{"id":13270,"date":"2024-08-04T10:44:51","date_gmt":"2024-08-04T09:44:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/?post_type=herb&p=13270"},"modified":"2025-06-16T17:07:39","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T16:07:39","slug":"lesser-periwinkle","status":"publish","type":"herb","link":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/lesser-periwinkle\/","title":{"rendered":"Lesser periwinkle"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"featured_media":13275,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","beyondwords_generate_audio":"1","beyondwords_project_id":"47224","beyondwords_content_id":"1e755df6-9656-47bd-971d-e2b896c036d9","beyondwords_preview_token":"36095812-cb56-472f-b062-35b7399b6705","beyondwords_player_content":"","beyondwords_player_style":"","beyondwords_language_code":"","beyondwords_language_id":"","beyondwords_title_voice_id":"","beyondwords_body_voice_id":"","beyondwords_summary_voice_id":"","beyondwords_error_message":"","beyondwords_disabled":"","beyondwords_delete_content":"","beyondwords_podcast_id":"","beyondwords_hash":"","publish_post_to_speechkit":"","speechkit_hash":"","speechkit_generate_audio":"","speechkit_project_id":"","speechkit_podcast_id":"","speechkit_error_message":"","speechkit_disabled":"","speechkit_access_key":"","speechkit_error":"","speechkit_info":"","speechkit_response":"","speechkit_retries":"","speechkit_status":"","speechkit_updated_at":"","_speechkit_link":"","_speechkit_text":""},"tags":[1767,1635,1784],"conditions":[694,696],"sustainability":[1576],"sense":[31,18,786],"western_action":[989,1000,1017,1024],"chinese_action":[1168,1050,1044,1047],"ayurvedic_action":[1057,1103],"energetics_action":[1492,1499,1515,1512,1498,1557,1622,1506,1382,1533,1487,1546,1520,1553,1543,1572,1619,1560,1552,1556,1539,1549],"region":[1893],"class_list":["post-13270","herb","type-herb","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-antidepressant","tag-hypotensive","tag-ophthalmic","conditions-cardiovascular-system","conditions-nervous-system","sustainability-green-sustainability-status","sense-astringent-taste","sense-bitter","sense-cooling","western_action-alterative","western_action-astringent","western_action-nervine","western_action-vasodilator","chinese_action-clear-heat-dry-damp","chinese_action-astringents-stabilise-bind","chinese_action-stop-bleeding","chinese_action-tonify-blood","ayurvedic_action-rakta-shodhana-rakta-prasadana","ayurvedic_action-stambhana","energetics_action-toning","energetics_action-astringent","energetics_action-astringent-taste-chinese","energetics_action-bitter-taste-chinese","energetics_action-bitter","energetics_action-blood","energetics_action-circulatory","energetics_action-cool-temperature-chinese","energetics_action-cool","energetics_action-cooling","energetics_action-dry","energetics_action-dry-quality","energetics_action-heart","energetics_action-kapha","energetics_action-light","energetics_action-mental","energetics_action-nervous-channel-srotas","energetics_action-nervous","energetics_action-pitta-constitution-dosha","energetics_action-plasma","energetics_action-pungent-post-digestive-effect-vipaka","energetics_action-vata","region-western-herbs"],"acf":{"last_reviewed":"20240804","herb_author":null,"banner_text":"Lesser periwinkle is helpful for neurodegenerative conditions","latin_name":"Vinca minor<\/em>","pseudonym_name":"","family_name":"Apocynaceae","herb_summary":"Pharmaceuticals have been synthesised from the chemicals found naturally in this plant, for conditions of the nervous system. However, there are many more medicinal benefits that periwinkle can provide in the context of traditional herbalism. ","key_benefits":"Loss of mental focus \/ memory\r\nDizziness \/ headaches\r\nTinnitus\r\nAnxiety, stress and Nervous tension\r\nSeasonal affective disorder\r\nRestorative for anaemia and anorexia\r\nPeripheral arterial deficiency\r\nCerebral arteriosclerosis\r\nPost-stroke","how_does_it_feel":"Its astringent qualities are due to the tannins it contains, which make periwinkle a useful remedy for drying excessive secretions and tightening and toning tissues.