Periwinkle Herb Profile

Also known as

Vinca minor, Vinca, Common Periwinkle, and Myrtle.

Introduction

The garden periwinkle is the source of a chemical that can be turned into vinpocetine, a natural treatment for aging minds. Originating in Madagascar but now growing wild in warm climates around the world, periwinkle has enjoyed a variety of medicinal applications.

Constituents

The periwinkle contains vincamine, precursor chemical vinpocetine, in its leaves and seeds.

Parts Used

Leaves, seeds.

Typical Preparations

More often used as tincture, can be encapsulated or served as tea.

Summary

Precautions

Periwinkle is the source of vinpocetine; it is not pure vinpocetine. If you use the whole herb you are relying on a rounded blend of healing chemicals found in the minimally processed plant. Periwinkle does not cause any known interactions with blood thinning medications (such as aspirin, Coumarin, Plavix, Ticlid, or Trental), although vinpocetine extracted from it does. Vinpocetine can cause either increased or decreased bleeding depending on the medication; this is why whole periwinkle is preferred.