Medicinal herbs of Chhattisgarh, India having less known traditional uses. XXVII. Shankhpushpi : (Evolvulus alsinoides; family : Convolvulaceae

Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia
© 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved

Shankhpushpi is one of the popular herbs used as brain tonic and memory enhancer. Many leading pharmaceutical companies of India, prepare formulations using Shankhpushpi. In these formulations they use Shankhpushpi alone or in combination with other herbs. The natives of India have deep faith in this herb. And from childhood they give Shankhpushpi based herbal populations to their children in order to enhance the memory power. In Chhattisgarh, Shankhpushpi occurs as wasteland plant. Although for agriculture scientists it is harmful weed that compete with agricultural crops for light, moisture and food but for the natives and traditional healers, it is valuable herb. Every year the herb collectors collect tons of Shankhpushpi herb and after shade drying supply it to the traders at state level. This is good
thing that the buyers at national and international levels are aware of its natural occurrence in Chhattisgarh and according to them, in terms of quality and medicinal value, the Shankhpushpi of Chhattisgarh is better than the Shankhpushpi of other states. This herb is in the list of non-wood forest produces of Chhattisgarh having regular demand. Although Shankhpushpi occurs as wasteland plant (i.e. in abundance), but the adulteration of other herbs in Shankhpushpi is common and according to the traders most of the pharmaceutical companies use it as such without sorting out the adulteration. This is the reason that the formulations prepared by the traditional healers using fresh herb acts more quickly and effectively as compared to the formulations available in attractive packets. In my allelopathic studies, I have found the extracts and leachates of whole herb of Shankhpushpi effective in promoting the growth of petrocrop Ratanjot (Jatropha curcas). It also hasten the germination and initial seedling vigour. This is very sad that considering this useful herb as crop weed, many research organisations in Chhattisgarh are engaged in evaluation of effective weedicides.

I personally feel that these evaluations are mere wastage of money, time and effort. Many herb growers unaware of this natural occurrence are trying to cultivate this herb commercially. For cultivation they are selecting good soil and using growth promoters. In nature, Shankhpushpi grows in poor soils. The cultivation in good soil increases the production but from quality point of view, the produce is inferior. The detailed package of practice for commercial cultivation has yet not been developed. Seeing the encouraging allelopathic effects of Shankhpushpi on Jatropha, we are trying Shankhpushpi - Jatropha intercropping in small plots at different agroclimatic locations of Chhattisgarh. We are also studying the allelopathic effects of Jatropha on Shankhpushpi. The Shankhpushpi - Jatropha intercropping is never tried earlier in any part of the world. I will write more on this unique intercropping, in my future articles after completion of trials. Botanically, Shankhpushpi is perennial herb with woody rootstock; stems many, more than 5cm long, prostrate, spreading, wiry, usually clothed with long hairs; Leaves many, elliptic-oblong, base acute, silky hairy; Flowers light blue (It is also known as Nilpushpi, Nil-blue; Pushp --- flower), solitary or sometimes 2, peduncles very long, axillary; Fruits capsule, globose, thin, four - valved; Seeds glabrous; Flowering time July-November. As medicine whole plant is used.
According to Ayurveda, Shankhpushpi is bitter, pungent, alexiteric, alternative, tonic, anthelmintic, brightens intellect, improves complex, increase appetite, useful in bronchitis,
biliousness, epilepsy, leucoderma and teething troubles of infants etc.

On the basis of flower colours, three types of Shankhpushpi are described in reference literatures viz. Red, white and blue. According to reference literatures, white flowered Shankhpushpi is most powerful and genuine. But for the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh, blue flowered Shankhpushpi is the best one. They give second preference to red flowered type and least preference to white flowered type. I personally feel that there is a need for scientific evaluation. The herb collectors are not aware of these specifications and they collect all types of Shankhpushpi for sell. Through my ethnobotanical surveys in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have identified about 45 traditional healers specialised in use of Shankhpushpi as medicine. As memory enhancer they use Shankhpushpi with Kali Mirch and sugar. According to the healers, its regular use gives desirable effects in very short time. Beside memory enhancer, the healers also use this herb in treatment of respiratory troubles. They prepare herbal cigarettes using this herb. According to them , the use of this herbal cigarettes is much beneficial in case of asthma and bronchitis. In treatment of chronic cases, they use other herbs like Blumea, Adhatoda, Datura etc. in this herbal cigarette. I interviewed many patients taking this treatment. They were
satisfied with the effects of these cigarettes. The healers of Chhattisgarh plains, use this herb internally in treatment of insanity and epilepsy. The juice of fresh herb is given daily to
the patients till complete cure. It is also good for chronic constipation. In treatment of hysteria, the healers use Shankhpushpi in combination with other herbs mainly Bach (Acorus calamus), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) etc. It is considered as good female tonic.

Chhattisgarh forests are fulfilling the national and international demand but this is bitter fact that there is not a single pharmaceutical unit in Chhattisgarh engaged in processing of this herb. There is a tremendous scope in this field. Recently during my visit to Kondagaon region, I got information from healers that the Shankhpushpi herb growing under specific trees in natural forests, possess specific medicinal properties. I have fixed my visit to dense forests with these healers to get more information on this unique aspect. I will write about it in my upcoming articles.

Thank you very much for reading the article.