Botanical Index No. 621

Lesser Periwinkle

vinca minor

Medicinal Actions

Anesthetic, Antialzheimeran, Antibacterial, Anticholinesterase, Antidementic, Antilactagogue, Antiscorbutic, Antispasmodic, Astringent, Bradycardic, Carminative, Cerebroprotective, CNS Depressant, Cytotoxic, Depurative, Diuretic, Emetic, Emmenagogue, Hypoglycemic, Hypotensive, Immunodepressant, Immunostimulant, Lactagogue, Laxative, Leukocytopenogenic, Memorigenic, Negative Chronotropic, Parasympatholytic, Peristaltic, Phagocytotic, Sedative, Sympatholytic, Tonic

Primary Conditions Treated

Bitter Collyrium Hemostat Philtre Vermifuge Vulnerary Abscess ADHD Alzheimer’s Angina Bacteria Bleeding Brain Bruise Cancer uvula Catarrh Chlorosis Circulosis Congestion Constipation Cramp Cystosis Debility Dementia Dermatosis Diabetes Diarrhea Dizziness Dropsy Dysentery Dysmenorrhea Eczema Encephalosis Enterosis Epistaxis Fever Fit Gas Gastrosis Headache Hemorrhoid Hepatosis High Blood Pressure Hyperglycemia Hysteria Immunodepression Inflammation Insomnia Menorrhagia Migraine Mucososis Nephrosis Nervousness Neurosis Nightmare Ophthalmia Pain Pharyngosis Phthisis Seborrhea Senility amp Sore Sore Throat Stroke Tinnitus Tonsilosis Toothache Trichomoniasis Tuberculosis Uvulosis Vaginosis Vertigo Water Retention Weakness Worm Wound

General Dosage

2–4 g powdered herb; 200 ml boiling water over 1 tsp herb, 2–3 cups/day; 15 g herb/250 ml water for infusion; macerate 100 g herbs in a liter of wine, steep 10 days; 2.5–5 ml liquid herb extract; 2–5 g fluid extract.

Safety & Contraindications

Class 2d. Contraindicated in constipation and hypotension. “Health hazards not known with proper therapeutic dosages”. Commission E reports hematological changes have been observed in animals. Little cited as allergic or toxic. PH2 reports skin flushing and GI disturbances. Overdose may seriously lower blood pressure. LD50 “drug” 1400 mg/kg ipr mouse, LD50 “mixed alkaloids” 76 mg/kg ipr mouse, LD50 “mixed alkaloids” 24 mg/kg ivn mouse, LD50 “mixed alkaloids” 500 mg/kg orl mouse.

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