Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus Pluricaulis)

This perennial herb has a tiny, densely hairy, woody, branching rootstock that grows 4 to 12 inches long. After rising to a certain height, the branches disperse across the grass and the ground. The length of the leaves ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 inches. The base is sharp, and the petiole is small. When touched, the flower's broad, glossy upper sections release a radish-like scent. The flowers have thick rose, pink, or white hues. Its seeds are brownish or blackish in hue and have funnel-shaped shapes. The entire bush has a grey or black plum-like appearance.

This plant grows naturally in India in rocky and fallow regions during the rainy season. The flowers fall into three categories because of the differences in color. 

1. White 
2. Blue 
3. Canscora decussate (Gentianaceac). 

Shankhahuli is another name for these plants.

General Information:

Shankhpushpi is regarded as a well-known Ayurvedic remedy for enhancing intelligence and memory. It aids in mental renewal and can be used to treat toxicity and other issues, including vomiting. Additionally, it has been used for many years to treat conditions like constipation, cerebral irregularities, epilepsy, edema, anxiety, hypertension, neurosis, stress, sleeplessness, asthma, and bronchitis. Additionally, using this herb is highly effective in treating neurological illnesses like Alzheimer's and dementia, among others.

The entire plant is full of therapeutic qualities. Studies on the chemical composition of the entire plant have revealed the presence of sucrose, hydroxycinnamic acid, glycosides, coumarins, flavonoids, and alkaloids in addition to sitosterol glycoside. These phytochemical substances show a range of medicinal qualities that can be used to treat different types of illnesses.

Habitat:

Commonly found in India and also cultivated.

Classification:

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Division: Magnoliophyta
• Class: Magnoliopsida
• Order: Solanales
• Family: Gentianaceae
• Genus: Convolvulus
• Species: pluricaulis

Names:

• Latin Name - Convolvulus pluricaulis
• Hindi Name - Sankhahul, Shankhahuli
• Sanskrit Name - Ksheerapushpi, Mangala Kusuma, Shankhava, Shankhpushpi
• Telugu Name - Sankhapuspi
• Marathi Name - Sankhvel
• Gujarati Name - Sankhavali
• English Name - English speedwheel
• Urdu Name - Sankali

Ayurvedic Properties:

Effects On Doshas:

It balances pitta and kapha doshas.

Practical Uses:

• Shankhpushpi is regarded in Ayurveda as a wonderful brain tonic that improves memory, intelligence, learning, and retention. Additionally, it is a herb that promotes brain renewal.
• Asthma, bronchitis, cerebral abnormalities, epilepsy, edema, urinary disorders, constipation, and extremely dangerous and complex brain (mainly neurodegenerative) diseases like Alzheimer's and dementia, among other disorders, have all been treated with it since ancient times.
• Using this plant helps control vertigo symptoms. This herb aids in nervous system relaxation. Additionally, it relieves vertigo-related symptoms like headache, anxiety, stress, and cognitive issues.
• This herb is well-known for its ability to help with respiratory issues, including bronchitis, asthma, coughing, and common colds. In addition to strengthening immunity to ward against different bacterial or viral diseases, it aids in clearing airways.
• The treatment of urogenital problems can greatly benefit from the use of this herb. It aids in relieving symptoms such as a burning sensation, urethral edema, and painful urination.
• This herb has the ability to stimulate sperm. It helps increase sperm production in guys and also increases sperm quality.
• People with insomnia and other sleeping difficulties can benefit from using this plant.

Parts Used:

Whole plant, seeds, root, ash (alkali).

Dosage:

Paste 1.25-2.5 g and decoction 50-100 ml.

FAQs:

1. What is Shankhpushpi, and how can I recognize it?
Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) is a perennial herb with a tiny, densely hairy, woody, branching rootstock about 4-12 inches long. After growing upright to a point, its branches spread across grass and ground.

Leaves are 0.5-1.5 inches long with a sharp base and short petiole. The flowers have broad, glossy upper parts that release a radish-like scent and appear in thick hues of rose, pink, or white; flower types are also described as white, blue, and a form linked to Canscora decussata. Seeds are brownish to blackish and funnel-shaped. The whole bush can appear gray to blackish, and it is also known as Shankhahuli.

2. Where does it grow, and what are its names and classification?
It grows naturally in India, especially in rocky and fallow areas during the rainy season, and is also cultivated.

Scientific classification given:
Kingdom Plantae; Division Magnoliophyta; Class Magnoliopsida; Order Solanales;
Family Gentianaceae; Genus Convolvulus; Species pluricaulis.

Names include Latin: Convolvulus pluricaulis; Hindi: Sankhahul/Shankhahuli; Sanskrit: Ksheerapushpi, Mangala Kusuma, Shankhava, Shankhpushpi; Telugu: Sankhapuspi; Marathi: Sankhvel; Gujarati: Sankhavali; English: English speedwheel; Urdu: Sankali.

3. What are its Ayurvedic properties and effects on doshas?
In Ayurveda, Shankhpushpi has a bitter taste (Rasa: Tikta), is sticky and oily in quality (Guna: Picchila, Snigdha), has a cold potency (Virya: Sheeta), and a sweet post-digestive effect (Vipaka: Madhura). It is said to balance pitta and kapha doshas.

4. What traditional uses and benefits are described for Shankhpushpi?
It is regarded as a brain tonic that supports memory, intelligence, learning, retention, & overall mental rejuvenation. Traditionally, it has been used for toxicity, vomiting, constipation, cerebral irregularities, epilepsy, edema, anxiety, hypertension, neurosis, stress, sleeplessness, asthma, bronchitis, & complex neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia.

It helps manage vertigo and related headaches, anxiety, and cognitive issues; supports respiratory health (bronchitis, asthma, cough, and common colds) and immunity; aids urogenital complaints (burning, urethral edema, and painful urination); is described as a sperm stimulant improving count and quality; and benefits those with insomnia.

5. Which parts are used, typical dosage forms, and what key phytochemicals are present? The whole plant, seeds, root, and ash (alkali) are used. Common preparations include a paste (1-2 g) and a decoction (50-100 ml). Reported constituents include sucrose, hydroxycinnamic acid, glycosides, coumarins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and sitosterol glycoside, which together are associated with a range of medicinal properties.