July 6, 2022
Bacopa monnieri (common name, bacopa) is a medicinal plant used in Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine of India, as a nootropic. It is considered to be a “medhya rasayana”, an herb that sharpens the mind and the intellect. Bacopa is an important ingredient in many Ayurvedic herbal formulations designed to treat conditions such as memory loss, anxiety, poor cognition and loss of concentration. It has also been used in Ayurveda to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis.
The thyroid is an important gland which produces hormones that play a role in a wide array of metabolic processes. It is not uncommon for people to experience different thyroid problems, and besides following doctor-recommended medications, making certain lifestyle changes is a good way to manage that condition.. There are many herbal medicines that may treat thyroid disorders including Bacopa. Some thyroid supplements contain bacopa as well.
According to Thyroid Advisor and other studies, bacopa has the potential to increase the production of thyroid hormone and help individuals suffering from hypothyroidism.
A scientific study on mice showed that high doses of Bacopa (200mg/Kg) acts as a very potent stimulant to help fight hypothyroidism, by boosting the concentrations of Thyroxin (T4) by up to 41%. The study therefore vigorously suggests that Bacopa extract does indeed have a stimulatory effect on the function of the thyroid gland.
Do bacopa monnieri supplements have side effects?
Usually, if you have hypothyroidism, it is not recommended to use supplements or any other forms of treatment without discussing it with your doctor. The ingredients in any supplement can interfere with the efficacy of your medications, and that’s a scenario you want to avoid.
Since bacopa monnieri is a plant and is usually included in dietary supplements made of natural ingredients, the risk of adverse effects is low. Of course, it is highly important that you take only the suggested dosage. Don’t increase or decrease the dose of the supplement out of your own accord.
If you want to consume organic bacopa monnieri i.e. in leaf form, then things can be a bit tricky. At this point, when it comes to bacopa in its plant form, there is no standard dosage that a person should take to stimulate thyroid hormone production.
It is very important to point out the obvious fact that you shouldn’t take bacopa monnieri if you have hyperthyroidism as the plant could only aggravate your condition.
How to take bacopa monnieri
Although bacopa monnieri can be found in nature, most people find it easier to take it as a supplement. As mentioned above, if your doctor approves the use of bacopa monnieri, you should stick to the dosage he recommends. In most cases, the dose is 300mg. It is also possible for some patients to to get the plant in leaf or powder form, and the dose in that case is usually, 750-1500mg.
Back in time, bacopa was consumed with ghee which is a clarified butter that originated in India. This tradition was actually useful because bacopa is fat soluble, which means it needs a lipoid transporter in order to be fully absorbed by the body and exhibit its benefits.That’s why the right way to take bacopa is alongside a meal.