Ayurvedic Herbs: Shankhapushpi
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Ayurvedic Herbs
Ayurvedic herbs are one of the many chikitsas or treatments used in Ayurvedic medicine. These herbs are used as part of an herbal protocol recommended by an Ayurvedic professional. Thusly, all the Ayurvedic herbs should not be self-administered and Ayurvedic herbs should only be taken under-advisement of your Ayurvedic Counselor/Practitioner/Doctor and approved by your Primary Care Physician. The information on the Ayurvedic herb of Shankhapushpi is only meant to educate you on the ways in which it is traditionally used in Ayurveda and is presented for educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for the diagnosis, treatment, or advice of a qualified, licensed medical professional. The facts presented are offered as information only, not medical advice, and in no way should anyone infer that we are practicing medicine. Seek the advice of a medical professional for proper application of this material to any specific situation. Do not use the information found within this post to self-diagnose any medical conditions or treat any health problems or diseases. The information provided is not intended to prescribe or be taken as medical advice. If you have or suspect that you have a medical condition please contact your health care provider immediately.
“The essence of all beings is Earth. The essence of Earth is Water. The essence of Water is plants. The essence of plants is the human being.
Esam bhutanam prthivi rasha, prthivya apo raso-pam osadhayo rasa, osadhinam puruso rasah.”
Shankhapushpi
Latin Name: Evoluvus alsinodes
Plant Family: Convolvulaceae
English Name: Shankhapushpi
Sanskrit Name: Shankhapushpi means “the plant with flowers shaped like a conch”, the conch or shankha is one of Lord Shiva’s sacred instruments
Part Used: plant, juice
Botanical Description: perennial with many branches; leaves are long with three veins; flowers are shell-shaped and white; fruits are small
Taste (Rasa): bitter, astringent, pungent
Energetics (Virya): cooling
Post-Digestive Effect (Vipaka): sweet
Quality (Guna): light, unctuous
Dosha: VPK=
Tissues (Dhatu): plasma (rasa), nerve/bone marrow (majja), reproductive tissue (shukra [male]/artava [female])
Systems (Srotamsi): excretory (purisha vaha srotas), reproductive (shukra/artava vaha srotas), menstrual (rajah vaha srotas), nervous (majja vaha srotas)
Constituents: alkaloids (shankhapushpine, evolvine, betaine); essential oils
Actions: nervine, sedative, brain tonic
Ayurvedic Actions: promotes intellectual capacity (medhya); rejuvenative to the nervous tissue (majja dhatu rasayana), alleviates insanity and emotional instability (unmadaghna); aphrodisiac (vrsya); increases the strength of the digestive system (pacanabala); laxative (chedana); promotes sleep (nidrajanana); alleviates all three dosha (tridoshahara)
Biomedical Actions: nervine, sedative, antispasmodic, cephalic, digestive, laxative, vulnerary, haemostatic, tonic
Indications: nerves, digestion, bleeding, reproduction, skin
Precautions: caution with all sedative medication due to potential positive interactions
Preparations: powder, decoction
Formulations: sarasvata churna, shankhapushpi syrup, amrutadi rasayan
Shankhapushpi is a powerful Ayurvedic nervine herb that is thought to improve memory, concentration and perception. It is beneficial for Vata, Pitta and Kapha prakruti (constitution) and vikruti (imbalances). Shankhapushpi has an affinity for the nerves and brain.
References
Frawley D. Yoga & Ayurveda: Self-Healing and Self-Realization. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press; 1999.
Frawley D, Lad V. The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press; 2001.
Gogte VM. Ayurvedic Pharmacology & Therapeutic Uses of Medicinal Plants: Dravyagunavignyam. New Delhi, India: Chaukhambha Publications; 2016.
Pole S. Ayurvedic Medicine: The Principles of Traditional Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Singing Dragon; 2013.
