hot water soon after taking Brahmi Ghritham.
2. It is best to avoid cold water / cold food stuff soon after taking this ghee.
3. While taking this ghee, better to avoid excess of garlic and onion and excess of non veg food. (to improve Satt/vik nature of mind)
Food to take –
Vitamin E Rich food like almonds, sunflower seeds, Fortified cereals, Nuts, Vegetable oils, peanuts, Cooked spinach, Tomato, turnip greens, peanut butter, wheat germ, Avocado.
Fish oil, soyabean are some of food that are good to take.
Pregnancy, lactation and children:
Seek medical advice for its usage during pregnancy