Shankapushpi: The Memory Tonic

Shankapushpi

Sankhini

Evolvulus alsionides

Character: The Worshipper

Shanka means conch in Sanskrit. The conch is often considered to be related to the ears which are a gateway to the brain. It is said that worry is related to how we hear and Shankapushpit calms the mind of worry. It can also be beneficial for the health of the skin and for improving digestion due to a nervous stomach.

Guna: heavy and oily

Rasa: Bitter, pungent, astringent

Vipaka: sweet

Virya: cool

Prabhava: Improves emotional instability

Dosage: 1-5 grams

Main Action:  Tonic. Aphrodesiac, laxative, sleep promoter, emotional stabilizer

Action on Doshas: Balances all Doshas

Action on Dhatus: Strengthens the nervous system, bowel, intestines and blood

Description:  Shankapushpi is the premier herb for pain, anxiety, insomnia and stress. It contains alkaloid shankapushpine, evolvine and some essential oils (Paranjpe 2001). It’s calming effect on the nervous system also promotes digestion and encourages bowel function. Less commonly it has been used to heal wounds and to heal the skin when anxiety or worry are present.  

Main Uses:

1.      Insomnia

2.      Exhaustion

3.      Nervous debility

4.      Pain

5.      Poor memory


Special Uses:

1.      Fertility

2.      Urinary bleeding


Precautions: none