What is Shankpushpi?

Behind the interesting name of the Ayurvedic herb Shankpushpi, several botanical species are hidden - Convolvulus pluricaulis, Evolvulus alsinoides, etc., and are perennial plants originating from India, distant cousins of the well-known gramophone or povetice. Shankpushpi in Sanskrit means "plant with flowers shaped like a shell". The conch shell or Shankha is one of the sacred instruments of Lord Shiva, often used in ritual worship and has innumerable health benefits. It is a powerful brain tonic that actively works to improve intelligence and memory function. It also helps with concentration, learning ability, mental fatigue, insomnia, stress, anxiety, depression, etc.
The herb is extremely beneficial and is used from root to tip for its wide range of therapeutic benefits - it contains resins, tannins, vitamin C and minerals that give the herb its psychostimulant properties. The ethanolic extract of the plant reduced total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids and non-esterified fatty acids.
The herb is known to cure mental weakness.
 
Shankapushpi is used in Ayurveda for its many properties including Medhya (memory enhancer), Deepana (intensifies gastric fire), Pachana (aids digestion), Rochana (stimulates appetite), Kusthahara (relieves skin diseases), Shothahara (reduces inflammation ), Hridaya (relieves heart problems), Jantujit (relieves worms)

What is the effect of Shankpushpi on the doshas?

Shankpushpi calms the three doshas Pitta, Vata and Kapha, but works best on Vata and Pitta.

Health Benefits of Shankpushpi?

● Improves cognitive functioning
  a traditional means of improving the functioning of the brain. The powerful antioxidants and flavonoids present in it improve a person's memory capacity, focus, concentration, calmness, alertness. As a brain tonic and stimulant, people taking shankpushpa have improved memory, reasoning, problem solving and other cognitive abilities. Neuroprotective elements in the plant prevent memory loss and relieve stress from the brain.

● Reduces mental fatigue.
Mental fatigue is a state of excessive and prolonged cognitive activity. It most often occurs due to excessive computer work, watching TV for hours, learning or memorizing activities, etc. and makes one lose concentration and feel lethargic. Shankpushpi helps to strengthen the working capacity of the brain and reduce the loss of concentration.

● Shankpushpi has anti-stress, anti-depressant and anti-anxiety properties which are extremely helpful in helping various types of psychotic problems like depression, dementia, anxiety etc. It balances brain chemicals ie. neurotransmitters and increases the secretion of dopamine, which in turn keeps serotonin levels under control and helps reduce various symptoms of anxiety, including restlessness, restlessness, cold hands and feet, and helps relax the mind and body.

● Improves heart function:
It strengthens the heart muscles and prevents the accumulation of lipids in the blood vessels. Bioactive ingredients such as the ethanol extract reduce the levels of non-esterified fatty acids, i.e. NEFA, and thus reduce the risk of heart attacks, heart blocks, blood clots, etc. It also plays a key role in lowering blood cholesterol levels.

● Stimulates digestion:
The digestive properties of this traditional herb are believed to be extremely beneficial in improving digestion. It stimulates the secretion of digestive juices, thereby increasing the absorption of essential nutrients and improving digestion. It also prevents fluid retention and helps relieve abdominal pain, bloating, ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome.

● Relieves chronic headaches:

Shankpushpi is of great importance in providing relief from chronic headache, tension etc. Usually, headaches occur due to overexertion, stress, anxiety, etc. It soothes irritated nerves, calms the brain and improves nerve function.

● Helps with insomnia
Shankpushpi helps reduce the levels of cortisol, which is a stress hormone, and thus improves the quality and duration of sleep.

● In infections
Several studies have shown that Shankpushpi has powerful antibacterial properties. The bioactive compounds present in this traditional herb not only prevent worm infestation but also heal wounds and improve

● Shankpushpi for hypertension
The active components make it a suitable remedy for people suffering from high blood pressure or hypertension. It prevents hardening of the arteries, i.e. atherosclerosis, thereby reducing strokes and preventing heart attacks