Shankhpushpi/Convolvulus pluricaulis: Health Benefits & Uses Of this Plant

SHANKHAPUSHPI

Shankhpushpi/Convolvulus pluricaulis presentation: Plant profile & Description

Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) is an indigenous, perennial, wild, spreading, and grass like natural herb that primarily expands on rocky and sandy locations of India (especially in Bihar and Punjab) and Burma. 

Three species of Shankhapushpi are pointed out in Ayurvedic texts which are based on flower shading - blue, pink, and white and out of which only white flowers are being used as a prescription, and regarded as an excellent medicine for brain-related diseases. 

It really is world renowned and celebrated by the name of brain tonic.

Its plant is found in 30 cm stature, branches are spread around 25 cm long, leaves have emerged in 1/2-2 inches in length, the flowers are about 2-4 mm in proportions and elliptic in form, which prospers in October and November, and the fruits are brown colored. 

Its flower looks similar to a conch (Shankha), and which is the reason why it is called Shankhpushpi. It has the status of morning glory too.

Different names including vernacular names of Shankhpushpi

Scientific Name - Convolvulus pluricaulis.

English  Name - Aloe weed, English speedwheel, and Nail Pusher.

Hindi Name - Shankhpushpi, Aparajita,  Shyamakranta, Sadaphuli, Kambumalini, Shankaveli, Phooli, Shveta, Mahashveta, Kambumalini, Samkhapushpi, Sankaphuli, Mohanasi, Supuspi, Ardrakarni,  Sephanda, and Shankhahuli.

Sanskrit Name - Shankhapushpi, Shatapushpa,  Chirinti, Chanda, Supushpi, Sitapushpi, Shankhakusuma, Shankhini, Shankhahva, Laghuvishnukranta, Kseerpushpa, Shankhamalini, Medhya, Akshapida, Girikarnika,   Gokarnika, Mangalya Kusuma, Keshini, Kambupushpi, Nilasankhapuspi, Pitapushpi,  Vanavilasini, Vishnukanta, Vaishnava, Vishnugandhi, Chaura, Vishnukranthi, Bhulagna, Vishnukranthi, and Kambumalini.

Urdu Name - Sankhali.

Bengali Name - Barabhutra and Sankhapuspi.

Gujarathi Name - Shankhavali.

Kannada Name - Vishnukranthi and Bilikanthisoppu.

Malayalam Name - Malayamukki, Kakkanam, Krasna kranthi, Kurukkan pull, Aaral, Vishnuklandi, Vishnukranthi, and Visnuklanti.

Marathi Name -  Shankhavela, Shankavall, Samkavel, Vishnukanta.

Punjabi Name - Shankhapuspi, Porpang, Dodak.

Oriya Name - Krishna-enkranti.

Tamil Name - Sanghupushpam,Aparaci, Piracetam, Kakkurattai, Vishnukranthi, Vittunukkiranti, Vishnu kanthi, Visnukiranti, and Vittunumuli.

Telugu Name - Erravishnukaraantha, Vishnukranthi, and Visnukrantamu. 

Nepali Name - Shankhapushpi.

Australian Name - Butterfly-pea.

French Name - Honte.

Spanish Name - Bejuco-de-conchitas.

German Name - Blaue clitorie.

Brazilian Name - Cunha.

Portuguese Name - Clitoria azul.

Tibetan Name - Sa-nkhapu-spa and Khalsa-pus-syi (d).

Parts Of The Plant Shankhapushpi Used

In Ayurveda, the entire plant is used for the treatment of various diseases like Flowers, Leaves, Seeds, Fruits, Stem, and Roots.

Nutritional facts and Chemical Constituents of Shankhpushpi

After a profound study and significant research, lots of ingredients were found in Shankhpushpi plant that ended up being to an extremely effective solution for human health and wellness. 

The facts of the components found through chemical analysis are as per the following which turned out to be gainful for mankind.

