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Shankha Pushpi - Medicinal Herb Benefits

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Shankha Pushpi
Shankhapushpi or Convolvulus pluricaulis is an indigenous plant commonly mentioned in Ayurveda, an ancient system of Indian medicine, as a rasayana which is mainly advocated for use in mental stimulation and rejuvenation therapy. Little human research has been published in the Western medical literature regarding this plant. One study shows shankhpushpi to have anti-ulcer effects due to augmentation of mucosal defensive factors like mucin secretion and glycoproteins. Another study showed that shankhapushpi may be helpful in improving symptoms of hyperthyroidism by reducing the activity of a liver enzyme

The whole herb is used medicinally in the form of decoction with cumin and milk in fever, nervous debility, loss of memory, also in syphilis, and scrofula. '. Shankhapushpi is used as a brain tonic. Is used as a tonic, alterative and febrifuge. It is a sovereign remedy in bowel complaints especially dysentery. The plant is reported to be a prominent memory improving drug. It is used as a psychostimulant and tranquilizer. It is reported to reduce mental tension. The ethanolic extract of the plant reduces total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids and nonesterfied fatty-acid.


Name known in different Languages:
BOTANICAL NAME » CONVOLVULUS PLURICAULIS

SANSKRIT » Laghuvishnukranta, Nilapushpi, Nilasankhapuspi, Sankhapuspi, Shankhapushpi, Vaishnava, Vishnugandhi, Vishnukranta, Vishnukranti, Visnukranta

HINDI » Shankapushpi, Shyamakranta, Syamakranta, Visnukranta, Sankhpuspi, Phooli, Shankaveli, Sankhpushpi, Shnkhahuli

ENGLISH » English speedwheel

URDU » Sankhaholi

BENGALI » Barabhutra

KANNADA » Vishnukarandi, Vishnukranti, Visnukranti, Shankhapushpi

MALAYALAM » Krsnakranti, Vishnukarandi, Vishnukranthi, Vishnukranti, Visnuklanti, Visnukranti, Vistnu-clandi

MARATHI » Shankavall, Vishnukrantha, Shankhavalli, Vishnukanta, Samkvel

ORIYA » Krishna-enkranti

TAMIL » Vishnu kanthi, Visnukiranti, Vittunukkiranti, Vittunumuli, Aparaci, Paracitam, Visnukkiranti, Vishnukarandi, Vishnukranti

TELUGU » Vishnukarandi, Vishnukranta, Vishnukranti, Visnukrantamu, Vishnukrantha, Erra vishnukaraantha

TIBETAN » Kha lsa pus syi (d), Sa nkha pu spa


Shankha Pushpi is a well known herb used especially for increasing energy. It is a boon to mental workers like professors, students, solicitors, lawyers and educationists. The plant and its fresh juice are used for medicinal purposes.

It is an appetizer, digestive, carminative and nerve tonic. It is astringent and bitter.

According to ayurvedic theory, It increases the power of mental faculties and it is called a “pittashama”. It improves the voice and is useful in cases of fits and epilepsy.

Those who complain of poor memory can take it to advantage.

It has been used in medicine since Vedic times and its pre-Vedic use dates back to 1000 B.C. from pre-Vedic times it has been considered useful for the purpose of conception, and Dimak and Khorey have acknowledged it as a laxative, rejuvenator, vitaliser and nerve tonic.

Students nowadays are in search of a brain tonic. It can be said very safely that the parts of the tree, known as ‘Panchanga’ (root, stem, leaves, flower), powdered together and taken in a dose of 3 to 6 grams morning and evening with sugar and milk improves the memory.

It induces sound sleep and removes constipation, fatigue, weakness, gas in stomach, dyspepsia etc.

There are various remedies descried in ayurveda which contain shankha Pushpi Ghrita.

Given in doses of ¼ to ½ tola, morning and evening, it proves beneficial in the case of undernourished children who are not gaining weight and whose growth is retarded, be it physical or mental.

Extract of Gulancha, root of apamarga. Vayavidanga, Shankhapushpi, Kustha, Vacha, Shatavari and Chebulic Myrobalan – all these powdered together and taken in doses of 3 grams, morning and evening, proves efficacious in cases of loss of memory, even in advanced stages.

Today when there is such a lot of complaint about loss of memory, fatigue, mental exhaustion stress and strain, this innocent ayurvedic herbal remedy can be prescribed without any hesitation. Fresh juice of this plant, along with honey, is given in many types of insanity. [Source]


Shankpushpi is used traditionally to treat nervous debility, insomnia, fatigue, low energy level. The whole herb is used medicinally in the form of decoction with cumin and milk in fever, nervous debility, loss of memory.

Shankhapushpi is used as a brain tonic. Is used as a tonic, alterative and febrifuge. It is a sovereign remedy in bowel complaints especially dysentery. The plant is reported to be a prominent memory improving drug. It is used as a psychostimulant and tranquilizer. It is reported to reduce mental tension. The ethanolic extract of the plant reduces total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids and nonesterfied fatty-acid.

There is a pertinent reference in Ayurvedic literature about the use of the drug as brain tonic in hypotensive syndromes. The pharmacological studies of the herb have shown varying degree of its hypotensive and tranquilizing effects.

Clinical studies have exhibited demonstrable beneficial effects in the patients of anxiety neurosis. The herb induces a feeling of calm and peace, good sleep and a relief in anxiety, stresses, mental fatigue, producing a significant reduction in the level of anxiety, neuroticism arising due to various levels of stresses.

The herb appears to produce its action by modulation of neuro-chemistry of the brain. Further, the herb is non-toxic and its use does not produce any side effects. On the other hand, there is invigorating effect in improvement of health and weight gain.

Ayurvedic classics namely Charak, Sushrita, Astang Sangrah and Astang Harida provide ample reference for management of various diseases. According to Ayurvedic concept, Rasayan therapy simultaneously effects the body and mind and brings about physical and phschic improvement. This therapy prevents the effects, ageing, develops intelligence and increases the body resistance agains diseases.

There is an imperative need for in-depth scientific investigations on the specific ideology of medicines and the procedure of Rasayan Chikitsa discussed in Ayurveda.

The World Health Organisation has laid down that ""Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely absence of disease or infirmity"". Rasayana drug in Ayurveda may be equated with modern immunomodulator drugs since they possess similar properties and perform similar functions.

A twining perennial herb, Convolvulus pluricaulis occurs in the plains of Northern Indian and Bihar. The whole plant is one of the most important Medha Rasayana drugs in Ayurveda. Its use improves the balance and vitiation in Kapha-vata-pitta doshas and the herb is astringent and bitter.

Chemical studies of whole plant have shown the presence of glycosides, coumarins, flavonoids and alkaloids. Shankha pushpine, (the alkaloid) has been identified as active principle. B. sitosterol glycoside, Hydroxy Cinnamic acid, Octacosanol tetracosane alongwith glucose, sucrose also have been isolated from the plant drugs. [Source]



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