Shankhini — Canscora

Ayurvedic herb Shankhini (Canscora decussata) — Canscora. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Tikta, Virya Ushna, Vipaka Katu. Balances Vata, Pitta.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read
This content is for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional.

Canscora decussata is a nervine tonic similar to Shankhpushpi, used for improving memory and intellect.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaTiktaTikta (Bitter) — detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic
GunaLaghu, SnigdhaLaghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness; Snigdha (Oily/Unctuous) — moistening, nourishing
ViryaUshnaUshna (Hot) — heating, increases metabolism and Pitta
VipakaKatuKatu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
PrabhavaMedhya, VirechanaMedhya — intellect-promoting, enhances cognition; Virechana — purgative, therapeutic cleansing

Sanskrit Synonyms

In the classical Ayurvedic texts, Shankhini is known by the following Sanskrit names:

Dankuni, Yashasvini, Shankhapushpi bheda

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Shankhini are: panchanga.

Main Indications

Shankhini is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Agnimandya, Vibandha, Unmada, Apasmara, Manasavikara.

Dosha Effects

Shankhini pacifies Vata, Pitta.

It may aggravate Kapha when used in excess or in sensitive individuals.

Usage

Shankhini is used in classical Ayurvedic formulations. Consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for appropriate dosage and preparation based on your constitution (Prakriti) and current imbalance (Vikriti).

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

Source: Indian Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry And Therapeutics (IMPPAT) v1.0 — CC BY 4.0

Part UsedTherapeutic UseIdentifiersReferences
flowerNervous system diseasesMESH:D009422,UMLS:C0027765, DOID:863, ICD-11:8E7ZISBN:9788172361150
leafAnti-bacterial agentsMESH:D000900,UMLS:C0279516, ICD-11:XM8XH0ISBN:9770972795006
leafEpilepsyMESH:D004827,UMLS:C0014544, DOID:1826, ICD-11:8A6ZISBN:9770972795006
leafMental disordersMESH:D001523,UMLS:C0004936, ICD-11:6E8ZISBN:9770972795006
leafNervous system diseasesMESH:D009422,UMLS:C0027765, DOID:863, ICD-11:8E7ZISBN:9770972795006
whole plantAnticonvulsantsMESH:D000927,UMLS:C0003286, ICD-11:XM07T3ISBN:9770972795006
whole plantAntipyreticsMESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7ISBN:9770972795006
whole plantEdemaMESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1ISBN:9770972795006
whole plantEpilepsyMESH:D004827,UMLS:C0014544, DOID:1826, ICD-11:8A6ZMedicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
whole plantLaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361150
whole plantLeprosyMESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20ISBN:9770972795006
whole plantMemory disordersMESH:D008569,UMLS:C0025261ISBN:9770972795006
whole plantMental disordersMESH:D001523,UMLS:C0004936, ICD-11:6E8ZMedicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
whole plantNervous system diseasesMESH:D009422,UMLS:C0027765, DOID:863, ICD-11:8E7ZISBN:9770972795006, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
whole plantGeneral tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361150
whole plantSnake bitesMESH:D012909,UMLS:C0037379ISBN:9770972795006
whole plantUlcerMESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582ISBN:9770972795006
whole plantUrination disordersMESH:D014555,UMLS:C0042035, ICD-11:GB0YISBN:9770972795006
Abdominal painMESH:D015746,UMLS:C0000737, SYMP:0000457, ICD-11:MD81.4ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717024
AmnesiaMESH:D000647,UMLS:C0002622, DOID:10914, ICD-11:MB21.1ISBN:9788173717024
AnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:9788173717024
Anti-arrhythmia agentsMESH:D000889,UMLS:C0003195, ICD-11:BC9ZISBN:9770972795006
AnticonvulsantsMESH:D000927,UMLS:C0003286, ICD-11:XM07T3ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172360481
Anti-inflammatory agentsMESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375
Antitubercular agentsMESH:D000995,UMLS:C0003448, ICD-11:XM6DX3ISBN:9770972795006
AphrodisiacsMESH:D001046,UMLS:C0003567ISBN:9788173717024
Appetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9788173717024
AscitesMESH:D001201,UMLS:C0003962, ICD-11:ME04ISBN:9788173717024
AstheniaMESH:D001247,UMLS:C0004093, ICD-11:MG22ISBN:9788173717024
Cardiotonic agentsMESH:D002316,UMLS:C0007209, ICD-11:XM91S1ISBN:9770972795006
Central nervous system depressantsMESH:D002492,UMLS:C0007681, ICD-11:XM6QP4ISBN:9780387706375
DeliriumMESH:D003693,UMLS:C0011206, ICD-11:6D70ISBN:9770972795006
EmollientsMESH:D004643,UMLS:C0013983, ICD-11:XM1C59ISBN:9788173717024
EpilepsyMESH:D004827,UMLS:C0014544, DOID:1826, ICD-11:8A6ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717024
HypertensionMESH:D006973,UMLS:C0020538, DOID:10763, ICD-11:BA00.ZISBN:9770972795006
Hypnotics and sedativesMESH:D006993,UMLS:C0020592, ICD-11:XM3GR8ISBN:9770972795006
InfectionMESH:D007239,UMLS:C3714514, ICD-11:1H0ZISBN:9788173717024
Intestinal diseases, parasiticMESH:D007411,UMLS:C0021832, DOID:100, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9788173717024
LaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717024, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
LeprosyMESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20ISBN:9788173717024
Liver diseasesMESH:D008107,UMLS:C0023895, DOID:409, ICD-11:SA0ZISBN:9770972795006
Mental disordersMESH:D001523,UMLS:C0004936, ICD-11:6E8ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717024
Nervous system diseasesMESH:D009422,UMLS:C0027765, DOID:863, ICD-11:8E7ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717024
Nootropic agentsMESH:D018697,UMLS:C0242913ISBN:9788173717024
Oral ulcerMESH:D019226,UMLS:C0149745, ICD-11:DA01.15ISBN:9770972795006
General tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717024, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
Skin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9788173717024
Spermatocidal agentsMESH:D013089,UMLS:C0037862ISBN:9770972795006
TuberculosisMESH:D014376,UMLS:C0041296, DOID:399, ICD-11:1B1ZISBN:9788173717024
Tuberculosis, lymph nodeMESH:D014388,UMLS:C0041316, DOID:4889, ICD-11:1B12.6ISBN:9788172361150
UlcerMESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582ISBN:9788173717024
VitiligoMESH:D014820,UMLS:C0042900, DOID:12306, ICD-11:ED63.0ISBN:9788173717024
Wound healingMESH:D014945,UMLS:C0043240ISBN:9788173717024