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Convolvulus, Shankhapushpi

Dwarf Morning Glory
White-flowered variety
–Shankhapushpi (Ayurveda)
–Sivakrandi (Siddha)
Blue-flowered variety:
–Vishnukranti, Vishnu gandhi (Ayurveda)
–Vishnukrandi (Siddha)
–Sankhaholi (Unani)

C. microphyllus
Wight, R., Icones Plantarum Indiae Orientalis, vol. 4 (1846)

C. alsinodes
Burman, J., Thesaurus Zeylanicus, (1737)

Evolvulus alsinoides
(Photo by Lalithamba, cropped) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:
Convolvulus spp.
  1. White-flowered Variety (primary): Convolvulus microphyllus (syn. C. pluricaulis, C. prostratus)
  2. Blue-flowered variety is Convolvulus alsinoides (syn. Evolvulus alsinoides)
Two other plants are used in some parts of India:
  3. Clitorea ternatea (South India)
  4. Canscora decussata (Bengal)

Parts used:
Whole plant, Herb

Temperature & Taste:
Cool, neutral in relation to dryness. Sweet

Uses:
1. Benefits the Brain, Stops Wind:
-promotes Intellect (Charaka)
-Confusion, Mental Illness, Neurosis, Insanity
-Nervous debility, Anxiety, Stress; useful tranquilizer
-Nervous disorders, Epilepsy

2. Benefits Spleen, Increases Qi:
-digestive stimulant, bloating, wind (especially related to stress and anxiety)
-Gastro-duodenal Ulcers (Blue-flowered variety)
-promotes Strength, Rasayana

3. Astringes to Stop Leakage and Bleeding:
-Internal Hemorrhage, Uterine bleeding
-Spermatorrhea
-promotes Fertility in both sexes

4. Clears Heat, Resists Poison:
-Blood disorders, Venereal diseases
-effects of toxic chemicals
-decoction is used as an alterative

DOSE:
2–10 grams

SUBSTITUTE:
Lavandula bipinnata (Wild Lavender) has been used as a substitute

Main Combinations:
1. Brain and intellect tonic:
i. Shankhapushpi juice (3 parts), Ghee (1 part) (Charaka)
ii. Convolvulus Shankhapushpi with Bacopa or Centella (Brahmi)
iii. Epilepsy, Speech impediment, poor memory, Convolvulus Shankhapushpi with Calamus, Centella, Costus
2. Insanity, Epilepsy:
i. Convolvulus Shankhapushpi juice taken with Costus and honey for Insanity (Chakradatta)
ii. Convolvulus Shankhapushpi with Bacopa monieri (Brahmi), Calamus (Vacha), Costus (Kushta)
3. Infertility, Convolvulus Shankhapushpi with Withania, Asparagus racemosus, Asparagus adcendens, Mucuna
4. Digestive disorders with bloating, rumbling (associated with anxiety), Convolvulus Shankhapushpi with Fennel seed, Coriander seed, Tribulus seed
5. Blood diseases, Venereal diseases, Convolvulus Shankhapushpi is prepared as a syrup with Black Pepper
6. Skin diseases, Convolvulus Shankhapushpi with Gotu Kola, Madder, Neem
7. Bleeding, Convolvulus Shankhapushpi with Madder, Emblic Myrobalan

Cautions:
None noted. Avoid overdose.

TOXICITY
Research showed no acute or sub-acute toxicity in a range of doses. (See here)

Main Preparations used:

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GENERAL / REVIEW
–Comparative pharmacognostical investigation on four ethanobotanicals traditionally used as Shankhpushpi in India.
–Phyto - chemistry and pharmacology of shankapushpi - four varieties.
–Comparative pharmacognostical investigation on four ethanobotanicals traditionally used as Shankhpushpi in India.

ANTIOXIDANT
–Antioxidant markers based TLC-DPPH differentiation on four commercialized botanical sources of Shankhpushpi (A Medhya Rasayana): A preliminary assessment.
–Antioxidant activity and functional group analysis of Evolvulus alsinoides.
–Evaluation of natural substances from Evolvulus alsinoides L. with the purpose of determining their antioxidant potency.
–Screening of antioxidant activity of three Indian medicinal plants, traditionally used for the management of neurodegenerative diseases.

ADAPTOGENIC
–Adaptogenic and anti-amnesic properties of Evolvulus alsinoides in rodents.

IMMUNOMODULATORY
–Immunomodulatory effects of agents of plant origin.

NEUROPROTECTIVE
–Neuroprotective Activity of Evolvulus alsinoides & Centella asiatica Ethanolic Extracts in Scopolamine-Induced Amnesia in Swiss Albino Mice.

IMPROVES MEMORY
–In vitro propagation and cell cultures of memory tonic herb Evolvulus alsinoides: a best source for elicited production of scopoletin.
–Investigation of the possible role of Shankapushpi in the attenuation of ECT induced amnestic deficits.
–Effect of Evolvulus alsinoides Linn. on learning behavior and memory enhancement activity in rodents.
–Adaptogenic and anti-amnesic properties of Evolvulus alsinoides in rodents.

ENHANCES LEARNING
–Effect of Evolvulus alsinoides Linn. on learning behavior and memory enhancement activity in rodents.

ANXIETY & STRESS
–Nootropic, anxiolytic and CNS-depressant studies on different plant sources of shankhpushpi.
–Evolvosides C–E, flavonol-4'-O-triglycosides from evolvulus alsinoides and their anti-stress activity [corrected].
–Anti-stress constituents of Evolvulus alsinoides: an ayurvedic crude drug.

ENHANCE COGNITION
–Nootropic, anxiolytic and CNS-depressant studies on different plant sources of shankhpushpi.
–Comparative evaluation of ethanolic extracts of Bacopa monnieri, Evolvulus alsinoides, Tinospora cordifolia and their combinations on cognitive functions in rats.
–An update on Shankhpushpi, a cognition-boosting Ayurvedic medicine.

NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE
–Screening of antioxidant activity of three Indian medicinal plants, traditionally used for the management of neurodegenerative diseases.

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
–Indian Medicinal Herbs and Formulations for Alzheimer's Disease, from Traditional Knowledge to Scientific Assessment.
–Neuropharmacological evaluation on four traditional herbs used as nervine tonic and commonly available as Shankhpushpi in India.
–In vitro enzyme inhibitory and cytotoxic studies with Evolvulus alsinoides (Linn.) Linn. Leaf extract: a plant from Ayurveda recognized as Dasapushpam for the management of Alzheimer's disease and diabetes mellitus.
–Neuropharmacological evaluation on four traditional herbs used as nervine tonic and commonly available as Shankhpushpi in India.

DEMENTIA
–Ayurvedic Medicine for the Treatment of Dementia: Mechanistic Aspects.

DIABETES
–In vitro enzyme inhibitory and cytotoxic studies with Evolvulus alsinoides (Linn.) Linn. Leaf extract: a plant from Ayurveda recognized as Dasapushpam for the management of Alzheimer's disease and diabetes mellitus.
–Efficacy of Evolvulus alsinoides (L.) L. on insulin and antioxidants activity in pancreas of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

CANCER
–Evolvulus alsinoides methanolic extract triggers apoptosis in HepG2 cells.
–Efficacy of β-sitosterol isolated from Evolvulus alsinoides L. as anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-tumor agent: Evidence from animal studies.

WOUND
–Dermal wound healing potency of single alkaloid (betaine) versus standardized crude alkaloid enriched-ointment of Evolvulus alsinoides.