A new Botanical Adulterants Prevention Bulletin (BAPB) from the ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program (BAPP) focuses on bacopa (Bacopa monnieri), an herb in Ayurveda known for its ability to enhance concentration, memory, and visual impression processing.

The bulletin summarizes the available scientific data on adulteration and mislabeling of the aerial parts of bacopa, discusses analytical methods to detect adulteration, and provides information about the taxonomy, uses, supply, and market status of bacopa.

The aerial (above-ground) parts of the plant are used as an ingredient in dietary supplements to enhance cognitive function and improve focus, mental performance, and memory recall. Bacopa preparations have also shown benefits for people who suffer from insomnia, stress, and anxiety. 

In the U.S., bacopa-based supplements accounted for more than $13.5 million in sales in natural and mainstream channels combined.

Mislabeling

In India, bacopa shares the common Sanskrit name of brahmi with another popular herb from India, gotu kola (Centella asiatica), and Ayurvedic literature acknowledges the two plant species as legitimate substitutes for each other when used medicinally.

Although B. monnieri and C. asiatica have overlapping therapeutic uses, their phytochemical constituents, modes of action, and some of their pharmacological effects differ. Nevertheless, due to the use of the same common name, accidental mislabeling of bacopa and gotu kola materials and products in the market are reported on a regular basis.

“Due to the use of the same common name for bacopa and gotu kola in some languages, and the interchangeable use in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, these two plants are sometimes mislabeled in the botanical trade,” said Stefan Gafner, PhD, chief science officer of the American Botanical Council (ABC) and director of BAPP. “Such mislabeling is readily detected by analytical laboratory testing. However, manufacturers should be aware of the nomenclatural confusion and take appropriate steps to ensure the correct botanical identity of their materials.”

The new BAPP bulletin was written by Nilüfer Orhan, PhD, an expert in natural products chemistry and pharmacology. She has previously authored or co-authored BAPP’s nigella (Nigella sativa) and boswellia (Boswellia serrata) BAPBs and St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) laboratory guidance document, as well as the BAPP-sponsored paper estimating the extent of adulteration of five popular botanical ingredients published in 2024 in the peer-reviewed journal Natural Products Reports. 

Nineteen experts in quality control of medicinal plants from non-profit organizations, contract analytical laboratories, and the herb industry in the U.S. and internationally provided peer-review input on the bulletin. 

The primary purpose of the group’s research and publishing the bacopa bulletin was to clarify the nomenclatural issue, said Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director of ABC and founder of BAPP. “Nevertheless, as the bulletin documents, bacopa can also be subject to intentional adulteration and fraud for economic reasons, which adds further value to our publication.” 

The BAPP bacopa bulletin is the 30th publication in the series of BAPBs and the 94th peer-reviewed document published by BAPP. As with all BAPP publications, the BAPBs are freely accessible on BAPP’s homepage on the ABC website (registration required).