~ Herbs ~

[MysteRy]

Black Nightshade

Botanical Name(s): Solanum Nigrum
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Solanum L.
Species: Solanum nigrum L.
Popular Name(s): Makoy, Deadly Nightshade, Garden Nightshade, Kakamachi
Parts Used: Fruits, whole plant
Habitat: Grown as a weed in all the dry parts of India

Description
Black nightshade is a short-lived perennial herb that is native to Eurasia. Its erect, angular, branching stem grows 1 to 2 feet high and may be glabrous or covered with inward-bent hair. The leaves are alternate, dark-green, ovate, and wavy-toothed or nearly entire. Its fruit is a many-seeded, pea-sized, purple or black berry. The herb has been used in early Ayurvedic practices, when it was combined with other ingredients to make herbal medicine for heart disease. Early Ayurveda had also stated that the berries from the plant could be eaten safely, though they are now believed to be poisonous. The herb seems to have been only used by the Greeks on inflamed parts, as a local application.

Uses & Benefits of Black Nightshade

Medicinal:
The juice of black nightshade is sometimes used to treat fever and alleviate pain.
Its fruit is used as a cosmetic; as rubbing its seeds on the cheeks helps remove freckles. Children extensively eat the mature fruit. It has been used for diabetes as well.
In Northern India, the boiled extracts of its leaves and fruits are used to alleviate the discomfort caused by liver-related ailments, even in jaundice.
The leaves of black nightshade plant strongly promote perspiration, when ingested in small amounts. They work to purge the bowels the next day.
The juice of the herb or an ointment prepared from it is externally applied to cure certain skin problems and tumors.
A decoction of the stalk, leaves, and roots of black nightshade is beneficial for wounds and cancerous sores.
Its berries are poisonous, but boiling them is believed to destroy the toxic substances and make them safe to be used for preserves, jams, and pies.
An infusion of the plant is used as an enema in infants suffering from abdominal upsets.
Freshly prepared extract of the plant is effective in treating cirrhosis of the liver and also works as an antidote to poisoning by opium.

Culinary:
In India, black nightshade berries are grown and eaten by local people. The dish is more common in Northern Tamil Nadu, Southern Andhra and Southern Karnataka. However, the plant is not cultivated for commercial purposes.
In Ethiopia, ripe fruits of black nightshade are eaten by children during normal times, while all the affected people eat fruits of the plant during famines. The leaves are also collected by women and cooked in salt water. They are then consumed like any other vegetable.
It is known that farmers in the Konso Special Woreda use it as source of food, until their maize crops are ready for harvesting, since the plant matures before maize. The Welayta people of the adjacent Semien Omo Zone do not remove this weed appearing in their gardens. Instead, they cook and eat the leaves of the plant.

[MysteRy]

Kantakari

Botanical Name(s): Solanum Xanthocarpum
Family Name: Solanaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Solanum
Species: S. xanthocarpum
Popular Name(s): Yellow-Berried Nightshade, Choti Katheri, Kantkari, Kateli
Parts Used: Fruits, Whole Plant.   
Habitat: Throughout India

Description
Kantkari, botanically known as Solanum Xanthocarpum, is a very spiny diffused herb, with a height of up to 1.2 meters. The young branches are densely covered with minute star-shaped hair, while the mature branches are zigzag, covered with yellow, sharp shining prickles and spread close to the ground. The midribs and other nerves of the leaves have sharp yellow prickles and grow up to 10 cm in length. The purple flowers, that are 2 cm long with five petals, can be seen in small bunches, sometimes opposite to the leaves.

Kantkari plant bears glabrous, globular drooping berries as fruits, yellow or pale in color, with green veins. The plant is cultivated throughout India. The herb is also known as Kantakari and Nidigadhika in Sanskrit; Kateli, Katai and Ringani in Hindi; Kantakari in Bengali; Bhuiringani in Marwai; Bhoyaringani in Gujarati; Pinnamulaka, Nelamulaka and Vankuda in Telugu; Kandankattiri in Tamil and Malayalam; Bhejibegun and Ankranti in Oriya; Kandyali, Mahori and Warumba in Punjabi; and Rengnie, Bhat-khataya and Rangaini Janum in Bihar.

Plant Chemicals
(+)- solanocarpine, carpesterol, solanocarpidine, potassium nitrate, fatty acid, diosgenin, sitosterol, isochlorogenic acid, neochronogenic acid, chronogenic acid, caffeic acid, solasodine, solasonine, solamargine, quercetin, apigenin, histamine, acetylcholine.

Uses & Benefits of Kantakari
Kantkari is useful in treating worms, cold, hoarseness of voice, fever, dysuria, enlargement of the liver, muscular pain, spleen and stone in the urinary bladder.
Nasal administration of kantkari is beneficial in migraine, asthma and headache.
Its dried fruit is used in making cigarettes. The smoke from these cigarettes is held in the mouth cavity, to treat dental infections.
The juice of the berries is used in curing sore throat.
The fumigation of kantakari is helpful in piles.
The herb is made to a paste and applied on swollen and painful joints to reduce the pain and swelling in arthritis.
Roots and seeds are used as an expectorant in asthma, cough and pain in chest.
The decoction of the root is given with honey, to treat cough.
The root is ground to a paste and mixed with lemon to cure snake and scorpion bites.
Its stem, flowers and fruits, being bitter and carminative, are used for relieving burning sensation in the feet.
Kantakari fruits also facilitate seminal ejaculation, alleviate worms, itching, and fever and reduce fats.
The fruit works as an aphrodisiac in males.
Its seeds are helpful for treating irregular menstruation and dysmenorrheal in females.
The herb is beneficial in the treatment of cardiac diseases associated with edema, since it is a stimulant to the heart and a blood purifier.

