Vinca major
Part Used: Dried flowering tips (leaf, flower & tender stem)
Periwinkle (Vinca major) is a perennial herb that spreads by putting out runners, and is mostly used as a ground cover in partial to full shade. It is generally used in herbal medicine, as an astringent and tonic, in menorrhagia and haemorrhages, also as a laxative, and gargle. It is useful for piles and inflammatory conditions of the skin if used as an ointment. Its powerful astringent action makes it useful for a couple to use, vaginally as a douche and as a penis soak, in treating vaginal infections. Periwinkle is an excellent all-round astringent that may be used internally or externally. Its main use is in the treatment of excessive menstrual flow, either during the period itself (menorrhagia) or with blood loss between periods (metrorrhagia). As with other remedies that effect the uterus, it can be used to address similar processes in the urinary system. Thus it can be used for cases hematuria. Also used in digestive problems such as colitis or diarrhea where it will act to reduce the loss of fluid or blood whilst toning the membranes.
Periwinkle contains the alkaloid astringent; bitter; detergent; homeopathy; hypotensive; purgative; sedative; stomachic; tonic; and vasodilator actions. 'vincamine', which is used by the pharmaceutical industry as a cerebral stimulant and vasodilator. It also contains 'reserpine', which reduces high blood pressure. It is used internally in the treatment of excessive menstruation, abnormal uterine bleeding, vaginal discharge and hardening of the arteries. It should not be given to patients with constipation. It is applied externally to vaginal discharge, nosebleed, sore throat and mouth ulcers. The fresh flowers are gently purgative, but lose their effect on drying.
References:
Botanical.Com. http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/p/periwi27.html
Holistic Online. http://www.holisticonline.com/Herbal-Med/_Herbs/h281.htm
Plants for a Future Database. http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Vinca+major
