Vishnukranti is the first among the Dashapushpams.
The plant sprouts out of the soaked earth with the monsoons and spreads across in open fields as meadows. Known as slender dwarf morning glory, the numerous tiny blue blooms are indeed a glory to watch. Poet William Wordsworth, if he had a chance to behold these flowers, definitely would have been enchanted by them, as he was with the daffodils.
The plant, an herb, botanically named Evolvulus alsinoides belongs to the plant family Convolvulaceae. It spreads on the ground horizontally and roots wherever the stem nodes touch the soil. The funnel shaped light blue flowers dot the silky haired shiny small oval leaves creating a mesmerising contrast of blue and green. The bright colour of the flowers attract the insects especially the butterflies and hence the name. Vishnukranti also means butterfly, which relates to the shape of the flower and its affinity towards the beautiful insects. Once pollinated, the seeds get dispersed by wind and await the first rains to germinate.
Vishnukranti is an effective psychotropic herb that reduces stress, anxiety, hyperactivity, depression and sleeplessness and induces calm, deep peaceful sleep. It is also a nootropic, which means it promotes, improves and maintains cognitive functions of the brain. It also has anti-poisonous properties and is helpful in krait bites that are common in rural areas at the start of the monsoon. The herb is also good for infectious fevers and is found to be beneficial in dengue fever. The therapeutic action of Vishnukranti is at the deeper tissue levels, more at the level of bone marrow and hence it is useful in chronic haemorrhagic conditions.
The change in season alters the total physiology and the natural immunity reaches the lowest limits. This is when we need DASHAPUSHPAM, the elite commando unit of ten herbs to enter our homes and protect us inside out.
If given singularly, Vishnukranti whole plant fresh juice, paste or infusion is used. Since it is a seasonal plant, the herb is dried and stored for various therapeutic purposes.
Vishnu is the god of maintenance and the plant which bears his name is capable of maintaining all round health. Vishnu supposedly teams up with gods Brahma and Shiva to create, sustain and destroy the creation. Likewise Vishnukranti teams up with nine other herbs to sustain creation during monsoon.
The plant is a nice attraction to your garden as well…….hurry up to create a bed of Dashapushpam this monsoon and be healthy enjoying the blue beauty of the slender dwarf morning glory…..
