Periwinkle

PERIWINKLE | VINCA

Periwinkle- as pretty as it is potent. You’ve probably seen it in gardens or along walkways, its soft lavender-blue flowers giving cottage-core vibes. But behind that ornamental beauty is a plant with a deep medicinal history and a starring role in some of the most important pharmaceutical breakthroughs of the 20th century.

There are two main plants commonly called periwinkle- Vinca minor (the European creeping periwinkle) and Vinca major (the larger-leaved variety). These are native to southern Europe and western Asia and have been used for centuries in traditional European herbal medicine.

In folk traditions across Europe, periwinkle was considered a symbol of protection, memory, and love. In medieval herbal texts, it was called the “flower of death and marriage” because it was used in wedding wreaths and funeral garlands alike. It was also believed to ward off evil spirits and protect against witches- not a bad resume for a ground cover plant.

Medicinally, Vinca species were used to treat bleeding, reduce inflammation, and support cognitive health. Traditional herbalists brewed the leaves into teas to treat nosebleeds, sore throats, high blood pressure, and even diabetes. It was also applied externally as a poultice to help with eczema, wounds, and varicose veins.

But things really escalated in the 20th century when researchers turned their attention to a tropical cousin of Vinca- Catharanthus roseus, better known as Madagascar periwinkle. This plant, while not technically part of the Vinca genus anymore, shares the name “periwinkle” and became one of the most important medicinal plants in modern pharmacology.

In the 1950s, scientists discovered that Catharanthus contained powerful alkaloids, particularly vincristine and vinblastine, which turned out to be potent anti-cancer agents. These compounds revolutionized treatment for leukemia, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and other cancers. Today, vincristine and vinblastine are still used in chemotherapy protocols around the world.

In a way, the humble periwinkle pulled off a botanical plot twist- from folklore and flowerbeds, to the front lines of modern oncology.

Even now, herbalists continue to work with traditional Vinca species - especially Vinca minor - for their mild astringent, calming, and vascular-supporting properties. But thanks to Madagascar periwinkle, the name “periwinkle” is also forever linked to one of the most significant plant-derived medicines of the last century.

Whether you’re planting it for ground cover, sipping it in a herbal blend, or benefiting from its high-powered pharmaceutical cousins, periwinkle is a reminder that nature can be both gentle and formidable. It's not just a pretty flower—it’s a plant with a legacy.

Medicinal Uses of Vinca minor (European Periwinkle)

• Reduces Minor Bleeding
  Used as an astringent to stop nosebleeds, gum bleeding, and heavy menstrual flow.

• Improves Circulation to the Brain
  Traditionally used to enhance memory, mental clarity, and concentration, especially in aging populations. This use is associated with the compound vincamine.

• Supports Cognitive Function
  Used in nootropic and brain health formulas to increase cerebral blood flow and support cognitive longevity.

• Anti-inflammatory and Wound Healing
  Applied as a poultice or infusion to ease skin inflammation, eczema, cuts, and sores.

• Relieves Sore Throat and Digestive Upset
  Tea made from the leaves was used to calm sore throats, laryngitis, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.

• Eases Nervous Tension
  Sometimes taken as a mild sedative to reduce restlessness, anxiety, and emotional agitation.

• Supports Healthy Blood Pressure
  Used traditionally to gently lower high blood pressure, although not commonly recommended today without supervision.

⚠️ Note: Vinca minor contains vincamine, which affects blood vessels in the brain.

Medicinal Uses of Madagascar Periwinkle

• Chemotherapy Agent for Cancer Treatment
  Source of the alkaloids vincristine and vinblastine, which are used in pharmaceutical chemotherapy for:

  • Leukemia

  • Hodgkin’s lymphoma

  • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

  • Breast cancer

  • Lung cancer

  • Wilms tumor

  These compounds work by inhibiting cancer cell division.

• Traditional Use for Lowering Blood Sugar
  Historically used in Indian and Caribbean folk medicine to reduce high blood sugar. However, this use is no longer considered safe due to the plant’s potential toxicity in raw or unrefined form.

⚠️ Note: Catharanthus roseus/ Madagascar Periwinkle is toxic if taken internally in unrefined forms.