<\/span>","hdif_image_1":13275,"hdif_image_2":13280,"hdif_image_3":13278,"hdif_video":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/kL8VuVLnuVk","sense":[31,18,786],"what_can_i_use_it_for":"Loss of mental focus, memory, dizziness, headache, tinnitus, vertigo, anxiety, stress, seasonal affective disorder, nervous tension, hypertension, restorative for anaemia and anorexia, peripheral arterial deficiency (as it tones and strengthens blood vessels), and cerebral arteriosclerosis. Therefore, it is also helpful for post-stroke victims. <\/span>","into_the_heart_of":"It is an energetically cooling plant useful to treat heating conditions and inflammation.<\/span> It is the indole alkaloids present in lesser periwinkle<\/span> that are of most interest. It is cited as a cerebral tonic by Matthew Wood (1), and with its vasodilatory and stimulating effects it improves blood flow to the brain and is recommended in cerebral atherosclerosis (plaquing of the arteries) and also said to reduce high blood pressure (2).<\/span>\r\n\r\nWith an increasing prevalence of Alzheimer\u2019s, the ability of <\/span>V. minor<\/span><\/i> to promote cerebral circulation in addition to its potential to ameliorate atherosclerosis makes the herb a good candidate for use for current neurodegenerative challenges.<\/span>","tradtional_uses":"[caption id=\"attachment_13276\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"442\"]\"Lesser Lesser periwinkle blooming (Vinca minor<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nPeriwinkle was understood for its astringent nature in as early as 40\u201390 AD by the Greek physician Dioscorides who noted in his De Materia Medica that <\/span>\u201c<\/span>the leaves be drunk in wine to lessen excessive discharges of the bowels......and cure the pain of the matrix (womb)<\/em>\u201d (3).<\/span>\r\n\r\nPliny (23\u201379 AD) recommended periwinkle for bleeding, diarrhoea, to heal wounds, and as an antidote to poisonous bites when taken with wine. It was even believed to prevent miscarriage when fastened around the thigh of a pregnant woman (McIntyre, 2022) (3).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nApuleius, 5th century, wrote in his herbarium: <\/span>\u201c<\/span>This wort is of good advantage....against devil sickness and demoniacal possessions...against snakes and wilde beasts and against poisons....and for envy and terror....that thou may have grace. If thou hast the wort with thee.....prosperous and ever acceptable.<\/em>\u201d (4).<\/span>\r\n\r\nIn the 13th century, Boke of Secrets it was said <\/span>\u201c<\/span>Perwynke induceth love between man and wife if...used in their meales,<\/em>\u201d (4).<\/span>\r\n\r\nHerbalist John Gerard famously said of its virtues that if <\/span>\u201c<\/span>the leaves stamped, and the juice given to drink in red wine, stoppeth the...... spitting of blood and it likewise stoppeth the inordinate course of the monthly sickness (heavy menses)<\/em>.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0(5)\r\n\r\nOne of the most famous herbalists, Nicholas Culpeper, said it could be used it as an aphrodisiac when shared amongst lovers, and that it stopped the bleeding of the mouth and nose and was also good for the nightmares (4,6).<\/span>\r\n\r\nPeriwinkle tea was thought of as a good remedy for scurvy, to relax sore throats and inflamed tonsils and to gargle with (4).<\/span>\r\n\r\nBruised leaves inserted into nostrils were used to stop bleeding, and when used as an ointment with lard for its healing and anti-inflammatory properties, periwinkle was a useful remedy for skin complaints and for bleeding piles. The flowers of <\/span>Vinca minor<\/span><\/i> are thought of as gently purgative when made into a syrup, and considered a gentle laxative for children (4).<\/span>","what_practioners_say":"[caption id=\"attachment_13278\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"429\"]\"Lesser Lesser periwinkle flowers (Vinca minor<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nV. minor<\/span><\/i> has a particular affinity to the head and is viewed as a relaxing circulatory stimulant, which helps to clear restriction and promote the free flow of materials. Consequently, oxygen uptake is enhanced and cerebral performance is improved.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nUseful in head issues like headaches, indicated for eye disease, ear problems like tinnitus, vertigo and labrynthitis and thought of as helpful in lowering high blood pressure and useful in Alzheimer\u2019s. A synthetic version of an alkaloid from vinca called vinpocetine has been shown in studies to be usefeul for treatment for cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration (22).