Shankhapushpi: - A Novel Herb of Ayurveda

Abstract

Shankhpushpi is a well-known Ayurvedic medicine primarily used for its positive effects on the central nervous system, especially in enhancing memory and improving intelligence. References from Ayurvedic and Sanskrit literature indicate that the name Shankhpushpi has been used for four different plant species. These plants are often used individually or in combination with other herbs in various traditional Ayurvedic formulations mentioned in ancient texts. The plants identified as Shankhpushpi include Convolvulus pluricaulis Choisy (Convolvulaceae), Evolvulus alsinoides Linn. (Convolvulaceae), Clitoria ternatea Linn. (Papilionaceae), and Canscora decussata Schult. (Gentianaceae). This review aims to summarize the available scientific information on the pharmacognostic characteristics, chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, and both preclinical and clinical studies of these different Shankhpushpi species. Such an overview helps to establish clear differentiation parameters among them and to evaluate variations in their therapeutic effects based on botanical sources.

Keywords

Introduction

Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus?pluricaulis) has been reported to alleviate several forms of stress—including psychological, chemical and traumatic stress—and to exert multiple central?nervous?system effects. The juice of the shankhpushpi plant is also use to prevent excessive menstrual bleeding.?Both ethanolic and methanolic extracts of the plant decrease spontaneous motor activity, enhance pentobarbitone?induced hypnosis and morphine?mediated analgesia, suppress fighting behavior, abolish conditioned avoidance responses, and antagonize convulsive seizures and tremor?induced tremors.  Similar pharmacological actions, such as hypotensive, anxiolytic, antistress and neuroprotective activities, have also been documented for the whole?plant extracts

Plant profile: - vernicular name

Sanskrit	Sankhapuspa
Bengal	Sankhpuspi
Gujarathi	Shankhvali
Hindi	Shankhpushpi, Aparajit
Kannada	Bilikanthisoppu
Marathi	Shankhvela
Punjabi	Shankhpuspi
Tamil	Sanghupushpam, Kakkurattai
Telagu	Shankhpushpi

Various Variety of Flowers