The Nature LibraryEN·ES
← The ApothecaryConvolvulaceaewhole plant, aerial parts, rootsFact-checked 24 October 2026

Shankhpushpi

Convolvulus prostratus

Also calledShankhapushpi (Sanskrit)

In older monographsConvolvulus pluricaulis, Convolvulus microphyllus

A small, hairy, spreading herb found throughout India, Shankhpushpi is one of the classical Ayurvedic medhya rasayanas, herbs taken to sharpen memory and intellect, and is used for anxiety, sleeplessness and epilepsy. Its effects on memory, anxiety and mood rest on animal studies; the only controlled human trial found was a small pilot study in menopausal women without a placebo. The Sanskrit name is applied to several different plants in the market.

What it is used for

  • Classed in Ayurveda as medhya (intellect-promoting). In rats, root extract inhibited acetylcholinesterase and showed antioxidant effects in scopolamine-induced memory impairment; reviews of the plant cite memory-enhancing and anti-Alzheimer effects mainly from animal and cell studies. No adequate human trials found.1,2,3

  • Used in Ayurvedic formulations for anxiety. Ethanolic and chloroform extracts (200 mg/kg) had anxiolytic effects in mice in the elevated plus maze. Animal data only.1,7

  • A chloroform fraction showed antidepressant-like effects in mice (forced swim test), apparently via adrenergic, dopaminergic and serotonergic systems. Animal data only.1

  • Menopause
    Limited

    In a randomised pilot trial in 30 women with menopausal symptoms after hysterectomy, 6 g of powder twice daily for 45 days improved menopause rating scores, quality of life and anxiety about as much as shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) powder; there was no placebo group and no adverse effects were reported.4

  • Sleeplessness
    Traditional

    Used in Ayurvedic formulations for sleeplessness; extracts lengthened barbiturate-induced sleeping time in rats.1,7

  • Charaka used the white-flowered Shankhpushpi with brahmi juice, vacha and kushtha for insanity and epilepsy; anticonvulsant effects have been reported in animals.1,3,7

How it is prepared

powder

Dried whole-plant powder taken with lukewarm water after food.

Pilot trial (Budihal 2026): 6 g twice daily for 45 days.

Menopause

fresh plant

Kulkarni et al. give the recommended therapeutic form as a fine paste of the whole plant.

Memory and cognition

syrup

Commercial Shankhpushpi syrups, tablets and churnas (powders) are sold in India.

Memory and cognition · Anxiety and nervous tension

Amounts are as recorded by the named source, not a recommendation.

Safety

Pregnancy
Insufficient data
Breastfeeding
Insufficient data

Interactions with medicines

  • sedatives (e.g. barbiturates)MinorExtracts prolonged barbiturate-induced sleep in rats; additive drowsiness is possible.
Interaction checker →

Toxicity

Leaf extracts caused no toxicity or behavioural change in rats at oral doses up to 5,000 mg/kg. In the 45-day pilot trial no adverse effects were reported. Long-term human safety data are lacking.

In the healing traditions

  • Ayurveda

    Shankhpushpi

    One of the four medhya rasayanas (with mandukaparni, yashtimadhu and guduchi), used alone or in combinations to improve memory and intellect; described in classical texts as sara (laxative), medhya (nootropic), vrsya (aphrodisiac) and rasayana (rejuvenator); used for chronic cough, sleeplessness, epilepsy, hallucinations and anxiety. A shoot decoction is a folk remedy for anaemia and weakness.

    Charaka Samhita; Chakradatta, Chikitsasangraha; Kaideva Nighantu

  • Modern pharmacology

    Convolvulus prostratus extracts

    Studied in animals for anticholinesterase, anxiolytic, antidepressant, sedative, analgesic and neuroprotective effects; sold in India as powders, syrups and tablets.

Active compounds

convolamine
alkaloid named among the key bioactive constituents
scopoletin
coumarin; a TLC marker that helps distinguish C. pluricaulis from other plants sold as Shankhpushpi
4'-methoxy kaempferol, 7-methoxy quercetin, β-sitosterol, hydroxycinnamic acid
flavonoids, sterol and phenolic acid that, with convolamine and scopoletin, are credited with the nootropic activity

History

Shankhpushpi is one of the four classical medhya rasayanas of Ayurveda. Charaka paired its white-flowered form with brahmi, vacha and kushtha for insanity and epilepsy, and later works such as Chakradatta's Chikitsasangraha and the Kaideva Nighantu repeat the use.

Sources

  1. 1.Balkrishna A et al. Phytochemical profile, pharmacological attributes and medicinal properties of Convolvulus prostratus – a cognitive enhancer herb. Front Pharmacol 2020
  2. 2.Kulkarni R et al. Nootropic herbs (Medhya Rasayana) in Ayurveda: an update. Pharmacogn Rev 2012
  3. 3.Sharma R et al. Role of Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) in neurological disorders: an umbrella review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022 (abstract)
  4. 4.Budihal DS et al. Efficacy of Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) in posthysterectomy menopausal syndrome: a randomized controlled pilot clinical trial. J Midlife Health 2026
  5. 5.Sethiya NK et al. Antioxidant markers based TLC-DPPH differentiation on four commercialized botanical sources of Shankhpushpi. J Adv Pharm Technol Res 2013 (abstract)
  6. 6.GBIF: Convolvulus prostratus Forssk. (synonym Convolvulus pluricaulis Wall. ex Choisy)
  7. 7.Agarwa P et al. An update on Ayurvedic herb Convolvulus pluricaulis Choisy. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 2014 (abstract)

Reference, not prescription. Nothing here is medical advice. Herbs can interact with medicines and be dangerous in pregnancy; tell your doctor or pharmacist about anything you take.