Scribing Nature's Remedies: A Literary Exploration of Shankhpushpi's Role in Traditional Medicine and Its Cultural Significance

The Convolvulaceae family includes Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus Clericalism). Shankhpushpi plants are rich in carbohydrates like L-monomethylate, malt sugar (maltose), sucrose, and starch. They also contain proteins, α-amino [alpha-amino] carboxylic acid, and several alkaloids such as C16H21NO4 (convolving), C17H23NO4 (convoluting), C17H21NO5 (confine), C33H40N2O9 (submissive), C16H21NO5 (convolute), congocidine, phyllaries, β-sitosterol, Convoking, and consolidate. Additionally, there are fatty acids, waxes, hydrocarbons, and other biochemicals that make it suitable for treating human diseases. The whole Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus Clericalism) plant has various pharmacological properties, such as antidepressant and antidiabetic effects, plus it influences memory and learning. It affects the thyroid gland, acts on the cardiovascular system, and shows anticonvulsant, antiulcer, and anticatatonic activities. It also exhibits insecticidal, antifungal, antibacterial, anthelminthic, anti-hyperlipidemic, neuroprotective, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects on the reproductive system. This review critically examines the synonyms, taxonomy, description, identity, purity, strength, chemical constituents, pharmaceutical activities, and applications of Shankhpushpi.