Periwinkle/ Vinca or Sadabahar is an erect herbaceous perennial ornamental and medicinal plant which can be easily seen in gardens, wastelands and roadsides. It is easily identified by its purple/white flowers and green leaves.
This plant is native of Madagascar and is distributed in West Indies, Mozambique, South Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Philippines and Australia. In India, it is cultivated in the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Assam.
This plant is mainly available in two varieties, one with pink and other with white flowers. Its leaves are glossy, oval and dark green in colour. This plant contains Alkaloids which have hypotensive, sedative, tranquilising and anti-cancerous properties.
| Latin name: Catharanthus roseus Synonym: Vinca rosea L., Lochnera rosea (L.) Reichub Family: Apocynaceae. Sanskrit: Nitya-kalyani English: Madagascar Periwinkle, Cape Periwinkle, Rose Periwinkle, Rosy Periwinkle, Old maid Hindi: Sadabahar, Baramassi Malyalam: Ushamalari, Nityakalyani | Telugu: Billaganeru Tamil: Sudukattu mallikai Punjabi: Rattanjot Kannada: Kasikanigale, Nitya Mallige Common names: Sada-bahaar, Nayantaaraa, Nityakalyaani Part used: Leaves, roots |
Periwinkle has following scientifically proven properties.
- Hypoglycaemic
- Diuretic, anti-dysenteric
- Antimicrobial, antioxidant, anthelmintic
- Anti-cancer
In traditional medicine it is used to treat diabetes. For this purpose it 4-5 leaves or 7 flowers are taken empty stomach in the morning with water. Its leaves juice are useful in treating insect sting. The leaves are also used to prepare gargle to get relief from sore throat. The decoction of its leaves is used to cure indigestion. The leaves Periwinkle contain alkaloids vinblastine and vincristine which have anti-cancerous properties. Its roots have alkaloid raubasine (ajmalicine), reserpine and serpentine which is used in the preparation of antifibrotic (inhibit fibrosis) and hypertension lowering medicines. The root of plant is tonic, stomachic, hypotensive, sedative and tranquilliser.
Note: Do not use more than 4-5 leaves or 7 flower’s because it can cause some side effects.