Introduction
Shankhpushpi is called Smriti Sudha. It is a type of grass which spreads more in summer. Washing the root of Shankhpushpi thoroughly, grinding its leaves, stalk, flowers, dissolving it in water, adding sugar candy, filtering and drinking it brings freshness and energy to the mind. Shankhpushpi plant is found on rocky ground in the forests of India. Shankhpushpi plant is about 1 foot tall. Its leaves are 1 to 4 centimeters long, with 3 veins, which when rubbed give out a smell like radish leaves. Shankhpushpi branches and stem are thin, covered with white hairs. Based on the flower variety, 3 species of Shankhpushpi are found with red, white and blue flowers. But only the Shankhpushpi with white flowers is considered best for medicinal use. It has 1-2 flowers of white or light pink colour with a fragrance similar to that of oleander flowers. The fruits are small, round, smooth, shiny brown in colour, from which brown or black coloured seeds come out. The root is as thick as a finger, wide and narrow, about 1 inch long.
Properties
According to Ayurveda: Shankhpushpi has a pungent juice, smooth, sweet in taste, cold in nature, destroys Vata, Pitta and Kapha, it gives glow to the face, intellect, strength, increases memory power, increases sharpness, eliminates defects of the brain. It eliminates hysteria, insomnia, lack of memory, insanity, epilepsy, diarrhea, stomach worms. Shankhpushpi is beneficial in leprosy, antidote, mental illness, spermatorrhea, high blood pressure, habit of urinating on the bed.
Treatment for various diseases
1. In epilepsy:
Consuming fresh Shankhpushpi panchaang (root, stem, fruit, flower, leaves) juice with 4 teaspoons of honey every morning and evening cures epilepsy in a few months.
2. Side effects caused by secretion of thyroid gland:
Mixing the powder of Shankhpushpi panchaang (root, stem, fruit, flower, leaves) with equal quantity of sugar candy and consuming it in the quantity of 1 teaspoon every morning and evening will be beneficial in increased heartbeat, tremor, nervousness, insomnia (sleeplessness).
3. Swarbhaang:
Chewing Shankhpushpi leaves and sucking its juice cures hoarseness and clear voice.
4. Piles:
Consuming 1 teaspoon Shankhpushpi powder 3 times a day with water for a few days cures piles.
5. For hair growth:
By boiling Shankhpushpi and making oil and applying it to hair daily, hair grows.
6. Insanity:
By consuming 20 ml of fresh Shankhpushpi Panchang (root, stem, fruit, flower, leaves) juice in the amount of 4 teaspoons daily, the disease of insanity is greatly reduced.
7. Muttering in fever:
Mix the powder of Shankhpushpi Panchang (root, stem, fruit, flower, leaves) and sugar candy and grind it. By consuming it in the amount of 1-1 teaspoon with water 2-3 times daily, the mental imbalance caused due to high fever is cured.
8. Bed Wetting Habit:
Mixing half a teaspoon of Shankhpushpi Panchang (root, stem, fruit, flower, leaves) powder in honey and giving it to children with half a cup of milk every morning and evening for 6 to 8 weeks helps children get rid of the habit of bed wetting.
9. Spermatorrhea:
Mixing half a teaspoon of black pepper and 1 teaspoon of Shankhpushpi Panchang (root, stem, fruit, flower, leaves) powder and consuming it with milk every morning and evening for a few weeks cures the disease of spermatorrhea.
10. To increase memory power:
Mix the same amount of sugar candy and 30 grams of black pepper powder in 200 grams of Shankhpushpi Panchang (root, stem, fruit, flower, leaves) powder and grind it. Consuming it in the quantity of one teaspoon every morning and evening with 1 cup of milk increases memory power (mental power).
11. High blood pressure:
Consuming 2-2 teaspoons decoction of Shankhpushpi's panchaang (root, stem, fruit, flower, leaves) every morning and evening gives relief from high blood pressure in a few days.
12. Hysteria:
Mix 100 grams of Shankhpushpi, 50 grams of Vacha and 50 grams of Brahmi and grind them. Taking it with honey in the amount of 1 teaspoon 3 times a day for a few weeks gives relief in hysteria.
13. For constipation:
Taking 10 to 20 ml of Shankhpushpi juice makes bowel movement clear.
Consuming 3 to 6 grams of Shankhpushpi root every morning and evening relieves constipation (stomach gas).
14. Weakness:
Consuming 10 to 20 ml of Shankhpushpi juice in the morning and evening removes weakness.