The next is the portrayal of ingredients - 

Glycosides,  Flavonoids, Coumarins, Octacosanol, Tetracosane, Proteins, Anti-oxidants, Amino acids, Carbohydrates (Glucose, Maltose, Rhamnose, Sucrose, Starch, etc.), Alkaloids (Shankhapushpine, Convosine, Convoline, Confoline, Convolamine, Convolidine, Convolvine), Phenolic, Glycosides, Triterpenoids, Steroids,       Scopoletin, β-sitosterol, Ceryl alcohols, 20-oxodotriacontanol, Tetratriacontanoic acids, Flavonoid-kampferol, Steroids-phytosterols,  B-sitosterol, Hydroxy Cinnamic acid, N-hexacosanol, Fatty acids, Volatile acids, Volatile oils, Fatty alcohols, Hydrocarbons, Linoleic acids, Myristic acids, Palmitic acids, etc.

Biological Sources and Scientific classification

Botanical Name(s): Convolvulus pluricaulis, Kingdom: Plantae, Sub-kingdom: Tracheobionta, Sub-class: Asteridae, Division: Magnoliophyta, Super-division: Spermatophyta, Clade:           Eudicots/            Asterids, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Solanales, Family: Convolvulaceae/Gentianaceae, Genus: Convolvulus, and Species: MIcrophyllus/Pluricaulis.

Medicinal use of Shankhpushpi

Shankhpushpi can be used to treat the next disorders - 

Memory loss, Headache, Mental stress, Anxiety, Depression, Hallucinations, Behavioral disorders, Sleeplessness, Tonsillitis, Insanity, Hysteria, High blood pressure, Irritability, Heat sensation, Aggression, Lack of concentration, Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Excess sweating, Urinary disorders, Hyperactivity, Epilepsy, Vertigo, Hypersensitivity, Mental fatigue, Insomnia, Mood swings, Mild convulsions, Anorexia nervosa, Bronchitis, Mild inflammations,  Vomiting, Loss of appetite, Hyperthyroidism, Rheumatism,  Diabetes, Constipation, Digestive disorders, Hematemesis, Asthma, Recurrent miscarriages, Burning sensation in the body, Bed-wetting, and Teething problems of infants.

Usage & Benefits Of Shankhpushpi In Various Health Problems

·         How the Shankhpushpi improves memory?

MEMORY LOSS TREATMENT WITH SHANKHAPUSHPI

Corresponding to Ayurvedic perspective or point of view, Shankhapushpi is a nervine tonic especially used for healthy brain and mind. 

It really is one of the traditional herbs in India and enriched with various restorative and healing advantages for the brain. From mental stimulation to brain development, memory power boosting to concentration improvement, Shankhapushpi has several remarkable health advantages.

Several types of medical researches have already confirmed that Shankhpushpi enhances blood flow to the brain which helps nourishes the brain and related nerves. 

Apart from this, it improves cognition, intelligence, alertness, mental weakness, learning, and retention of memory, and manages forgetfulness, memory loss etc. by regulating neurotransmitters of the brain. 

It has been named brain tonic/nervine tonic on account of its distinctive brain-related benefits. It is mostly used by the intellectual person such as instructor, teacher, lecturer, scientist,  philosophers etc. It is also used in children with mental retardation.

It's a boon for school going children and can be viewed as a powerful tonic for the kids who are anxious to get good marks in their examination. 

It may be extremely advantageous if used for 3-4 months without interruption as it is notable as a robust brain stimulant.

A syrup is well suited for children and easy to get at on the market. Many well-known and established brands like Dabur, Baidyanath, Unjha, Patanjali etc. prepare this medicine in syrup form for the use of children.

·         Mental Stress And Depression 

Major mental stress is generated from a runny life which has a negative influence on the human brain. 

Major depression always disturbs the balance of the brain's neurotransmitter and Shankhapushpi plays an important role in restoring the balance of neurotransmitter by an increased secretion of dopamine that offers mind calm and relaxation.

HEADACHE & DEPRESSION

·         A Headache and Migraine

A headache is a result of living a stressful life.

It can relieve a headache by enhancing nervine function. This herbal plant is very effective for many who suffer from chronic and persistent headaches. Aside from this, it treats a migraine too.

·         Psychosis and Insanity

This herbal selection has been used for hundreds of years of insanity like madness, epilepsy, hysteria. And usage of Shankhpushpi with Brahmi for such kind of diseases provides very admirable results.

