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 Associations Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: The CRC Press.
Taylor, W.I., Farnsworth, N.R. 1975. The Catharanthus Alkaloids. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.