The root, leaves, and different extracts of the plant exhibit many pharmacological properties. The plant is reported with adaptogenic, hypoglycemic, anti-amoebic and immunomodulant activity. It possesses potent anti-fibrinolytic, anti-inflammatory properties and has demonstrated reduction of IUCD-induced menorrhagia in experimental animals. Punarnavoside is an anti-fibrinolytic agent and liridodendron and hypoxanthine-9-arabinofuranoside are antihypertensive agents (calcium channel blocker). It’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic property is comparable to that of ibuprofen. Being a diuretic, refrigerant, and anti-spasmodic, it helps maintain efficient kidney function. It is also a useful haematinic. The plant extracts are attributed with hepatoprotective activity and is effective in cases of oedema and ascites resulting form early cirrhosis of liver and peritonitis. The plant extract has shown differential effects on the GABA levels in various lesions of the brain in experimental rats.

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Ayurvedic—Punarnavastaka kvatha curna, punarnavasava, punarnavadi mandura, sukumara ghrta, sathanaghnalepa Proprietary products—Diabecon, Geriforte, Bonnisan, Evecare, V-Gel, Lukol, Chyawanaprasha, Immunol, Digyton, etc.

Shankapushpi

Shankapushpi refers to Convolvulus microphyllus Sieb ex. Spreng, Family: Convolvulaceae according to the ayurvedic dictionary and the Ayurvedic Formulary of India.

Synonym

C. pluricaulis Choisy

In Kerala, however, shanka pushpi refers to Clitorea ternata (Family: Papilionaceae) in all medicinal preparations. In Karnataka and Konkan regions, aerial parts of Canscora decussata, (Family: Gentianaceae) are used as a substitute for shankapushpi. Evolvulus alsinoides (Convolvulaceae) is also mentioned as a substitute for shankapushpi

In general the whole plant is used in the preparation of indigenous medicine.

Common vernacular names

English: Aloe weed

Sanskrit: Vishnukranthi

Hindi: Sankapuspi

Tamil: Visnukarandi

Telugu: Vishnukaranta