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 roseThe 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.
- The herb should not be administered self.
- Pregnant women should avoid taking this herb.
