View source for Bacopa monnieri

{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Water Hyssop
| image = Bacopa monnieri - Aeae.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Lamiales]]
| familia = ''[[Scrophulariaceae]]''
| genus = ''[[Bacopa]]''
| species = '''''B. monnieri'''''
| binomial = ''Bacopa monnieri''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]] [[Pennell]]
}}

'''''Bacopa monnieri''''' is a [[Perennial plant|perennial]], creeping [[herb]] whose habitat includes wetlands and muddy shores.  Common names include '''Water Hyssop''' and '''brahmi''' (note: brahmi is also the Ayurvedic name given to ''[[Centella asiatica]]'' and other herbs). 

The [[Leaf|leaves]] of this plant are succulent and relatively thick. Leaves are oblanceolate and are arranged oppositely on the stem. The [[flower]]s are small and white, with four or five petals. Its ability to grow in water makes it a popular [[aquarium]] plant. It can even grow in slightly brackish conditions. Propagation is often achieved through cuttings.

It commonly grows in marshy areas throughout [[India]], [[Nepal]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[China]], [[Taiwan]], and is also found in [[Florida]] and other southern states of the [[USA]] where it can be grown in damp conditions by the pond or bog garden.

Famed in [[Ayurvedic]] medicine, brahmi has [[antioxidant]] properties. It has been reported to reduce oxidation of fats in the blood stream, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.

It has been used for centuries to help benefit [[epilepsy]], memory capacity, increase concentration, and reduce stress-induced [[anxiety]]. It is listed as a [[nootropic]], a drug that enhances cognitive ability.

In [[India]], this plant has also been used traditionally to consecrate new born babies in the belief that it will open the gateway of intelligence. Recent studies suggest bacopa may improve intellectual activity<ref name="Stough">{{cite journal|author=C. Stough, J. Lloyd, J. Clarke, L. Downey, C. Hutchison, T. Rodgers, P. Nathan|title=The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects|url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=11498727&query_hl=26&itool=pubmed_docsum|year=2001|journal=Psychopharmacology (Berl)}}</ref> <ref name="Roodenrys">{{cite journal|author=S. Roodenrys, D. Booth, S. Bulzomi, A. Phipps, C. Micallef, J. Smoker|title=Chronic effects of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) on human memory|url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=12093601&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_DocSum|year=2002|journal=Neuropsychopharmacology (Wollongong)}}</ref>.

This plant is also known as Thyme-leafed gratiola and Moneywort. Synonyms include ''Herpestris monnieria'', ''Moniera euneifolia'', ''Lysimachia monnieri'', and ''Bacopa Monniera''.