Shankhpushpi
Convolvulus pluricaulis · शंखपुष्पी
Herbs & Roots. Ayurveda.
Also called Shankhpuspi, Dwarf morning glory
Sanskrit: शंखपुष्पी (Shankhpushpi)
Often mislabeled; little testedShankhpushpi is a small Indian herb used in Ayurveda to support memory and calm the mind, with very little human research.
Did you know? Its name means 'conch flower' in Sanskrit, because its blossoms are said to look like a conch shell.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Memory & focus. Traditional memory herb. Most evidence comes from lab and animal studies, with very few human trials.Traditional proof
- Sleep. Traditionally used for sleep and calm. Human data are thin.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
In Ayurveda, shankhpushpi is a medhya herb, meaning it supports memory and learning. It is also used for stress, sleep and mental fatigue.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Brain tonic, Nervine, Tonic. Energy: cooling.
- Ayurveda
- Calms Vata and Pitta. Taste (rasa): bitter, astringent. Energy (virya): cooling. After digestion (vipaka): sweet. Medhya (brain tonic), Rasayana (rejuvenative).
How people take it
Traditional doses are about 1 to 3 grams of dried herb a day, or a spoonful of syrup. There are no good dosing trials.
Powder, syrup and capsule.
Where to get it
A low, trailing plant of the warm plains of India and nearby areas. Sold as dried herb, powder, syrup and capsules, and other plants such as Evolvulus species are sometimes sold under the same name.
Be careful
Most people tolerate it, but there is little safety research. Mislabeled or mixed products can cause different effects than the herb studied. Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and use caution with sleep or anxiety medicines.
Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Classic Ayurvedic memory herbs that are often used together.
- Works well together
Both are traditional Ayurvedic herbs for calm and sleep.
- Works well together
Both are traditional memory herbs in the same classical lists.
- Worth knowingSleep or anxiety medicine (Ambien, Xanax, Ativan)
May add to the calming effects of sedatives. Human data are limited.
The honest take
Shankhpushpi is known mostly from tradition and lab work, and human trials are very few. Product mix-ups are common, so the bottle you buy may not be the herb that was studied. Use it only as a mild, short-term aid, not as a treatment for memory problems.