Bacopa - A Natural Cure for Children with ADD
Research Shows Bacopa is an Effective Herbal Medicine for ADHD
Bacopa monniera, also referred to as water hyssop and Brahmi, has been used as a brain tonic in herbal medicine for centuries. New research has confirmed the power of this herb as a treatment for ADD, ADHD, learning disorders, memory and concentration. Bacopa also provides relief from anxiety and epileptic disorders.
Research on Bacopa and Children with ADHD
Bacopa has been found to enhance cognitive function in children. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 36 children with diagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder were studied over a 16-week period. Nineteen of the children received an extract of the herb at a dosage of 50 mg twice daily for 12 weeks, and 17 were given a placebo. The mean age of the children in the two groups was 8.3 years and 9.3 years, respectively.
The children were evaluated using numerous cognitive function tests at baseline, four, eight, 12 and 16 weeks. A significant benefit was observed in Bacopa-treated subjects at 12 weeks as evidenced by improvement on sentence repetition, logical memory, and paired associate learning tasks. Evaluation showed these improvements were maintained at 16 weeks (after four weeks’ placebo administration).
Bacopa is a Powerful Remedy for Mental Disorders
Bacopa forms the basis for a number of important herbal preparations. Ancient texts dating back as far as the sixth century BC record the use of Bacopa to promote mental function and treat mental disease. Bacopa remains an important herb in Hindu medicine. It is also an important component of Chinese herbal medicine. Current medical research has focused on Bacopa’s effects on memory, learning and concentration. The results of such research have tended to support the traditional claims.
Since Bacopa's primary therapeutic use is to enhance cognitive function, the majority of research on the plant has attempted to determine the mechanisms of these effects. Studies have included clinical trials using human subjects. The acute and chronic effects of Bacopa on cognitive function have been studied in children as well as adults. In adults, it appears that Bacopa must be administered chronically in order to obtain cognitive-enhancing effects.
Research on Bacopa and Cognitive Function
Since Bacopa's primary therapeutic use is to enhance cognitive function, the majority of research on the plant has attempted to determine the mechanisms of these effects. Studies have included clinical trials using human subjects. The acute and chronic effects of Bacopa on cognitive function have been studied in children as well as adults. In adults, it appears that Bacopa must be administered chronically in order to obtain cognitive-enhancing effects.
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 38 healthy volunteers (ages 18-60), subjects were given a single dose of 300 mg Bacopa monniera extract or a placebo. The patients were examined two hours after receiving the extract to determine the herb’s maximum pharmacodynamic effect. Acute doses of the extract resulted in no significant changes in cognitive function when compared to baseline values. Parameters measured included attention, working and short-term memory, verbal learning, decision making, memory consolidation, executive processes, planning and problem solving, speed of information processing, and motor responsiveness.
References:
Stough C, Lloyd J, Clarke J et al 2001 The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects. Psychopharmacology 156(4):481
Negi KS, Singh YD, Kushwaha KP, et al. Clinical evaluation of memory enhancing properties of Memory Plus in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Ind J Psychiatry 2000;42:Supplement. (Abstract)
Bacopa Monnieri may be used to Treat ADHD
|
What do you think about this article?
More in Health & Wellness
Latest Articles