Scientific name- Convolvulus pluricaulis (CP) Choisy , syn; Convolvulus microphyllus Sieb
Family- Convulvulaceae syn;
Sankhaphuli is a potent memory booster and brain tonic that actively works to improve intelligence and functioning of the brain. The name shankhpushpi was given to the plant owing to its shankh or conch shaped flowers. It also helps in enhancing concentration, learning capabilities, mental fatigue, insomnia, stress, anxiety, depression, etc.Convolvulus pluricaulis is an herb found in India and Burma that is used in Ayurveda. The Ayurveda preparation shankapushpi is, according to most sources, identical with Convolvulus pluricaulis but some say shankapushpi is instead Clitoria ternatea.
Shankhpushpi is considered as “medhya rasayana” in ayurvedic texts.
Shankhpushpi is a perennial herb that seems like morning glory. Its branches are spread on the ground and can be more than 30 cm long. The flowers are blue in color (5 mm) and the leaves, which are elliptic in shape (2 mm), are located at alternate positions with branches or flowers. Known as Aloe weed in English, the herb is commonly found in India, especially in the state of Bihar.
Chemical composition-
There are various chemical constituents isolated from Shankhpushpi like Carbohydrates-D-
glucose, rhamnose, maltose, sucrose and starch. It also contains protein, amino acids and the
alkaloids-convolvine, convosine, subhirsine and convolvidine along with fatty acid and wax
constituents, hydrocarbons, aliphatic and sterol and certain other bio-chemicals
Benefits