Vinca Flower (Shavamnari poo)

Vinca Flower (Shavamnari poo)

Vinca Rose is a charming, evergreen shrub, bearing pink or white slaver form flower. It is a native plant of southeastern and eastern Madagascar. After the invasion of European colonist the plant achieved world recognition because of its ornamental property. It can also grow in the tropical and subtropical regions. Vinca Rose has waxed, glossy covering leaves, which is oval or oblong in shape and oppositely arranged in pairs, with a pale midrib and a short petiole. The flowers usually have five petals like loves. It grows very well in infertile and well drained soil but has the chances of dying if the soil is too fertile or healthy. Occasional pinching of the bud is necessary for full growth and branching. It doesn’t need dead heading as the flower drops off after it completes blooming. It is very helpful for the treatment of Leukemia occurring in children. It is prone to the infection of Phytoplasmas which reduces the growth of the leaf.Vinca plants have slender trailing stems 1–2 m (3–6 feet) long but not growing more than 20–70 cm (8-30 inches) above ground; the stems frequently take root where they touch the ground, enabling the plant to spread widely. The leaves are opposite, simple broad lance late to ovate, 1–9 cm  long and 0.5–6 cm broad; they are evergreen in four species, but deciduous in the herbaceous  which dies back to the root system in winter. The flowers, produced through most of the year, are salver form simple, 2.5–7 cm broad, with five usually violet petals joined together at the base to form a tube. The fruit consists of a pair of divergent follicles; a dry fruit which is dehiscent along one rupture site in order to release seeds.

Vinca rose belongs to family Apocynaceae. It s medicinal uses have been discovered in the recent times. The common names of the herb are Periwinkle, Sadabahar, Madagascar Periwinkle and Rosy Periwinkle. The herb mostly grows in waste lands and sandy places. Roots and leaves are used in medicines. The herb has various medicinal importance. It contains various alkaloids which are sedative, hypertensive, tranquilizer and anti-cancerous.

Medicinal Uses of Vinca rose

The herb has following medicinal properties:

• Anti-carcinogenic – The herb has two anti-carcinogenic compounds such as vincristine and vinblastine which have been found to be effective in the cure of various types of cancers.

• Anti-diabetic – The herb is also effective in the treatment of diabetes as it has the property to lower the blood sugar.

• Hypotensive – Vinca lowers the blood pressure in high blood pressure patients.

• Sedative – The herb has calming properties and also relieves from the depression like symptoms.

• Tranquilizer – Vinca relieves anxiety, thus it has tranquilizing properties.

 Caution for Vinca rose

• The herb should not be administered self.

• Pregnant women should avoid taking this herb.