·         Shankhpushpi, an all natural tranquilizer

A large part of the population suffers from insomnia due to the wrong living habits and practices.

All night falls in restlessness. If you are also involved and worried with insomnia, then Shankhpushpi is the thing for you. For this, consume Shankhpushpi powder with cow's milk.

· Hypertension/Highblood pressure & Heart problems


 

HEART PROBLEMS

The medicinal plant is also beneficial in the cases of high blood pressure. It offers a healthier heart and ideal for your heart-related problems. 

It is a well-established medicine to decreasing high blood pressure. Apart from this, Shankhapushpi extract allows decrease cholesterol level and regulate phospholipids and triglycerides which is like a boon for the heart patient.

·         Cures Hyperthyroidism

An excessive secretion of thyroxin hormone can bring about hyperthyroidism concern and can be managed with Shankhpushpi with the aid of consuming frequently.

·         An all natural pain-killer

It owns analgesic features and used to take care of joint pain, arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatic articular pain etc.

·         Recurrent miscarriages   

Additionally, it is known as habitual abortion and Shankhapushpi proves very effective in this kind of cases because it is not only a brain tonic but also a uterine tonic. Using it with Ashwagandha gives strength to the uterus and be rid of habitual miscarriages.

·         Bed-wetting

Often kids urinate on the bed during the night time and Shankhpushpi also has the solution because of this problem.

·         It increases beauty and complexion

In line with Ayurveda, it is also one of the satisfactory natural herbs that nourish skin, refine complexion, and enhance beauty. Many Ayurvedic pharma companies put it to use it in cosmetic and beauty products which you can easily buy from the marketplace.

IMPROVE COMPLEXION WITH SHANKHAPUSHPI

·         Hair problems

In the cases of hairfall, hair loss, untimely graying of hairs Shankhpushpi oil can be an efficient solution because it has the capabilities to promote hair growth.

· Dementia and Alzheimer's disease treatment with Shankhpushpi

DEMENTIA & SHANKHAPUSHPI

Dementia and Alzheimer's is a neurodegenerative disease (intellectual problem)that affects the cognitive and behavioral frame of mind wherein forgetfulness happens. 

In most of the cases, the patient may also forget his relatives, loved ones, family members, and friends there is surely no such solution to this problem except Ayurveda. 

And then Shankhpushpi offer a good solution in the cases of Dementia and Alzheimer.

·         Improves digestion

Shankhpushpi is an appetite stimulator herb by means of improving digestive function. 

Its leaves possess laxative attributes and additionally treat the gas formation, jaundice, piles, dyspepsia, flatulence etc. It also helps in removing intestinal worms.

·         Mental Fatigue

People who do excessive intellectual and mental work, they once in a while start experiencing tiredness credited to work overload. 

And soon lose their interest and enthusiasm for the task and come to be a victim of lethargy. To overcome this situation, Shankhpushpi should be used.

Shankhpushpi side effects, precautionary measures, and wellbeing tips

A.   Instances of side effects are almost never seen. Taking the appropriate dosage does not have any side effects. Studies also indicate toxicity worried to the respiratory system. 

   A higher dose excessive than 1 gm. per kg body weight may cause respiratory interruption, CNS suppression, and reduced locomotor activities for a transient time.

B.   Be that as it may, any kind of side effects have not been found if utilized as a part of legitimate quantities but rather a therapeutic advice is necessary for proper dose recommendation as well as preventing side effects.

C.   Its taste is annoying and unpleasant, so some people are reluctant to have it orally.

D.   The patient with low blood pressure should avoid this because Shankhapushpi can decrease blood pressure.

Dosage of Shankhapushpi

Its dosage is determined in line with the physical condition, body weight, and age of the patient.

In general, powder form can be taken 3 - 5 gms. in 2-3 times daily and in the form of an extract should be intaken 250-500 mg twice daily, and fresh herbal paste 5-20 gms in divided dosage.

It would be better if you talk about dose with an Ayurvedic physician.

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WRITTEN  BY   RAJESH  KUMAR