Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus Pluricaulis) Benefits & Side Effects

Shankhpushpi, also spelled as Shankhapushpi (botanically, Convolvulus Pluricaulis) is very important herb used in ayurveda due to its therapeutic benefits. It helps enhancing brain powder, improving memory and concentration and increasing ability to recall. Therapeutically, Convolvulus Pluricaulis is beneficial for sleeplessness, stress disorders, mental debility or sensitivity, vertigo, etc. In addition to other herbs, it is included in some formulations used for schizophrenia, depression, epilepsy and aggressive behavior disorders.

Basic Information

Scientific Name	Convolvulus Pluricaulis
Plant Family	Convolvulaceae
Hindi Name	Shankhpushpi
Sanskrit Name	Shankhpushpi,
English Name	Type of Morning Glory or Bindweed

Botanical Classification (Plant Taxonomy)

Kingdom	PLANTAE
Sub-Kingdom	VIRIDIPLANTAE
Infra Kingdom	STREPTOPHYTA  (land plants)
Super Division	EMBRYOPHYTA
Division	TRACHEOPHYTA (TRACHEOPHYTES or Vascular Plants)
Sub Division	SPERMATOPHYTINA (SPERMATOPHYTES or Seed Plants)
Class	MAGNOLIOPSIDA
Super Order	ASTERANAE
Order	SOLANALES
Family	CONVOLVULACEAE (morning-glories)
Genus	Convolvulus L. (Field Bindweed)
Species	C. Pluricaulis

Medicinal Parts of Shankhapushpi

1. Flowers
2. Leaves
3. Stem
4. Roots

Whole plant is useful for medicinal purposes. All parts of Convolvulus Pluricaulis have therapeutic value.

Medicinal Properties

Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus Pluricaulis) has following healing properties.

Primary Actions

• Anti-stress
• Anti-depressive
• Anti-anxiety
• Memory enhancer
• Concentration booster
• Mild anticonvulsant
• Mild anti-epileptic
• Anti-oxidant
• Adaptogenic

Secondary Section

• Antacid
• Carminative
• Digestive Stimulant
• Uterine tonic
• Aphrodisiac
• Mild anti-inflammatory
• Diuretic

Ayurvedic Properties

Taste – RASA	Bitter (TIKTA)
Main Quality – GUNA	Unctuous (SNIGADH), Sliminess (PICCHIL)
Potency – VIRYA	Cool (SHEETA )
Resultant – VIPAKA	Sweet (MADHUR)
Therapeutic Effect – PRABHAVA	Brain tonic (MEDHYA)
DOSHA KARMA (Effect on Humors)	Pacifies TRIDOSHA (VATA, PITTA & KAPHA)
Effects on Organs	Brain & Nerves

Therapeutic Indications

Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus Pluricaulis) is helpful in following health conditions.

Main Indications

• Mental fatigue
• Memory loss
• Headache (due to stress, mental workload or study)
• Dementia
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Mental hypersensitivity
• Highly sensitive person (HSP)
• Unmanageable emotional excesses
• Emotional stress
• Mild convulsions
• Stress disorders
• Depression (with aggressive symptoms or violence)
• Epilepsy
• Schizophrenia
• Anorexia nervosa

Secondary Indications

• Loss of appetite
• Flatulence
• Abdominal discomfort (generally associated with mental illness)
• Hematemesis (blood in vomit)
• Recurrent miscarriages

Benefits & Medicinal Uses

Convolvulus Pluricaulis (Shankhpushpi) is found effective in mental disorder when patient has any of following symptoms.

1. Restlessness
2. Irritability
3. Aggressive behavior
4. Feeling Overwhelmed
5. Feeling depressed
6. Mental stress
7. Burning sensation in head
8. Heat sensation
9. Excessive Sweating or Sweating due to stress
10. Vertigo
11. Feeling mental fatigue
12. Anger
13. Indecisiveness
14. Moodiness
15. Dizziness
16. Hallucinations

According to ayurveda, Convolvulus Pluricaulis is good remedy when PITTA humor is involved in excess. Although, it is effective in aggravation of all three humors, but it effectively manages PITTA aggravation in mental diseases.

Mental fatigue

However, mental fatigue is a non-specific symptom according to modern science, but people obviously feel drop-off in maximal cognitive performance. It becomes apparent when person feel unable to concentrate and lethargy. However, mental fatigue has many causes, but the most common causes are overwork, computer work, study, learning or memorizing and mental stress.

If all causes belong to mind or brain, then Convolvulus Pluricaulis (Shankhpushpi) works well removing on all the root causes of mental fatigue. It is highly helpful in reducing mental fatigue and providing more enthusiasm for work.

One can take 1 tsp. Shankhpushpi powder two times a day with water to reduce mental fatigue. For beneficial results, following combination is very effective.

Herbal Remedy	Dosage
Shankhpushpi Powder (Convolvulus Pluricaulis)	1 gram
Ashwagandha Powder (Withania Somnifera)	1 gram
Almond Powder	2 gram
White pepper	125 mg

This remedy is also very effective for improving physical strength due to presence of Ashwagandha.

Memory loss & Dementia

Convolvulus Pluricaulis (Shankhapushpi) improves cognitive functions and acts as memory booster. It improves retention span and recall powder.

Although, there are several causes of dementia, but all leads to brain cell damage. Shankhpushpi helps in progressive dementias by preventing further brain cell damage. It also improves remaining nerve cells’ functions to improve symptoms of dementia and memory loss.

