Deemed as a potent brain-boosting herb, Shankhpushpi has been used since the ancient ages for improving memory and functioning of the brain. Shankhpushpi, which goes by the botanical name Convolvulus pluricaulis is a perennial plant in nature and hails from India. The plant is named Shankhpushpi owing to the presence of beautiful shankh or conch-shaped blooms. Be it treating anxiety, depression, stress, mental fatigue, insomnia or enhancing concentration, and learning capabilities, this rejuvenative herb does it all.
The holistic science of Ayurveda notes this herb for being used for the various indications including Medhya (memory booster), Kusthahara (treats skin disease), Shothahara (reduces inflammation), Vamana (Vomiting), Deepana (enhances stomach fire), Pachana (helps in digestion), Rochana (stimulates appetite), Hridaya (treats heart problems), and Jantujit (relieves from worm infestation).
Shankhpushpi inherently showcases Tikta Rasa (bitter taste). It shows Snigdha (oily, sticky) and Pichhil (slimy) gunas, Sheeto Virya (cold potency) and Madhura Vipaka (pungent metabolic property). It normalizes all the three doshas, i.e. the Pitta (fire and air), Vata (air) and Kapha (earth and water) doshas and works more on Vata and Pitta doshas.
Health Benefits Of Shankhapushpi
Enhances Cognitive Abilities
Imbued with powerful antioxidants and flavonoids, shankhpushpi is an ultimate remedy for improving the memory capacity, calmness, focus, concentration, alertness of an individual. Being a potent brain tonic and stimulator, people consuming shankhpushpi have been reported to have improved memory, reasoning, problem-solving, and other cognitive abilities.
Evades Depression
Thanks to the anti-stress, anti-depressive and anti-anxiety properties, this incredible herb is extremely useful for treating different types of psychotic problems like depression, dementia, restlessness, etc. By balancing the brain chemicals i.e. neurotransmitters, it ups the secretion of dopamine which in turn keeps the serotonin level under control and effectively helps to reduce various symptoms of anxiety.
Stimulates Digestion
The superb digestive properties found in this traditional is pivotal in treating various gastrointestinal problems and even in improving digestion. It stimulates the secretion of digestive juices thereby increasing the absorption of essential nutrients and promoting digestion. It also helps in treating abdominal pain, abdominal distension, constipation, ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Promotes Cardiac Functioning
Shankhpushpi holds high significance in treating various heart anomalies owing to its strong antioxidative nature. It strengthens the heart muscles and prevents deposition of lipids in the blood vessels. Presence of bioactive components like the ethanolic extract reduce the levels of non-esterified fatty acids i.e. NEFA, and hence in turn wards off the risk of heart attacks, heart blocks, blood clots, atherosclerosis etc.
Augments Skin Health
Shankhpushpi is one such herb that is even beneficial in treating various skin infections. The abundance of antioxidants in it plays a key role in removing harmful free radicals from the body and its antipruritic quality reduces itching sensation and inflammation caused due to allergic conditions like psoriasis, eczema, acne, sunburn etc. It also acts as a skin tonic, and treats the various signs of aging like wrinkles, to impart a radiant and healthy glow from within.