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nSome herbalists<\/span> substitute for Gin<\/span>g<\/span>ko and think of it as a peripheral vasodilator that improves oxygen and nutrient flow to the brain<\/span>. Therefore it could be used <\/span>for post-stroke victims to enhance the blood flow to that area.<\/span> However, interestingly many modern clinical herbalists do not use vinca any more despite there being plenty of recorded use in earlier literature.<\/span>","research":"[caption id=\"attachment_13280\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"600\"]\"Lesser Lesser periwinkle in a wood (Vinca minor<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nAlmost no<\/span> studies have been done on whole plant extracts of <\/span>Vinca minor<\/span><\/i>, whereas numerous studies have been done using the isolated compound, the indole alkaloid, vincamine.<\/span>\r\n\r\nVincamine, a vinca alkaloid found in the leaves of <\/span>Vinca<\/span><\/i> minor<\/span><\/i> is the strongest represented constituent and represents about 20\u201325% of all of the 40 or so alkaloids found so far. Specifically, vincamine is a monoterpene indole alkaloid with vasodilatory properties and studies indicate that it increases the regional cerebral blood flow. It is listed here as an antihypertensive, antineoplastic and peripheral vasodilator and vasodilator (5).<\/span>\r\n\r\nVincamine has peripheral circulatory benefits and is used as a cerebral stimulant and vasodilator due to its ability to pass through the blood brain barrier and modulate brain circulation and neuronal homeostasis (6,7).<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe monoterpene indole alkaloids from <\/span>Vinca minor<\/span><\/i> have identified a new structural scaffold for treatment of Alzheimer's disease. There were a number of indole alkaloids that showed both the ability of blood-brain barrier penetration and remarkable hBuChE, and POP inhibition potency (both suggested markers in Alzheimers disease progression) (8).<\/span>\r\n\r\nIn a study on the therapeutic efficacy of vincamine in dementia, Fischhof et al. showed in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 142 patients between the ages of 50\u201385 years who had either degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer\u2019s type or multi-infarct dementia. After a 12-week time period the controlled group who were given 30mg vincamine twice daily performed significantly better in all four target variables compared to the placebo group (9).<\/span>\r\n\r\nThere was a study done recently by Hasa that showed a sevenfold improvement in oral bioavailability of vincamine when administered to rats as part of a whole plant compared to the pure chemical compound (2013) (10), something we know as the \u2018entourage effect\u2019, which is a major premise of herbalism as we use phytochemically diverse extracts.\u00a0<\/span>","did_you_know":"[caption id=\"attachment_13274\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"353\"]\"Lesser Lesser periwinkle plants (Vinca minor<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThere are actually two very similar plants with different uses: lesser periwinkle and greater periwinkle<\/span>. <\/span><\/i>Unlike lesser periwinkle, described above, greater periwinkle (larger leaves) is now known to have an affinity for the reproductive and lower digestive systems, due to its strong astringency and blood staunching actions. It is especially useful to stem heavy menstrual bleeding or to reduce bleeding ulcers in the digestive system.<\/span>\r\n\r\nLesser periwinkle<\/span> was known as The Sorcerer<\/span>\u2019<\/span>s Violet or Devils Eye, and it was considered a favourite flower of the<\/span>\u201c<\/span>wise folk (witches) for making charms and love potions. It was even said to be able to exorcise evil spirits (11). It was also said that even staring into the beautiful flower alone could bring back memories.<\/span>\r\n\r\nPeriwinkle was considered the Female Patron Herb of Wiccans she was guided by the planet Venus (13).<\/span>","additional_information_right":{"illustration":108882},"additional_information_left":{"botany":"It is an evergreen ground hugging shrub with rooting stems, shiny elliptical leaves and five-petalled elliptical blue-violet flowers (20).<\/span>","common_names":"