whitewind Posted July 17, 2012 (edited) Genus: Convolvulus Species: pluricaulis, microphyllus Popular Name(s): SankhPushpi, Shankhini, Kambumalini, Samkhapushpi, Sankaphuli Parts Used: Entire plant and juice Habitat: Found in India and Burma Struggling to find an alkaloid content but it sounds interesting and is often used in conjunction with Ashwaganda, Brahmi and Gotu Kola. Wouldn't mind getting hold of some seeds if anyone knows where to ;) http://www.phytojour..._may_2012/4.pdf Shankpushpi is used traditionally to treat nervous debility, insomnia, fatigue, low energy level. The whole herb is used medicinally in the form of decoction with cumin and milk in fever, nervous debility, loss of memory. Convolvulus pluricaulis is used as a brain tonic. Is used as a tonic, alterative and febrifuge. It is a sovereign remedy in bowel complaints especially dysentery. The plant is reported to be a prominent memory improving drug. It is used as a psychostimulant and tranquilizer. It is reported to reduce mental tension. The ethanolic extract of the plant reduces total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids and nonesterfied fatty-acid. There is a pertinent reference in Ayurvedic literature about the use of the drug as brain tonic in hypotensive syndromes. The pharmacological studies of the herb have shown varying degree of its hypotensive and tranquilizing effects. Clinical studies have exhibited demonstrable beneficial effects in the patients of anxiety neurosis. The herb induces a feeling of calm and peace, good sleep and a relief in anxiety, stresses, mentalfatigue, producing a significant reduction in the level of anxiety, neuroticism arising due to various levels of stresses. The herb appears to produce its action by modulation of neurochemistry of the brain. Further, the herb is nontoxic and its use does not produce any side effects. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS Chemical studies of whole plant have shown the presence of glycosides, coumarins, flavonoids and alkaloids. Shankhapushpine, (the alkaloid) has been identified as active principle. B. sitosterol glycoside, Hydroxy Cinnamic acid, Octacosanol tetracosane along with glucose, sucrose also have been isolated from the plant drugs. http://www.herbsbene...s,+memory/25968 Certain multi herbal formulations that have Shankhapushpi or Convolvulus Pluricaulis, Centella Asiatica, Withania Somnifera or Ashwagandha, Bacopa Monnieri along with Glycyrrhiza Glabra or Licorice have higher efficacy to boost memory and improve concentration. The presence of Ashwagandha along with Shankhpushpi helps to control anger, fear and emotions. All these herbs have a “Rasayana” property; hence this memory enhancing formulation will help to boost energy levels also. http://blog.organici...he-joy-formula/ There are four herbs in this formula: There are 202 mg of the aerial portions of Bacopa/Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) with potent antioxidant polyphenols including the jujubogenin glycosides bacoside A, bacoside A3, bacopasides I to X and bacopasaponin C There are 45 mg of the aerial portions of Centella/Brahmi/GotuKola (Centella asiatica) with potent antioxidant Polyphenols like Flavanoids (quercetin, kaempferol, catechin and rutin) and Triterpenes/Saponins (asiaticosides, asiatic acid, madecassic acid) 30 mg of the whole herb of Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) with Alkaloids and Flavonoids There is 23 mg of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) with Alkaloids (Withanine) and Adaptogenic Triterpenoid Saponin (Withanolides, including many Withaferins). EDIT for typos Edited July 27, 2012 by whitewind 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
planthelper Posted July 18, 2012 (edited) nice one! sorry to sidetrack but ther might be a mistake with the defnition, mIcrophyllus, i think the correct term might be might be, microphyllus. hmm, your tag say's microphyllus aswell, nicely placed tags, btw! Edited July 18, 2012 by planthelper Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whitewind Posted July 27, 2012 nice one! sorry to sidetrack but ther might be a mistake with the defnition, mIcrophyllus, i think the correct term might be might be, microphyllus. hmm, your tag say's microphyllus aswell, nicely placed tags, btw! Fixed! It's fun hunting down these weird and wonderful plants, hope people are finding it interesting. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alchemica Posted March 18, 2013 Looks like an interesting plant Worth exploring for only $2/100g of dried material (locally). Anyone done much in the way of experimentation? Traditional Indian Herbs Convolvulus Pluricaulis and Its Medicinal Importance Convolvulus pluricaulisis an indigenous plant commonly mentioned in Ayurveda, as arasayana which is mainly advocated for use in mental stimulation and rejuvenation therapy. It is known as Shankhpushpi by Ayurvedic practitioners in ancient systems of Indian medicine as it was a prominent memory improving drug, a psychostimulant and tranquiliser in traditional Indian medicine. The plant contains several alkaloids, flavanoids and coumarins as active chemicals that bring about its biological effects. Little human research has been published in the Western medical literature regarding this plant. Preclinical (in vivo and vitro) investigations have demonstrated nootropic, anxiolytic, tranquillising, antidepressant, antistress, neurodegenerative, antiamnesic, antioxidant, hypolipidemic, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, insecticidal, antifungal, antibacterial, antidiabetic, antiulcer, anticatatonic and cardiovascular activity. Clinical studies of its polyherbal formulation justified its potential for the ancient claim of brain tonic. The present review is an attempt to compile information on various ethnomedical aspects of Convolvulus pluricaulis. As an antidepressant: "Chloroform fraction of total ethanolic extract of Convolvulus pluricaulis elicited a significant antidepressant-like effect in mice by interaction with adrenergic, dopaminergic and serotonergic systems." 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mindperformer Posted March 18, 2013 (edited) Convolvulus microphyllus / pluricaulis is often confused with Evolvulus alsinoides, wich also goes under the name Shankapushpi or Shankhpuspi. Evolvulus alsinoides also shares some actions, like the anxiolytic, anti-epileptic, antioxidant, brain tonic, and contains the alkaloids Evolvine (sympathomimetic activity like adrenaline), Betaine and Shankhapushpine. It was found to stimulate endorphine production and could help opiate withdrawal, but also benzodiazepine withdrawal to some degree. But cultured tissues of E.a. also reputedly accumulate ergot alkaloids like d-lysergic acid amides. The variety Evolvulus alsinoides var. sericeus has been chewed as a pituri-substitute in north-east S.A. I make a tea from the powdered leaves from time to time, very relaxing but clear-headed. Convolvulus microphyllus / pluricaulis showed potentiation of pentobarbitone-sleeping time, antiepileptic and antidepressant action, suppression of aggressive behaviour, antagonism to amphetamine toxicity and CNS depressant activity. It contains Convolvine (tropane alkaloid with sedative and nootropic action), Convolamine (an anesthetic), Phyllabine, some other alkaloids and Scopoletin. It was shown to enhance neuropeptide synthesis and potentiates the acetylcholine response. It is memory-improving, a tranquilizer and reduces mental tension. It was shown to interact with the adrenergic, dopaminergic and serotonergic systems. The extract is indeed sedative, a bit more than Evolvulus. Clitoria ternatea is also often put in this group and also shares some uses like the brain tonic... Edited March 18, 2013 by mindperformer 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
