Madagascar Periwinkle

File:Catharanthus roseus.jpg

Other Names : Catharanthus roseus, Vinca major, bright eyes, Cape periwinkle, graveyard plant, old maid, pink periwinkle, rose periwinkle, rosy periwinkle, Zhang Chun Hua, Evergreen, Early-flowering
See also :

• Zhang Chun Hua
• Lesser Periwinkle

Special Precautions of Madagascar Periwinkle

• In Italy the rosy periwinkle was traditionally referred to as the “Flower of Death.” This is due to the extreme toxicity of the flower and the whole plant. While rosy periwinkle is a valuable medicine, it is also extremely poisonous. Consumption of the plant, other than in small amounts, can be fatal. It Contains a group of alkaloids including vinchristine and vinblastine both of which are used in chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is, of course, controlled poisoning.
• Excess results in hypotension, low blood pressure, which can cause collapse.

Health benefits and Uses of Madagascar Periwinkle

• Ayurveda :
  • Traditional uses have included: cancer, diabetes and ocular inflammation.
  • Its main use is in the treatment of excessive menstrual flow, either during the period itself or with blood loss between periods.
  • A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh leaves; it is used in the treatment of haemorrhages.
  • It contains the alkaloid "vincamine", which is used by the pharmaceutical industry as a cerebral stimulant and vasodilator.
  • It can be used in digestive problems such as colitis or diarrhoea where it will act to reduce the loss of fluid or blood whilst toning the membranes.
  • It may also be used in cases of nose bleed, bleeding gums, mouth ulcers or sore throats.
  • Made into an ointment, useful for piles and inflammatory conditions of the skin.
  • Periwinkle contains "reserpine", which reduces high blood pressure.
  • It was used as a folk remedy for diabetes and the juice from the leaves was used to treat wasp stings.
  • The plant was boiled to make a poultice to stop bleeding.
  • It was used as a homemade cold remedy to ease lung congestion and inflammation and sore throats.
  • An extract from the flowers was used to make a solution to treat eye irritation and infections.
• In traditional Chinese medicine, extracts from it have been used against numerous diseases, including diabetes, malaria, and Hodgkin's lymphoma. (See : Zhang Chun Hua)
• Many of the vinca alkaloids were first isolated from Catharanthus roseus, including vinblastine and vincristine used in the treatment of leukemia and Hodgkin's lymphoma.

References

• van Der Heijden, Robert; Jacobs, Denise I.; Snoeijer, Wim; Hallard, Didier; Verpoorte, Robert (2004). "The Catharanthus alkaloids: Pharmacognosy and biotechnology". Current Medicinal Chemistry. 11 (5): 607–628. doi:10.2174/0929867043455846. PMID 15032608.