Vishnukranthi (Evolvulus alsinoides) Information, Benefits and Uses

A flower in dhashapushppa

Learn what are health benefits and medicinal uses of Vishnukranthi plant. Learn how to use this plant to treat diseases like sleeplessness, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and in syphilis. Know about it’s botanical description, medicinal properties and side-effects.

Shankhpushpi is brain tonic, and primarily used for improving brain functions. In Sanskrit, Shankhpushpi means the plant with flowers shaped like a conch or Shankha, and there are the mainly three such plant species which have Conch shaped flowers, and similar nootropic activities. All of the three are used as Shankhapushpi in preparation of various medicines either singly or in combination. These three plant are Clitoria ternatea, Convolvulus pluricaulis, and Evolvulus alsinoides.

In a study, done on rats the alcoholic extract of Evolvulus alsinoides exhibits a potentially superior nootropic effect as compared to alcoholic extract of convolvulus pluricaulis.

General Information

It is prostrate, much branched herb with small woody rootstock. The stem is spreading, wiry, hairy more than 30 cm long. Leaves are numerous, oblong-elliptic or lanceolate, 1.0-3.5 x 0.3-1.0 cm, obtuse at apex, densely covered with appressed silky hairs, petioles is short.

Flowers are light-blue, solitary, axillary, bracts lanceolate. Sepals are 4, lanceolate, densely silky. Corolla is funnel shaped. They are pollinated by insects. Seeds are dispersed by wind. Capsules are globose, 3-4 mm long, 4-valved. Seeds are usually 4, glabrous.

Scientific Classification

The botanical name of Vishnukraanti / Sankhahuli is Evolvulus alsinoides. The genus name comes from the Latin word “evolvulus” meaning “to unroll”, and is referring to the species nonvining habit. It belongs to plant family Convolvulaceae. Below is given taxonomical classification of the plant.

• Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
• Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
• Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
• Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
• Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
• Subclass: Asteridae
• Order: Solanales
• Family: Convolvulaceae – Morning-glory family
• Genus: Evolvulus L. – dwarf morning-glory P
• Species: Evolvulus alsinoides (L.) L. – slender dwarf morning-glory P

Variety:

• Evolvulus alsinoides (L.) L. var. angustifolius Torr. – slender dwarf morning-glory P
• Evolvulus alsinoides (L.) L. var. debilis (Kunth) van Ooststr. – slender dwarf morning-glory

Part(s) used for medicinal purpose: Whole plant, and Leaves

Plant type: herb

Distribution: Open-grassy places, preferably well drained soil

Habitat: Throughout India

Flowering and Fruiting: July-November

Vernacular Names

• Sanskrit: Vishnukranta, Laghu vishnukrantha
• Hindi: Sankhapushpi, Vishnukranta,Shyamakranta
• Kannada: Vishnukranti, Shankha vaelu, Vishnugranthi soppu
• Telugu: Vishnukraanthamu, Nalla Vishnukraantha
• Tamil: Vishnukranthi, Vishnukarandi
• English: Common evolvulus, Slender dwarf morning glory

The Dosage of Vishnukranta

• Juice of whole plant: 20-30 ml
• Whole plant Dried Powder: 3-6 gm
• Cold infusion / Phanta of the plant: 40-60ml

Constituents of Evolvulus alsinoides

Alkaloid; Evolvin, Betaine, Sterols, Proteins, Carbohydrates, Phenols compounds, Tannin.

Ayurvedic Properties, and Action

It is astringent, bitter, and pungent in taste (rasa), sweet after digestion (vipaka), and is cool in effect (virya). This herb works on the nerves, plasma, and reproductive system. It helps in mental, nervous, excretory, and reproductive disorders.

It balances Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. It is a Sheet Virya herb, and gives nourishment to the body, and steadiness. It supports the building of the body fluids.

• Rasa (taste on the tongue): Kashaya (Astringent), Katu (Pungent), Tikta (Bitter)
• Guna (Pharmacological Action): Laghu (Light), Snigdha (Unctuous)
• Virya (Action): Sita (Cooling),
• Vipaka (transformed state after digestion): Madhura (Sweet)

Action

• Tridoshhara (Alleviates three dosha Vata, Pitta, Kapha)
• Medya (tonic for the brain)
• Majja dhatu Rasayan (Rejuventes nervous system)
• Vajikarak or aphrodisiac (increase sexual power)
• Chedan (discharges from the body adherent phlegm or other humours)
• Nidrajanan (Promotes sleep)

Important Medicinal Properties

Vishnukranti is rich in medicinal properties. The understanding of these properties will help us to better utilize this herb. It promotes intelligence, enhance memory, and retention, reduces stress, anxiety, depression, confusion, and induces peaceful sleep.

Below is given medicinal properties along with the meaning.

1. Anti-stress: relaxes mind.
2. Antidepressant: alleviates depression.
3. Anxiolytic: reduces anxiety.
4. Analgesic: relieves pain.
5. Neuroleptic: reduce nervous tension by depressing nerve functions.
6. Immunomodulatory: modifies the immune response or the functioning of the immune system.
7. Nootropic: enhance memory or other cognitive functions.
8. Nervine: calm the nerves.
9. Psychostimulant: antidepressant or mood-elevating action.
10. Sedative: calming or sleep-inducing effect.

Health Benefits of Vishnukranta

1. It is one of the psychotropic drugs that cures nervous debility, and dementia.
2. It treats disorders of nervous system.
3. It gives relief in anxiety, depression, pain, insomnia, epilepsy, and fits.
4. It reduces stress.
5. It detoxifies body.
6. It helps in digestive impairment due to nervousness.
7. It has laxative action.
8. It has aphrodisiac action, and strengthens reproductive system.
9. It is one of the best herbs used as a general tonic, and rejuvenative.

Medicinal Uses of Vishnukraanti

Vishnukraanti / Shankhapushpi / Morning Glory, plant is used in Ayurveda, and Unani system of medicine to treat mental disorders, nervous weakness, insomnia, fever, cough, asthma, and skin diseases. It helps is a general Tonic, and gives good health.

For cold, and cough, the decoction of roots, is given thrice a day for three days.

In fever, with digestive disorder, its decoction with Tulsi leaves juice is given.

In chronic bronchitis, and asthma, the leaves are made in to cigarettes, and smoked.

As a general tonic, the decoction of the plant are used.

For cuts, ulcers, the paste of whole plant is applied externally to stop bleeding.

In toothache, the paste of the plant are applied on the affected teeth

The root powder is used to improve libido.

For hair growth, the leaf paste is applied 30 minutes before bath for 1 month.

The oil containing, Shankhapushpi is used to promote hair growth, and as hair tonic. Massaging with this oil strengthens hair, and reduces stress.

There are no known side-effects of this herb.

In nervous, and brain disorders, memory loss, low I.Q., mental retardness, the dried powder of the plant are given in a dose of 3-6 grams or 10 grams of fresh paste is taken along with the cow’s milk for 1 month at bedtime.