Shankhpushpi Tea in the Evening
A small spoon of dried shankhpushpi steeped as an evening tea for a calm mind. Evidence is limited; not for pregnancy or with sedatives.
Important: this remedy is only a supportive home measure. Keep taking any medicine your doctor has prescribed, monitor your readings, and consult your doctor before adding anything new.
A traditional calming herb, with limited proof
Shankhpushpi is a small herb used in Ayurveda for a calm mind and memory, and it is sold dried for tea. Studies in people are few and small, so it cannot be called a sleep or anxiety treatment. As a warm, caffeine-free evening drink, it is a pleasant ritual.
Use one level teaspoon of the dried herb in a cup, for a few days at a time. Skip it in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and ask a doctor if you take sedatives, sleeping tablets, thyroid or diabetes medicines. Stop if you feel drowsy in the day or have stomach upset.
Ingredients
- 1 level teaspoon dried shankhpushpi
- 1 cup hot water
- A little honey (optional, not for babies)
How to prepare
- Pour hot water over the herb in a cup.
- Cover and steep for five minutes, then strain.
How to use
- Sip warm in the evening, for a few days at a time.
- Do not combine with sedatives without asking.
Helpful habits
- Buy from a reliable source with a batch label.
- Take a break after a week or two.
Precautions
- Skip it in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Ask a doctor with sedatives, sleeping tablets, thyroid or diabetes medicines.
- Not a treatment for insomnia or anxiety.
Frequently asked questions
Does shankhpushpi cure anxiety?
- No. Evidence is limited, and it is not a treatment.
Can I take it every day?
- Use it for a few days at a time and take breaks.
Is it the same as brahmi?
- No. They are different herbs, though both are used for a calm mind.
