astringent, nervine tonic. Used in spermatorrhoea and sexual
affections (restrains seminal gleet) and debility.
Edible parts of the seeds gave the following values: moisture 12.8, protein 9.7, fat 0.1, mineral matter 0.5, carbohydrates 76.9, calcium 0.02, and phosphorus 0.09%; iron 1.4 mg/100 g.
256 Evolvulus alsinoides Linn.
Evolvulus alsinoides Linn.
Synonym E. hirtus Lam.
E. angustfolius Roxb.
Convolvulus alsinoides L.
Family Convolvulaceae.
Habitat Throughout India, as a common weed in open and grassy places; ascending to 2,000 m in the Himalayas.
Ayurvedic Shankapushpi (blueflowered var., Convolvus pluricaulis:
white-flowered var.)
Unani Shankhaahuli.
Siddha/Tamil Vishnukrandi (blue-flowered), Shivakrandi (white-flowered).
Action Brain tonic, an aid in conception, astringent, antidysenteric. Leaf—antiasthmatic. Used in nervine affections (epilepsy, insanity, spermatorrhoea), and duodenal ulcers, also for uterine affections. Flowers—used for uterine bleeding and internal haemorrhages. A decoction of the herb is given as a blood purifier.
The plant contains alkaloid evolvine, beta- sitosterol, stearic, oleic, linoleic acids, pentatriacontane and triacontane. The alkaloid evolvine exhibited powerful stimulant activity on respiration and blood pressure (possibly analeptic).
Aqueous extract of the petal showed antifungal property.
Evolvulus nummularius Linn.
Habitat A weed of grassy lawns.
Ayurvedic Aakhukarni,
Muusaakarni (substitute for
Merremia emarginata (Burm. f.)
Hallier f., synonym Ipomoea
renformis Choisy).
Folk Muusaakaani, Chhinipatra (Bihar).
