Shankhpushpi is recommended by ayurveda acharyas to boost memory, concentration, quality of sleep, hair growth, and skin health.
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Table of content
About Shankhpushpi or morning glory
Ayurveda medicinal properties of shankhpushpi
Health Benefits and Uses of ShankhPushpi
Precautions to be taken while using shankhapushpi
About Shankhpushpi or morning glory
Shankh pushpi is known as morning glory in English. It has the botanical name Convolvulus pluricaulis Chois and belongs to the family Convolvulaceae.
It is a shrub that spreads around. It grows up to a height of 1 ft. Its flowers resemble a conch. Hence the name shankha pushpin. Flowers may be white or royal blue in color. It grows all over India especially in Gujarat, Goa, Rajasthan, Bihar.
It is known as shnkhaahuli in hindi, saankhvel in Marathi , shankhaavalee in gujarati, shankada huvu in kannada.
In Ayurveda it has various synonyms like
- Shankhava, Shankhapushpi has flowers that resemble the shape of a conch
- Ksheerapushpi as its white-colored flowers looks like milk.
- Mangala Kusuma – Flowers of this plant are very auspicious
Chemical composition
This plant has Sankhapushpine, B- sitosterol, Kaempferol, N- hexacosanol, Hydroxy Cinnamic acid, etc.
Ayurveda Medicinal properties of shankhpushpi
Texts of Ayurveda explain the medicinal properties of this plant as follows.
This plant is bitter to taste (tikta rasa) and acquires sweet taste (madhura rasa vipaka) after digestion. It increases the moistness of tissues and prevents tissue drying. Shankhapushpi acts as a body coolant (sheeta veerya) and it is a brain tonic (medhya).
All parts of this plant are used for medicinal purposes.
Health Benefits and Uses of ShankhPushpi
Ayurveda acharyas recommend using this herb in many diseases. Here are its benefits and Uses.
Effect on Doshas
It balances Vata dosha, pitta dosha, and Kapha dosha. Hence it is recommended in all diseases which arise due to an imbalance of 3 doshas, especially in diseases that occur due to Vata and pitta.
Improves Skin Complexion
This herb helps in ayurvedic skin detox and also improves the glow and complexion of the skin. This can be applied as a natural ayurvedic herbal face pack and its tea helps to eliminate toxins from the body and skin. Remedies of this herb helps in acne, pimple, pigments, and psoriasis
Helps in hair growth
This herb is highly recommended for healthy hair growth. The ayurvedic hair oil processed with this herb helps to enhance hair growth and prevent hair loss. The paste of this herb can be applied as an ayurvedic hair pack or hair mask for hair growth.
Best Brain Tonic
This herb is eulogized as medhya (brain tonic which boosts memory and concentration). Ayurveda acharyas highly recommend this herb in the treatment of epilepsy, stress, anxiety, depression, low memory, short spans of concentration, etc. This is the best ayurvedic remedy for a good sound sleep.
Sets right digestive issues
This herb increases appetite and improves digestion. It balances Agni (digestion power) and relieves indigestion. Shankhapushpi relieves constipation and aids in piles (hemorrhoids). This herb is used to get rid of intestinal parasites.
Strengthens Circulatory system
This plant is praised as hrudya or heart-friendly. It strengthens the heart tissues and helps in the management of high blood pressure. The herbal preparation of this plant is highly effective in haematemesis (blood vomit)
Clears Respiratory System
Singers and public speakers are immensely benefited by this herb as it clears vocal cords (swarya) and improves the pitch of voice. Since it helps in the expectoration of bronchial secretions, it is recommended in cough with Vata and Kapha origin.
Cools Urinary System
Preparations of this herb are highly beneficial in Cystitis (inflammation of bladder) and UTI (Urinary Tract Infection). It soothes the inner layers of the bladder and urinary tract. Increases urine output and acts as a coolant.
Boosts Male Fertility
This herb is lauded as vrushya (aphrodisiac). It strengthens shukra dhatu (semen) and helps to increase sperm count and motility. Strong shukra dhatu improves conditions like klaibya or erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.
Improves Female Fertility
This herb is administered to prevent habitual abortions. It improves fertility in women and prevents miscarriages. this can be used by women as an ayurvedic remedy for PCOS or PCOD
Increases Immunity
Shankhapushpi is highly appreciated as a rasayana herb (rejuvenating herb). It increases body immunity and strength.
How to Use this herb ?
This herb must be used as tea or juice.
Precautions to be taken while using shankhapushpi
- This herb causes hypotension (lowers blood pressure). Hence persons who suffer from frequent low BP should use this after consulting a qualified ayurvedic physician.
- If you are willing to use this along with hypertension medications, please consult your physician.
- If you want to use this during pregnancy, please consult your family physician.
- It is safe to use if you are a lactating mother
- This can be used in children above 3 years of age with the dose recommended by the pediatrician
Consult Dr.Savitha Suri for ayurvedic remedies. Email drsavithasuri@gmail.com . WhatsApp + 91 6360108663
Author : Dr. Savitha Suri Consultant Ayurvedic Physician
Reference: An update on Ayurvedic herb Convolvulus pluricaulis
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