Bacopa, commonly known as water hyssop, is an Ayurvedic herb traditionally used as a tonic for nervous disorders, hoarseness, as a cardiac tonic, and for urinary incontinence especially in combination with constipation.
As with all saponin-containing herbs, it is considered an adrenal adaptogen but might irritate the digestive tract if taken on an empty stomach. However, because it is also fat soluble, it should be taken with a meal containing additional fat to add in absorption anyway.
I have used Bacopa for many years in formula that also contains Ashwaganda and Bladderwrack called Thyroid Complex. The Bacopa supports pineal and pituitary function, the Ashwaganda is a great adrenal adaptogen and the Bladderwrack is a good source of iodine for the thyroid. This supplement is my “go to” for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
More recently, I have been using Bacopa as a stand-alone herb. Primarily because of improvements in cognition and reduced anxiety reported in multiple double blind studies of this herb. These benefits are noted in both young and old patients putting Bacopa in the general classification as a nootropic herb.
Bacopa interacts with dopamine and serotonergic systems, but its main mechanism concerns promoting neuron communication. It does this by enhancing the rate at which the nervous system can communicate by increasing the growth of nerve endings, called dendrites. Bacopa also has some antioxidant activity.
The beneficial effects of Bacopa take time to truly be appreciated. Typically improvement is much more notable at 8-12 weeks then at 4-6 weeks. However, the anxiolytic effects may occur much more quickly and often are not sustained.
