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
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Stem
- 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.
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Aggressive behavior
- Feeling Overwhelmed
- Feeling depressed
- Mental stress
- Burning sensation in head
- Heat sensation
- Excessive Sweating or Sweating due to stress
- Vertigo
- Feeling mental fatigue
- Anger
- Indecisiveness
- Moodiness
- Dizziness
- 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.
- Physical changes in the brain
- Neurotransmitter imbalance
- 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.
YOU ARE GIVING EXCELLENT INFORMATION ON AYURVEDIC TREATMENTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
Sir ji- Please Give Photo of the plant- Tree-Leaves-Flowers Fruit/Seed Etc
will U Please
Bye
Actually, we cannot take pictures from net because of copyright issue. Let see what I can do. We have a plan to create a database for herbs with our owned pictures, so it will take some time. We already have a person who agreed to work for us for taking pictures of different parts of the plants and herbs. We will start this project soon and provide a gallery of each herb in the website.
Sir,
First of all very thankful about this great work your articles are very informative to common peoples it will help to create awareness about medicinal herbs and its conservation.
Thanks a lot.
Hi, Is the above mentioned combination for Autism available as a medicine?
One has to prepare the combination using ingredients in provided ratio.
Hello Dr J Singh
Please can you advise me where I can purchase Shankhpushpi powder? My child has ADHD. Are there any other remedies for children with ADHD?
Please Read: ADHD
Dr. Thank you for these important information.
Can we give to teenage children Brahmi juice ( 25-30ml) in the morning and Shankhpushpi juice ( 25-30ml) in the evening for memory / brain power growth and concentration.
Yes, you can give Brahmi and Shankhpushpi juices and both will help to improve memory and concentration.
Namaste
Dear Sir.
I have now about 10 years a Depression ( that is really poor and sad). I take Serotoninwiederaufnahmehemmer ( I don’t now this medical worth in English). Now my Question, can I take ( safe) Shankhpushpi and Ashwagandha 3 x 500 mg. ( 1:1 mixed)- I hope I cane lose one of the chemicals. I´m an man and 57 years old. I´m a Monk- and I be happy to be a Monk ! Thank you for your answer and I hope you have an good Answer for me!, my English is bad, I´m German.
yours
fr. Vitalis M. OSB
Hello Doctor, I have a 8 year old daughter with autism anxiety and speech delay…when you say take powders with water…Could you please elaborate? I can get the powders probably online…she may not eat powders directly…what else I can do?
Hello sir
My relative takes antipsychotic drug for hallucination in past for one year (risperidone). Shall we take shankapushpi?
Shankhpushpi alone may not help. Patient may also require other medicines, so it is best to consult an ayurvedic physician.