Vinca Pevinca, Periwinkle

Alexandria, Laureola, Lactago, Daphnitis, Clematis Daphnoides, Chamedaphne, Hippoglossum
 Picture
Picture Herbarum Vivae Eicones, Otto Brunfels, 1530

Picture V, major
English Botany, Sowerby, 1799

Picture (Photo by Cslucas) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:


Vinca major (Greater); V. minor (Lesser)

Parts used:


Herb

Temperature & Taste:


Warm, dry

Classification:


3N. Vulnerary

Uses:


1. Calms the Mind, Moves the Blood, Stops Wind:
-Dizziness, Vertigo, Headache, Tinnitus, Nervous Disorders, Hysteria, Fits, Cramps
-Nightmare, Terror
-‘pains of the Teeth’.
-Poor Memory, poor Concentration
-Loss of Speech; Speech Disorders have shown clinical improvement.
-Cerebral Arteriosclerosis; Sequelae of Strokes; impairment of Cerebral circulation.
-Behavioral Disorders, Irritability, Restlessness
–Traditionally to cure diseases of Enchantment and Possession.

2. Astringes and Stops Bleeding:
-excessive menstrual bleeding; Uterine Bleeding, Bleeding and Spotting between periods.
-Diarrhea, Dysentery
-Hemoptysis; other types of bleeding.
-Threatened Miscarriage (Lonicerus)

3. Astringes, Benefits the Yin:
-traditionally used as an adjunct in the treatment of Diabetes and Consumption.
-reputation for inciting ‘Lust’.

4. Resists Poison:
-Cold, Flu (Lonicerus)
-various Poisons including Snake Bite.

5. Promotes Milk
-promotes Breast Milk

6. Externally:
-ointment made from the leaves is soothing, healing and good for any skin inflammation, including Eczema.
-Applied to Bleeding Piles.
-for bleeding of the Mouth and Nose (the leaf is chewed).
-bands were traditionally fastened around the calves for cramps.
–loose teeth, toothache


Dose:


The herb will have to be given for a minimum of 4–6 weeks before any marked improvement in cerebral symptoms occurs.
INFUSION or DECOCTION: 2–6 grams, up to 9 grams (dried);
TINCTURE (1:5): 1–3 mls. (some said 2–10 drops), 2–3 times daily;
POWDER: 500mg–2 grams;
JUICE: 3–10mls.; the Juice of a small handful of fresh leaves is given with Wine to stop bleeding.

Substitute:


Periwinkle has been used as a substitute for Cotton root.

Main Combinations:


1. Edema, Periwinkle with Tansy and Agrimony
2. Bleeding from the Lungs, Periwinkle with Willow leaf, Daisy, Knotgrass (Meyer)
3. Loss of Speech:
i. Periwinkle, Borage, Calendula
ii. Periwinkle, Sage, Saffron
iii. Periwinkle with Borage, Peony, Rosemary, Calamus, Storax, Calendula
4. Speech disorders, Periwinkle, Calamus
5. Nervous disorders, Nightmares:
i. the conserve made of the young leaves is useful.
ii. Periwinkle with Balm
6. Mental debility, Mental Illness, Periwinkle with Vervain and Blessed Thistle
7. Uterine Bleeding from Heat, Periwinkle with Golden Seal
8. Threatened Miscarriage, Periwinkle with Lobelia
9. Wounds, Trauma, Periwinkle with Wintergreen, Tormentil, Comfrey, Sanicle, Vervain (as in Universal Vulnerary Decoction)
10. As a gargle for Sore Throat, Periwinkle with Bistort, Agrimony, Hollyhock flower, Pomegranate flower (2 oz. each) (Pharmacia rationalis, 1806)
11. For Cramps, bands of fresh Periwinkle were bound around the calf.

Major Formula:



1. Swiss Purgative:
i. Wormwood, Betony, Bugle, Mint, Vervain, Water Germander, Germander, Hyssop, Ground Ivy, Yarrow, Marjoram, Periwinkle, Rosemary, Sanicle, Sage, Thyme, Wild Thyme, Arnica flowers, Coltsfoot flowers  (equal parts)
  This is a gentle cleanser which may safely be taken on an extended basis. It clears Heat and Phlegm, regulates the Stomach and Bowels, cleanses the Liver and Spleen etc. It is not debilitating as are stronger purgatives medicines, but rather works by stimulating healthy function. A tablespoonful may be steeped in a cup of boiling water, and honey added to taste.

2. Vulnerary Spirit:
i. Comfrey root, Herbs of Comfrey, Bugle, Sanicle, Betony, Figwort, Plantain, Agrimony, St. Johns wort, Periwinkle, Ground Ivy, Mugwort, Veronica, Vervain, Lesser Houseleek, Yarrow (4 oz. each), Sage, Angelica, Tansy, Wormwood, Celandine, Fennel, Clematis, Mint, Hyssop, Tobacco (8 oz. each), Rue, Camomile, Scordium, Marjoram, Rosemary (4 oz. each), Lavender, Oregano, Calamint (6 oz. each). White Wine (50 lbs.) Distil half. (Pharmacopoeia Wirtembergica, 1798)

Cautions:


1. Avoid during pregnancy
2. Avoid in Hypotensives
3. Toxic in overdose

Main Preparations used:


Distilled Water of the Root, Leaf and Flower, Conserve of the Young Leaves