Shankapushpi (Evolvulus alsinoides ) is a beautiful herb used extensively in Ayurveda and famous throughout India for its ability to increase mental capacity and intelligence. The flower is shaped as the conch giving some indication of its indicative power. It has a gentle bitter-sweet taste and the effect is cooling on the entire system. It has a special effect on the nervous system nourishing and balancing it throughout the body. It enters the micro channels in the mind (manovahasrotas) and has a anti-stress and nourishing effect on the entire mental system. Studies have shown how it improves mental capacity and helps with learning, retention and recall. It has an indirect effect on the reproductive system enhancing natural fertility.

The sage Charaka has listed Shankapushpi as the greatest tonic for increasing intelligence. In many extreme cases it has been used successfully for the treatment of autism, learning disorders and poor concentration and for students wishing to accelerate their capacity to retain and absorb new information. Yogis used it in Vedic times to study the Shastra.

It is a completely safe tonic which is prepared with jaggery giving it a refreshing cool sweetness. It should be in the home of every child in India to enhance ability to study as well as enhance creativity and meditative qualities.

It also has a secondary effect on the blood purifying it gently and thus is wonderful aid to all skin complaints as well as liver disorders. This is particularly true of stress related skin disorders.

Shankapushpi detoxifies and cools and has qualities that give natural balance to the climatic.

SPECIFIC ACTIONS:

Promotes intellectual capacity
Rejuvenative to the nervous tissue
Alleviates mental diseases and emotional instability
Aphrodisiac
Increases the strength of the digestive system
Laxative
Promotes sleep
Alleviates all three dosha

You can take the syrup as is a few tsp before meals otherwise use it as a lovely topping for your porridge or curd. It can also be taken with organic milk if you are taking dairy products. In summer time a lovely cooling refreshing drink can be made by adding a few tsp of Shankpushpi Syrup to your drinking water (make sure to used filtered and dynamised water if possible).