-IBIS-1.7.0-
rx
herb
Vinca spp. (Periwinkle)
Botanicals

definition

botanical name(s): Vinca major, Vinca minor, Vinca pubescens

synonyms: periwinkle, sinngrun, pervenche, pervinca, pervince, maagdepalm, kucuk

part(s) used: herb

qualities:

affinities: uterus, respiratory mucosa

actions: astringent, antihemorrhagic

dosage:

» tincture: 2 - 4 ml.

therapy: menorrhagia and leukorrhea, nose bleeds, mouth ulcers and sore throats

AHPA Botanical Safety Rating (V. minor): 2d

toxicity: V. major: 2, V. minor: 0

» contraindicated during pregnancy (Brinker, p. 105)

» V. minor contraindicated in hypotension and in constipation (McGuffin)

» alkaloids in Vinca major make this species a potential carcinogen and teratogen (Duke, pp. 105-107; Keeler and Tu, pp. 165-166, 262; Taylor and Farnsworth, Brinker)

» long-term use may result in ataxia, depilation, tingling of the skin, burning sensations, and muscle deterioration (Duke, pp. 105-107)

» the cytotoxic dimeric alkaloids present in the Madagascar Periwinkle, Cantharanthus roseus (Vinca rosea), which are used to treat certain types of cancer, have not been found in Vinca major

constituents: indole alkaloids, tannins

footnotes

Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.

Keeler, R.F., and Tu, A.T. 1983. Handbook of Natural Toxins. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.

McGuffin, Michael, ed. 1997. American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: The CRC Press.

Taylor, W.I., Farnsworth, N.R. 1975. The Catharanthus Alkaloids. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.