Linn.Synonym: E. hirtus Lam. E. angustifolius 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 (blue- flowered var., Convolvus pluricaulis: white-flowered var.)Unani: Shankhaahuli.Siddha/Tamil: Vishnukrandi (blue-flowered), Shivakrandi (white-flowered).Action: Brain tonic, an aid in conception, astringent, antidysen- teric. 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 triacon- tane. The alkaloid evolvine exhibited powerful stimulant activity on respiration and blood pressure (possibly analeptic).Aqueous extract of the petal showed antifungal property.
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