May reduce inflammation

Inflammation is your body's natural response to aid in healing and disease-fighting. Chronic, low-level inflammation, on the other hand, has been related to a variety of chronic diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and heart and kidney disease. Bacopa monnieri seemed to decrease the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are chemicals that induce an inflammatory immune response, in test-tube tests. It also inhibited enzymes such as cyclooxygenases, caspases, and lipoxygenases in test-tube and animal tests, all of which play important roles in inflammation and pain.

Furthermore, in animal experiments, Bacopa monnieri showed anti-inflammatory properties equivalent to diclofenac and indomethacin, two nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications routinely used to treat inflammation. More study is needed, however, to evaluate whether Bacopa monnieri decreases inflammation in humans.