Shankhpushpi: Benefits, Uses, Dosage, Formulations, and Side Effects

Shankhpushpi, clad by the vernacular names Shankhini, Kambumalini, Samkhapushpi, Sadaphuli, and Sankhaphuli is a potent memory booster and brain tonic that actively works to improve intelligence and functioning of the brain. The name shankhpushpi was given to the plant owing to its shankh or conch shaped flowers. It also helps in enhancing concentration, learning capabilities, mental fatigue, insomnia, stress, anxiety, depression, etc.

Also Read: Sage: 5 Stunning Health Benefits Of The Memory Boosting Herb

What is Shankhpushpi?

Shankhpushpi, which goes by the botanical name Convolvulus pluricaulis is a perennial plant native to India. Well-known as morning-glory, speed wheel or Aloe weed in English, this medicinal herb has specific arrowhead-shaped leaves and bulb-shaped blue or white flowers. The herb is extremely beneficial and is used from root to tips for its wide range of therapeutic benefits.

The holistic science of ayurveda popularizes shankhpushpi in various rasayanas or formulations and scriptures by the Sanskrit names Shyamakranta, Visnukranta, Vaishnava, Sankhaholi, Vishnugandhi, Vishnukranti, Shankavall, Vishnukrantha, Krishnaenkranti, Nilashankhapushpi, Ksheerpushpi, Laghuvishnukranta, Erravishnukaraantha.

The host of properties including Medhya (memory booster), Vamana (Vomiting), Deepana (enhances stomach fire), Pachana (helps in digestion), Rochana (stimulates appetite), Kusthahara (treats skin disease), Shothahara (reduces inflammation), Hridaya (treats heart problems), Jantujit (relieves from worm infestation) makes this magical herb a potent solution of umpteen health problems.

Effect On Doshas

Shankhpushpi characterizes Tikta Rasa (bitter taste). It shows Snigdha (oily, sticky) and Pichhil (slimy) gunas, Sheeto Virya (cold potency) and Madhura Vipaka (pungent metabolic property). It pacifies Tridoshas, i.e. the Pitta (fire and air), Vata (air) and Kapha (earth and water) doshas and works more on Vata and Pitta doshas. Also Read: Introduction To Ayurveda: Learn About Vata, Pitta And Kapha Doshas

Known as Mangalyakushuma in Sanskrit which means bringer of good fortune and health, each and every part of this milky-white flowered plant is extremely beneficial for treating a host of ailments and improving the longevity of life.

Phytochemical Constituents

The magical herbal remedy as a whole contains a myriad of active constituents including alkaloids like shankhapushpine, convolvuline, convolidine, convolvine, convolamine, convoline, confoline, convozine. Besides these, it also contains volatile oils, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, hydrocarbons, palmitic acids, linoleic acids, myristic acids, flavonoids, steroids-phytosterols, D-glucose, maltose, sucrose, starch, rhamnose, and other carbohydrates, proteins, and amino acids.

Health benefits Of Shankhapushpi

Improves Cognitive Functioning:

Shankhpushpi is a traditional remedy for increasing the functioning of the brain. The powerful antioxidants and flavonoids present in it improve the memory capacity, focus, concentration, calmness, alertness of an individual. Being a brain tonic and stimulator, people taking shankhpushpi have improved memory, reasoning, problem-solving, and other cognitive abilities. The neuroprotective elements in the plant prevent loss of memory and relieve tension from the brain.

Reduces Mental Fatigue:

Mental fatigue is a condition of excessive and prolonged cognitive activity. It mostly occurs due to excessive work using a computer, watching television for hours, learning or memorizing activities, etc. and causes a person to lose concentration and feel lethargic. Shankhpushpi is a powerful memory booster that helps in enhancing the brain’s working capacity and reduce the loss of concentration.

Intake of a decoction of a spoonful of shankhpushpi powder with a glass of water on a daily basis can do wonders in boosting your memory.

Shankhpushpi for Depression

Shankhapushpi holds high significance due to its potent anti-stress, anti-depressive and anti-anxiety properties are extremely useful for treating different types of psychotic problems like depression, dementia, restlessness, etc. It balances the brain chemicals i.e. neurotransmitters and ups the secretion of dopamine which in turn keeps the serotonin level under control and helps to reduce various symptoms of anxiety which includes restlessness, uneasiness, cold hands, and feet, and helps in relaxing the mind and body.

Enhances Cardiac Functioning:

Shankhpushpi is extremely effective in treating various heart ailments due to its strong antioxidative nature. It strengthens the heart muscles and prevents lipid build up in the blood vessels. The bioactive constituents like the ethanolic extract reduce the levels of non-esterified fatty acids i.e. NEFA, and hence reduces the risk of heart attacks, heart blocks, blood clots, etc. It also plays a key role in lowering the levels of cholesterol in the blood.

Stimulates Digestion:

The digestive properties found in this traditional herb is found to be extremely beneficial in improving digestion. It stimulates the secretion of digestive juices thereby increasing the absorption of essential nutrients and enhancing digestion. It also prevents fluid retention and treats symptoms of abdominal pain, abdominal distension, ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Augments Skin Health:

Shankhpushpi plays a key role in treating various skin infections. The abundance of antioxidants in the potent herb is very effective in removing harmful free radicals from the body and its antipruritic nature alleviates itching sensation caused due to allergic conditions like psoriasis, eczema, acne, sunburn etc. It also acts as a skin tonic, penetrates deep into the skin, nourishes it from within and imparts a radiant and healthy glow. Apart from this, antioxidative nature also treats the various signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, etc.

Apply a mixture of a tablespoon of shankhpushpi powder with honey and rose water on your face regularly, to reduce spots and fine lines and achieve a younger rejuvenated radiant skin.

Prevents Headache:

Shankhpushpi holds high significance in providing relief from chronic headaches, tension, etc. Normally, headache occurs due to excessive workload, stress, anxiety, etc. It has a soothes irritated nerves, calms the brain and improves nerve function. Also Read: Five Common Types Of Headaches: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Massaging the forehead with shankhpushpi oil helps to relieve headaches and provide a soothing and cooling effect.