Shankhapushpi

 Shankhapushpi , commonly known as Speed wheel is found through out India. The plant have high therapeutic values and is used in different combinations of medicine to treat diseases that affects mental stability of a person. It is also used in many Rejuvanative preparations. Dr. Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian uses the herb Sankhapushpi for the treatment of disorders involving vitiation of Vata Pitta and Kapha doshas. The herb is tridosha samaka as it normalizes all three doshas. It is used in conditions like Insanity , Epilepsy etc. Sankhapushpi contains Phytoconstituents like Confoline, Convolvine etc. The herb is one of the commonly used intellect promoter.

General aspects and geography

Botanical name : Convolvulus pluricaulis      

Family :  Convolvulaceae 

Habitat: All over India

Parts used

• Whole herb

Classical categorization based on Ayurveda textbooks

Charaka Samhita – not mentioned 

Susruta Samhita – not mentioned 

Pharmacological action

• Intellect promoter 

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

• Medhya ( Promotes intellect)
• Vrishya (Aphrodisiac)
• Rasayana (Rejuvanative)

Therapeutic indications

• Intellect promoter (Medhya)- Ghee processed with juice of Sankhapushpi if used regularly will improve intellect
• Insanity (Unmada)- Old ghee processed with Sankhapushpi if taken internally regularly, will alleviate Insanity.

Dosage

Powder(Curna)- 5 g

Juice – 20 ml

Tablet - 2 tablets twice daily or as per the advice of the Ayurveda doctor 

Note: Ayurveda medications must be taken only after consulting an Ayurveda doctor. 

Formulations 

• Brahma rasayana
• Manasamitra vataka
• Sankhupushpi taila

Morphology :

A perennial prostate herb with aerial stems. Leaves are oblong. Flowers are light purple. Fruits are capsule. Inflorescence is dichasial cyme.

Vernacular names of Sankhapushpi

English – Speed wheel

Hindi- Shankhahuli

Malayalam – Vishnukranti

Sanskrit – Sankhapushpi

Synonyms

• Mangalya kusuma
• Supushpi
• Bhulaghna

Rasapanchaka of Sankhapushpi

Rasa- Kashaya(Astringent ) Tikta (Bitter)

Guna-  Guru (heavy)

Vipaka- Madhura(Sweet)

Virya-  Sita (cold )

Prabhava – Medhya (Promotes intellect)

शङ्खपुष्पी सरा मेध्या वृष्या मानसरोगहृत् ।

रसायनी कषायोष्णा स्मृतिकान्ति बलाग्निदा ।

(Bhavaprakasa Nighantu -Guducyadi varga-shloka 269)

Sankhapushpi is Tridosha samaka because of it’s properties like sweet taste and heavy in nature. The herb is used to alleviate diseases including Insanity , Epilepsy etc. Ayurvedatarian lead by Dr. Varun Ram Raj, is currently conducting various researches based on ancient Ayurvedic textbooks, involving Sankhapushpi for preparing various combinations of medicines to alleviate conditions involving vitiation of Kapha, Vata and Pitta and also uses the herb to produce medicines that promotes intellect. Reach Ayurvedatarian for better health management.

Frequently asked Questions

1. What are the uses of Sankhapushpi Powder?

Used in improving intellect and memory.

2. What are the useful parts of Sankhapushpi?

Whole herb is used.