Lesser Periwinkle

Vinca minor

COMMON NAMES

• Common Periwinkle
• Lesser Periwinkle
• Myrtle

Lesser periwinkle - a perennial evergreen herb with creeping stems reaching 30 inches long. The plants often form a thick mat. Glossy, dark green, oval to oblong leaves, 2 inches long, grow in pairs on short leafstalks. The single blue to violet or, rarely, white flowers (May-June) rise from the leaf axils and produce two small slender seedpods.

The demure little lesser periwinkle hardly seems an object worthy of controversy, but the plant and its relative V. major, or greater periwinkle, have been a topic of some discussion. Although the herbs have been cited as helpful in arresting bleeding, they are listed as "unsafe" by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Researchers studying the pharmacological aspects of plants have protested the agency's findings, stating that the plants should not be included on the dangerous plant list.

Probably because they wanted to ensure for themselves a supply of this useful herb, immigrants brought lesser periwinkle, or myrtle as it is frequently called, to the New World. Although greater periwinkle is classified as the principal medicinal species, the plants have been used interchangeably. In addition to its antihemorrhaging qualities, lesser periwinkle has been named as an astringent, as a remedy for "nervous disorders," and as a treatment for high blood pressure.

Like many herbs, periwinkle once had ties with magic and superstition. Supposedly the herb could ward off evil spirits, and in some places lesser periwinkle was held that no witch would dare enter a home where it hung at the entrance. In France the flower of lesser periwinkle is sometimes referred to as violette des sorciers, or "violet of the sorcerers."

PARTS USED

Leaves.

USES

Lesser periwinkle is employed as an astringent and blood-staunching herb. Its astringency makes it a useful mouthwash for sore throats, gingivitis, and canker sores. Its staunching ability is effective against internal bleeding, heavy menstrual bleeding, and nosebleeds. Since vincamine was discovered in the leaves, lesser periwinkle has been used to treat arteriosclerosis and for dementia due to insufficient blood flow to the brain.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

Native to a Europe, lesser periwinkle grows along roadsides and woodland borders. Lesser periwinkle is also cultivated as a garden plant. The leaves are gathered in spring.

CONSTITUENTS

Lesser periwinkle contains about 7% indole alkaloids (including vincamine, vincine, and vincaminine), a bisindol alkaloid (vincarubine), and tannins. Vincamine increases blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain.

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