Headache

(due to stress, mental workload or study)

Many students have reported headache while studying. If eyesight is correct, then Convolvulus Pluricaulis is a good choice of herb for them. Generally, this type of headache occurs due to mental weakness, mental workload, studying for a long period or mental stress. Shankhpushpi provides strength to the brain and improves nervine function. Thus, it helps calming irritated nerves and treat headache. Taking Shankhpushpi Syrup is more beneficial in this case. Shankhpushpi powder can be taken with Itrifal Ustukhuddus if other causes are also associated.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Convolvulus Pluricaulis has property to reduce mental irritability and impulsiveness. The effective remedy for ADHD is as follows.

Ayurvedic Remedy	Dosage
Shankhpushpi Powder (Convolvulus Pluricaulis)	250 mg
Gotu kola (Centella Asiatica)	500 mg
Mukta Pishti (or Moti Bhasma)	125 mg
Abhrak Bhasma	30 mg

If child with ADHD is most irritable, aggressive, feeling overwhelmed and has heat sensation, excessive sweating, restlessness and mood swings and easily gets angry, then following treatment is helpful.

Ayurvedic Remedies	Dosage
Mukta Pishti	250 mg *
Praval Pishti	250 mg *
Giloy Sat	250 mg *
Shankhpushpi	250 mg *
Mulethi (Yashtimadhu) – Licorice – Glycyrrhiza Glabra	500 mg *
* Twice daily with water, milk or honey
Along with this mixture, Saraswatarishta (with Gold) should also be used in dosage of 2 ml twice daily.
With this treatment, many patients get positive results within 3 months.

Autism

The Shankhpushpi combination can help children with autism.

Ingredients	Quantity (Single Dose)
Shankhpushpi powder	250 mg
Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri)	100 mg
Ashwagandha	100 mg
Mandukaparni (Centella Asiatica)	100 mg
Jatamansi	50 mg
Mukta Pishti	50 mg
Abhrak Bhasma	25 mg

This combination should be mixed given ratio and given twice daily with water.

Mental hypersensitivity

(or highly sensitive person or HSP)

A person who cannot endure loud noises, bright light, strong smells is called highly sensitive person. The root cause of this problem is hypersensitivity of nerves.

However, Convolvulus Pluricaulis is not fully effective alone, but the following ayurvedic combination with Shankhpushpi powder is effective treating such symptoms.

Ayurvedic Remedy	Dosage
Shankhpushpi Powder (Convolvulus Pluricaulis)	250 mg
Mukta Pishti	125 mg
Abhrak Bhasma	125 mg
Praval Pishti	125 mg
Chandi Bhasma (Rajat bhasma)	50 mg

Stress disorders & Depression

(with aggressive symptoms or violence)

Whatever the cause of mental stress or depression, but it results in three major things can affect the brain functions.

1. Physical changes in the brain
2. Neurotransmitter imbalance
3. Hormone changes

However, the action of Convolvulus Pluricaulis on physical changes in the brain and hormone changes is unknown. However, it is effective in case of brain chemical imbalance (Neurotransmitters imbalance). It increases the secretion of dopamine and make person feel good and alert.

Anorexia nervosa & Loss of appetite

Convolvulus Pluricaulis (Shankhpushpi) is more effective when emotional characteristics contribute anorexia nervosa or loss of appetite. Shankhpushpi also has characteristics of appetite and digestive stimulant, which further helps improving appetite.

Hematemesis (blood in vomit)

Some experts also believe that Shankhpushpi is effective in hematemesis. Honestly, we have never used it for this purpose.

Recurrent miscarriages (habitual miscarriage)

According to ayurveda, recurrent miscarriages occur due to weakness of uterus or its structures. For this purpose, Convolvulus Pluricaulis is given with Ashwagandha powder to strengthen uterus and prevent miscarriage.

Herbal Remedy	Dosage
Shankhpushpi Powder (Convolvulus Pluricaulis)	1.5 gram
Ashwagandha Powder (Withania Somnifera)	1.5 gram

Woman suffering with habitual miscarriage should try conceiving after completing 3 months course with above remedies mentioned in the table.

Dosage

The dosage of Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus Pluricaulis) depends on the use of herbal form. It is available in powder and extracts form in the market. Fresh herb can be used making herbal paste.

Plant Part or Derivative	Dosage
Powder	3 to 5 grams
Extract	250 mg to 500 mg
Herbal Paste (KALKA)	5 to 20 grams

The dosage of Convolvulus Pluricaulis can also vary according to age and body weight of person. Generally, above dosage is accurate for adults.

Caution & Side Effects

There are no side effects observed with the use of Convolvulus Pluricaulis (Shankhpushpi). Some people may feel discomfort when taking its fresh herbal paste. It might be due to herbal taste. Otherwise, no disadvantage adverse effect has found. It is SAFE and WELL-TOLERATED in most of people.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Convolvulus Pluricaulis also has rejuvenative properties and provides strength to the uterus. Therefore, it is LIKELY SAFE and BENEFICIAL in pregnancy. It helps preventing miscarriage. The possible action of Convolvulus Pluricaulis is to provide strength to the uterine musculature and prevents bleeding.

It is POSSIBLY SAFE for lactating mothers. There is no harmful effect found in breastfeeding child as well as in lactating mothers.