Evidence supporting the use of: Shankhpushpi
For the health condition: Stress
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) is widely used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine as a "medhya rasayana" (nootropic and rejuvenative) for supporting cognitive function and alleviating stress, anxiety, and mental fatigue. Ayurvedic texts such as Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita describe Shankhpushpi as a calming herb that helps balance the body's "Vata" and "Pitta" doshas, which are believed to be associated with mental stress and agitation. The herb is often prescribed in various formulations for its purported anxiolytic and adaptogenic properties, and it is a common ingredient in classical Ayurvedic preparations like Brahmi Vati and Saraswatarishta that target mental health.
In terms of scientific validation, a limited number of preclinical studies (mostly in animal models) suggest that Shankhpushpi extracts may have anxiolytic and anti-stress effects, possibly mediated through modulation of neurotransmitters such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and serotonin. However, robust clinical trials in humans are lacking, and the evidence is not strong enough to conclusively support its efficacy for stress relief from a modern medical perspective. Therefore, its use for stress is primarily justified by traditional knowledge rather than strong scientific evidence.
Other ingredients used for Stress
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)7-Keto-DHEA
acetyl l-carnitine
alpha-pinene
arjun tree
ashwagandha
asparagus
astragalus
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
bergamot
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
sesame
black tea
bonito peptide
bupleurum falcatum
California poppy
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
chamomile
cordyceps
curcumin
damiana
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
dong quai root
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fish protein
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gardenia
gotu kola
green tea
guayusa
heartwood
hibiscus
hops
jujube
kava root
kudzu
l-ornithine
l-taurine
l-theanine
l-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactium casein decapeptide
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus helveticus
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lavender
lentinula edodes mycelia
lion's mane
liquid liver fractions
maca
magnesium
magnolia
matcha
melatonin
mint
motherwort
muira puama
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
oat
passionflower
peppermint oil
perilla
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
pine bark
polygala root
pregnenolone
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
quail egg
relora® (proprietary)
rhodiola
rose oil
saffron
sceletium
black ginger
skullcap
spearmint leaf
spinach
valerian root
velvet bean
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
mulberry
whole adrenal glandular
zinc
sarsaparilla
suma
jiaogulan
catnip
cardamom
anise
fumaria parviflora
bee pollen
lingzhi
kanna
silk tree
oriental arborvitae
anemarrhena asphodeloides
St. John's Wort
yerba mate
noni
wood betony
biota seed
goji berry
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ashitaba
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Aralia
Arjuna
akebia
Antler
Agastache
Agrimony
Apigenin
Antrodia camphorata
Arginine aspartate
Albizia
Anserina
Agmatine
Agarwood
Alpha lactalbumin
Algal protein
Betony
Baikal Skullcap
Black spruce
Baccosides
Bacopin
Baicalein
Basidiomycota
Banyan
Brahmi
Bacopa
Buddha's Hand
Borage
banana
Bifidobacteria
Bupleurum
bacoside
Baicalin
Bird's nest
Centella triterpenes
Common Monkey Flower
Clary sage
Chinese Mountain Ant
Codonopsis
Coriander
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Chinese Fleeceflower
Chuchuhuasi
Cymbopogon Martini
Calea zacatechichi
Centella asiatica
Coca
Chocolate
Capitate Valerian
Corktree
Catuaba
C-Phycocyanin
cypress
Cowslip
Calamus
Cherimoya
Convolvulus prostratus
Corydalis
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
Celastrus
Canscora
Dismutase
Dodeca-2E, 4E-Dienoic Acid Isobutylamide
Dibenzo-alpha pyrones
Devil's Club
Date
Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/Etetraenoic Acid Isobutylamide
Eplotab
Erythrina
Emblicanin
Eurycoma Longifolia
Fish
Goldthread
Glycine
jasmine
Lotus
Mistletoe
Mimosa
Orchid
Poppy
Pistachio
Rose
Spikenard
yohimbine
Other health conditions supported by Shankhpushpi
Alzheimer's DiseaseAnxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Concentration (poor)
Dementia
Depression
Insomnia
Memory and Brain Function
Stress