Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis)

Ingredient context

Shankhpushpi is the most traditionally weighted ingredient in CALM, and we want to represent that honestly rather than inflate it. Ayurvedic pharmacology attributes it strong anxiolytic, nootropic and calming properties, and it is used across classical formulations for stress, mental fatigue and sleeplessness.

Evidence context

The available scientific literature, however, remains largely preclinical: animal studies and in-vitro work on its phytoconstituents, including scopoletin, quercetin and kaempferol, demonstrate antioxidant and neuroprotective mechanisms that would plausibly support calming and cognitive effects. A dedicated review from the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation notes directly that human data from well-controlled, rigorously designed clinical trials are still lacking for this herb. We include Shankhpushpi for its long classical use as a nervine tonic and its favourable traditional safety record, not on the strength of robust modern human trials, and we think that distinction is worth stating outright.