Abstract

A CONCEPTUAL STUDY OF CONVOLVULUS PLURICAULIS CHOIS

Dr. Romesh Kumar Jaiswal*, Dr. Manisha Dikshit, Dr. Ramesh Chandra Tiwari, Dr. Anoop Kumar Singh and Dr. Ved Bhushan Sharma

ABSTRACT

Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus Pluricaulis – Family Convulvulaceae) is an indigenous and very significant herb which is considered as a gift of nature in Ayurveda. It is a medicinal plant which is perennial prostrates or sub erect spreading hairy herb 10-30 cm long with simple and alternate leaves that seems like morning glory. In Ayurvedic literature, Shankhpushpi is considered as Medhya rasayana means it enhances the knowledge, memory and retaining power of a person. In our ayurvedic literatures some medicines are categorized under Medhya rasayana, Shankhpushpi is one of them, but in our Nighantus such as Bhava Prakash, Kaideva and Dhanavantari Nighantus considered as it also have Vishaghna property. Shankhpushpi having Properties that are mentioned in our Ayurvedic texts as Tikta rasa, snigdha & picchila guna, sheeta virya and madhur vipaka. Besides C. pluricaulis, Evolvulus alsinoides Linn, Clitoria ternatea Linn and Canscora decussata Schult are also considered as Shankhpushpi in different parts of the our country. Studies on this plant showed maximum memory-enhancing activity and Anti-convulsive activity. It is an effort of scholar to disclose hidden facts about wonderful drug Shankhpushpi.

Keywords: Shankhpushpi, Medhya rasayana,Vishaghna.