5 Top Medicinal Uses Of Vishnukranthi (Evolvulus Alsinoides)

Many of you must have noticed this plant with its beautiful small purple flowers on the roadsides and wastelands if you are living in India. Its botanical name is Evolvulus alsinoides. It is called Vishnukranthi in Tamil, Vishnukrantha in Hindi, Slender Dwarf Morning Glory in English, and Vishnukranthamu in Telugu. This unassuming plant has wonderful health and hair care benefits.

What Is Vishnukranthi?

It is one among the three plants that are called shankhpushpi. The rest of the two plants are Clitoria Ternatea and Convolvulus Pluricaulis. These 3 plants are regarded very highly in Ayurveda. They are used together or separately for treating sleeplessness, anxiety, and stress. Vishnukranthi is mainly used as a home remedy for improving memory, reducing stress, treating fevers, promoting hair growth, and treating wounds.

Vishnukranthi Medicinal Uses:

1. For Fever: 

Vishnukranthi plant was traditionally used as a home remedy for treating fever by our elders. In the olden days, it was hard to get to the city for treatment quickly so herbal decoctions were first administered and vishnukranthi decoction is one such remedy, you can read the research that proves its antipyretic properties here.

2. For Memory: 

Another amazing property of vishnukranthi that many are not aware of is its ability to enhance memory. If anyone is asked to suggest a herb for improving memory, almost 99 % of the people will immediately reply valarai | Centealla Asiatica, it is that well-known for its use in improving memory but vishnukranthi is also equally effective in improving memory, you can read the research that proves it here.

3. For Stress: 

It is also an anti-stress herb that improves strength and vitality. Many of us don’t realize that stress is also one of the leading causes of many health problems. Though we can’t avoid stress completely, we can reduce it through mind relaxation techniques and herbs. Vishnukranthi tea is excellent for it, you can find the research proving its ability to reduce stress here.

4. Anti-Bacterial Properties:

Most of us resort to antibiotics to treat even small wounds but we can treat them easily with herbs like vishnukranthi as they have wonderful anti-bacterial properties. We can make a wound wash with the leaves by boiling them in water or we can pound the leaves and apply them as a poultice.

5. Vishnukranthi For Hair: 

Another surprising use of vishnukranthi is it greatly assists in hair growth and the astonishing thing is it can be equivalent to minoxidil in stimulating hair growth but minus the side effects. Traditionally vishnukranhti is added to hair oil preparations to stimulate hair growth, you can read the study that proves this traditional use here.

Vishnukranthi Side Effects:

It lowers blood pressure so people who have high blood pressure should take it under medical supervision. Pregnant women should be cautious as there is no study proving it is safe for them.

3 Top Ways Of Using Vishnukranthi For Hair & Health:

1. Plant Decoction: For Fever, Reducing Stress & Enhancing Memory

For treating fever, collect the whole plant and wash it well to remove any dirt and cut them into small pieces. Add a handful of tulsi leaves to them along with a cup of water and boil till it reduces in half and strain. This decoction also reduces stress. It is also a good tonic and can also be used as a remedy for diarrhea. The dosage is around 40 to 50 ml.

2. For Wounds:

Since this plant is found very commonly, if you have small cuts or bruises, just take a small plant, wash well and pound it in a mortar and pestle along with little water and apply the paste over the affected area. Tie it with a cloth till it dries completely. The pain and inflammation will greatly reduce.

3. For Hair Growth:

Vishnukranthi can be either made into a paste and applied as a hair pack or made into a hair oil. To make the hair oil, collect a plant, wash well, cut into small pieces and shade dry till there is no moisture left. Now add them to unrefined coconut oil and heat in medium flame till the sizzling sound stops which indicates that there is no moisture left. Let cool, strain and use it as a pre shampoo treatment.