Brahmi-

INTRODUCTION
 Charak has described brahmi as the major component of aindra rasayana, which prevents ageing and disease, improves memory and intelligence, prolongs life, nourishes the body, provides strength and improves complexion and voice.
ii) All these classical Ayurvedic texts consider brahmi as a potent drug with medhya and general rasayana effect which has been used singly for the promotion of memory, intelligence and general performance

Thus, brahmi as described in the Ayurvedic classics written by Charaka, Sushrutu and Vagbhatta is definitely a potent psychotropic drug to be used for promotion of mental faculties and for treatment of major psychotic disorders

 contrast to the above properties of brahmi, mandukparani is considered to be less potent. As a matter of fact, it has been recommended to be used more often as a saka (vegetable) in the dietary regimen of certain patients

Though mandukparani is considered to be a medhya rasayana, it has not been recommended to be used as a remedy for any psychotic disorder. As a matter of fact, one does not find even a single reference in the Ayurvedic classics regarding the use of mandukparani singly or in combination as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of unmad (psychosis), apasmara (convulsive disorder), attatavabhinivesha (stress induced anxiety leading to memory impairment

In light of these historical and traditional backgrounds, a standardized extract of brahmi containing an optimum concentration of the active constituent, bacosides, was developed. This plant is mentioned to be used singly in three standard Ayurvedic treatises, i.e., the two Brhattrayi or big books, viz., Charak Samhita and Sushruta Samhita and one Laghutrayi or small book, viz. Bvhav Prakash Nighantu and as a compound preparation in Ashtang Hrdya. All these treatises are recognized as authoritative and are included in the First Schedule of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940. The fact that the brahmi does not find a place in Schedule E1 (which contains the name of Ayurvedic poisons) bear testimony to its safety profile

Brahmi in Sushruta Samhita

The Sushruta Samhita (c. 200 AD) has described brahmi as efficacious even in total loss of memory

The manifold medicinal properties of brahmi are thus described as being efficacious in case of white leprosy, chronic enlargement of spleen, complicated fever, total loss of intellect and memory and pains of the joints (Sharma et al. 1983