Shankhapushpi: Benefits, Uses & Dosage

Shankha Pushpi (Evoluvus alsinoides) is one of the most important Ayurvedic nervines, often considered the best among the classical brain tonics including Brahmi, Calamus, and Jatamamsi. It has an astringent taste, warm virya, and sweet vipaka, and is tridoshic in nature (VPK=), making it suitable for all constitutional types.

As a nervine, sedative, and brain tonic, Shankha Pushpi acts primarily on the nerve tissue and the nervous and circulatory systems. It is excellent for nerve pain, particularly that owing to cold or debility. The herb improves memory, concentration, and perception, and aids in the rejuvenation of the mind by increasing circulation to the brain and stimulating higher cerebral functions, thereby improving overall intelligence and creativity.

Its key indications include nervous debility, mental or emotional exhaustion, epilepsy, insomnia, and insanity. Sarasvata churna, a powder prepared with this herb, is widely used for attention deficit disorder and helps prevent loss of memory. The herb is taken as a powder (250 mg to 1 gm) or as a decoction, with no noted precautions.

• Medhya: Promotes intellectual capacity
• Majja- dha-tu rasa-: yana
• Rejuvenative to the nervous: tissue
• Unma-daghna: Alleviates insanity and emotional instability
• Vr• s. ya: Aphrodisiac
• Pacanabala: Increases the strength of the digestive system
• Chedana: Laxative
• Nidra-janana: Promotes sleep
• Tridos.ahara: Alleviates all three dosa
• Biomedical: Nervine, sedative, antispasmodic, cephalic, digestive, laxa- tive, vulnerary, haemostatic, tonic

Contraindications: None known

Safety: No drug–herb interactions are known but caution with all sedative medication due to potential positive interactions.

Dosage: 2–10g per day dried or 3–15ml of a 1:5 @ 25% tincture. Chapter 6 PLANT PROFILES

Combinations:

• Vacha, brahmi, kushtha in epilepsy, nerve conditions; useful in speech impediment and to improve memory.
• Gokshura, coriander, fennel for digestive gurgling and swelling.
• Manjishtha, amalaki for bleeding.
• Ashwagandha, shatavari, safed musali, kapikacchu in infertility.
• Gotu kola, manjishtha, neem in skin disorders.