Shankhpushpi

Shankhpushpi or Shyamaktanta is a perennial herb that is used for its medicinal benefits.
It helps to manage digestion and constipation due to its mild laxative property. It improves mental health and might help in managing depression due to its antidepressant activity.
According to Ayurveda, Shankhpushpi helps to calm down the brain and relieve stress as well as anxiety. It also improves memory by acting as a brain tonic due to its Medhya (improves intelligence) property. You can take Shankhpushpi powder along with warm milk or water to help boost memory and concentration. Shankhpushpi tablets and capsules can also be used to improve brain functions.
Shankhpushpi might help to manage wrinkles and prevent ageing due to its Rasayana (rejuvenating) property. Applying Shankhpushpi powder on skin helps in acne and wound healing due to its Ropan (healing) property. Applying Shankhpushpi oil on the scalp and hair help control hair fall and also promotes hair growth due to its Rasayana (rejuvenating) property.

What are the synonyms of Shankhpushpi?

Convolvulus pluricaulis, Shyamakranta, Syamakranta, Visnukranta, Speedwheel, Sankhaholi, Vishnukarandi, Vishnukranti, Krsnakranti, Shankavall, Vishnukrantha, Krishna-enkranti, Erravishnukaraantha[1].

What is the source of Shankhpushpi?

Plant Based

Benefits of Shankhpushpi

1. Poor Memory
Shankhpushpi improves memory and concentration levels due to its Medhya (improves intelligence) property.

2. Insomnia
Shankhpushpi helps to manage stress and insomnia by relaxing the mind due to its Vata balancing and Medhya properties.

3. Epilepsy
Shankhpushpi helps to lower the risk of epilepsy and other mental disorders due to its Medhya and Rasayana properties.

4. Indigestion and Constipation
Shankhpushpi improves digestion and manages gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation, jaundice, dysentery, piles dyspepsia because of its mild laxative nature.

5. ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
Shankhpushpi improves concentration and attention span in children suffering from ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) due to its Medhya (improves intelligence) property.

Precautions when using Shankhpushpi

Advice from Experts

AYURVEDIC VIEW

Take Shankhpushpi in recommended dose and duration as a high dose can lead to stomach problems like loose motion.

Breastfeeding

AYURVEDIC VIEW

Use Shankhpushpi only under medical supervision during breastfeeding.

Patients with heart disease

AYURVEDIC VIEW

Monitor your blood pressure while taking Shankhpushpi with your preexisting antihypertensive medication. This is because Shankhpushpi has blood pressure lowering property.

Pregnancy

AYURVEDIC VIEW

Use Shankhpushpi only under medical supervision during pregnancy.

Recommended Dosage of Shankhpushpi

Shankhpushpi Powder - ¼-½ teaspoon twice a day.
Shankhpushpi Juice - 2-4 teaspoons once or twice a day.
Shankhpushpi Capsule - 1-2 capsules twice a day.
Shankhpushpi Tablet - 1-2 tablets twice a day.

How to use Shankhpushpi

1. Shankhpushpi Powder with Milk
a. Take ½-1 teaspoon of Shankhpushpi powder with lukewarm milk.
b. Take it preferably in the morning.
c. Use this remedy on a daily basis to improve memory and concentration[3].

2. Shankhpushpi Juice with Water
a. Take 3-4 teaspoons of Shankhpushpi juice.
b. Mix it with one glass of water and drink it twice a day.
c. Use this remedy on a daily basis to lower the risk of epilepsy[3].

3. Shankhpushpi Capsule
a. Take 1-2 capsules of Shankhpushpi.
b. Swallow it with milk or water preferably after meals.

4. Shankhpushpi Tablet
a. Take 1-2 tablets of Shankhpushpi.
b. Swallow it with milk or water preferably after meals.

Frequently asked questions

Q. What is the price of Shankhpushpi Syrup?

MODERN SCIENCE VIEW

Shankhpushpi Syrup is available in the market in various pack sizes and brands. For example, Dabur offers Shankhpushpi Syrup (450 ml) at Rs 150, while Baidyanath offers the same quantity at Rs 155.

Q. What forms of Shankhpushpi is available in the market?

MODERN SCIENCE VIEW

Shankhpushpi is available in the market in the following forms:
1. Syrup
2. Tablets
3. Churna or Powder
4. Capsule (Extract)

Q. What is the chemical constituents of Shankhpushpi?

MODERN SCIENCE VIEW

Shankhpushpi is a rich source of carbohydrates such as D-glucose, maltose, rhamnose, sucrose and alkaloids such as shankhapushpine, convolamine and convoline. It also contains fatty acids, volatile oils, proteins and amino acids[2].

References

Bhowmik D, KPSampath, Paswan S,et.al. Traditional Indian Herbs Convolvulus Pluricaulis and Its Medicinal Importance. J Pharmacogn Phytochem.2011;1(1):50-58.
Agarwal P, Sharma B, Fatima A,et.al.An update on Ayurvedic herb Convolvulus pluricaulis Choisy.Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2014;4(3): 245–252.
Balkrishnan A.Shapushpinkh.Ayurved Jadi Buti Rehsya. Danik Bhaskar.2017
Shah JS, Goyal RK.Usage trends for memory and vitality-enhancing medicines: A pharmacoepidemiological study involving pharmacists of the Gujarat region.Int J Ayurveda Res.2010; 1(3): 138–143.
Rao RV, Descamps O, John V.Ayurvedic medicinal plants for Alzheimer's disease: A review.Alzheimers Res Ther.2012; 4(3):22.
Sharma K, Bhatnagar M, Kulkarni SK.Effect of Convolvulus pluricaulis Choisy. and Asparagus racemosus willd on learning and memory in young and old mice: a comparative evaluation.Indian J Exp Biol.2010;48:479-485.
Bhowmik D, Kumar KPS, Paswan S et al.Traditional Indian herbs Convolvulus pluricaulis and its medicinal importance.Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry.2012;1(1):50-58.
Dhingra D, Valecha R.Screening for antidepressant-like activity of convolvulus pluricaulis choisy in mice.Pharmacologyonline.2007;1:262-278.
Siddiqui NA, Ahmad N, Musthaq N et al.Neuropharmacological profile of extracts of aerial parts of Convolvulus pluricaulis choisy in mice model.Open Neurol J.2011;8:11-4.
Sharma K, Arora V, Rana AC et al.Anxiolytic effect of Convolvulus pluricaulis choisy petals on elevated plus maze model of anxiety in mice.Journal of Herbal Medicine and Toxicology.2009;3(1):41-46.
Puri HS.Rasayana: Ayurvedic Herbs for Longevity and Rejuvenation.CRC Press.2003.
Chetna AHW.Causes & Cure Of Stress (Migraine & Headache).Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd.1997.
Balkrishna A.Secrets of Indian herbs. Divya Prakashan.2008.
Hindu V.Shankapushpi: A short review.IRJP.2012;3(1):81-83.

Disclaimer

The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.

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