Caution
Kantkari should not be taken during pregnancy.

[MysteRy]

Baheda

Botanical Name(s): Beleric, Belliric Myrobalan, Baehra
Family Name: Combretaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Myrtales
Family: Combretaceae
Genus: Terminalia
Species: T. bellirica
Popular Name(s): Beleric Myrobalan, Bibhitaki, Bahera, Bahira, Bilhitak, Baheda, Vibhidhaka, Bastard Myrobalan, Bedda Nut.
Parts Used: Fruit.   
Habitat: Grown throughout India.

Description
Beleric is a large deciduous tree found throughout India, in areas up to an altitude of 1,000 meters. The tree takes a height of 30 meters, while the bark is brownish grey in color. The alternate, broadly elliptic leaves are clustered towards the end of the branches. They are 10 to 12 cm in length and 7 to 14 cm in breadth. The simple, solitary flowers are in auxiliary spikes, with offensive odor. They blossom in the month of May. The fruits are ovoid grey drupes and the kernels are sweet, but narcotic. The tree is found in abundance in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Maharashtra. It is known as vibhitaki, karshaphala and kalidruma in Sanskrit and bahera in Hindi.

Plant Chemicals
(+)- ?-sitosterol, gallic acid, ellagic acid, chebulagic acid, galloyl glucose, fatty acid, protein, oxalic acid, tannin, palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, galactose, glucose, ethyl gallate.

Uses & Benefits of Baheda
Beleric is a rejuvenative and laxative. It proves beneficial for hair, throat and eyes.
Beleric seed oil or fruit paste is applied on swollen and painful parts.
The seed oil gives excellent results in skin diseases and premature graying of hair.
Fruit pieces are baked and chewed for cough, cold, hoarseness of voice and asthma.
Beleric fruit is powdered and used to dress wounds to arrest the bleeding.
Beleric fruits and kernels are used in making medicated hair oil, used to alleviate pain and burning sensation, boost hair growth and impart black color to the hair.
The paste of the fruit is applied on eyelids, in case of conjunctivitis.
The herb is used in various eye ailments, such as myopia, corneal opacity, pterigium, immature cataract, chronic and acute infective conditions.
Beleric helps in loss of appetite, flatulence, thirst, piles and worms.
The ripened fruit acts as an astringent and anti-diarrheal.
The decoction of the kernels is used in case of excessive thirst and vomiting.
Beleric plant alleviates cough, relieves blocked phlegm, controls bleeding in the sputum and eases bronchospasms.
It prevents ageing, imparts longevity, boosts immunity, improves mental faculties and enhances the body resistance against diseases.
It helps in lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.

Caution
It is best to avoid belerica during pregnancy, as there is some evidence of the herb being unsafe during pregnancy and breast-feeding.

[MysteRy]

Haritaki

Botanical Name(s): Terminalia Chebula, Terminalia Reticulata
Family Name: Combretaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Myrtales
Family: Combretaceae
Genus: Terminalia
Species: T. chebula
Popular Name(s): Black Myrobalan, Chebulic Myrobalan, Hardh, Ink Tree, Harar, Hardad, Indian Gall Nut
Parts Used: Fruit, Root, Bark.   
Habitat: Grown throughout India

Description
The deciduous Haritaki tree grows at an altitude of 1,800 meters. The round tree is crowned and braches spread out, with a diameter of 1.5 to 2.5 meters. The long ovate leaves are acute, in opposite pairs about 10 to 20 cm long. The flowers are dull white with spikes and can be found at the end of the branches. The fruit is hard and yellowish green in color. Each fruit has a single seed that is light yellow in color. The tree can be found in the sub Himalayan tracks, from Ravi to West Bengal and in the deciduous forests of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Assam and Maharashtra. It is known as haritaki, abhaya and pathya in Sanskrit; harad in Hindi; hirada in Marathi; alalekaayi in Kannada; kadukkai in Tamil; horitoky in Bengali; xilikha in Assamese and karakkaya in Telugu.

Plant Chemicals
(+)- tannic acid, chebulinic acid, gallic acid, resin, anthraquinone, sennoside, mucilage, chebulin, terchebin, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, arachidic acid, behenic acid.

Uses & Benefits of Haritaki
Haritaki has laxative, rejuvenative, purgative, astringent and dry properties.
The paste of its fruit is effective in reducing swelling, hastening the healing process and cleansing the wounds and ulcers.
The paste gives relief to the eyelids, in case of conjunctivitis.
Gargling with haritaki decoction helps in stomatitis, oral ulcers and sore throat.
It serves as a good astringent for loose gums, bleeding and ulceration in gums.
The herb is used in preparing ‘Triphala’ that is used for hair wash, brush teeth in pyorrhea and treat bleeding gums.
Regular consumption of haritaki powder, fried in ghee, promotes longevity and boosts energy.
It responds well to gastrointestinal ailments, tumors, ascites, piles, enlargement of liver-spleen, worms and colitis.
Powdered haritaki, mixed with jaggery, works well in gout.
Its powder, when mixed with honey and ghee, is an effective remedy for anemia.
Haritaki is combined with sunthi powder and given with hot water to lighten asthma and hiccups.
Its decoction, when taken along with honey, is of great help in hepatitis and obesity.
The herb improves memory and is salutary in dysuria and urinary stones.
Haritaki helps in improving appetite and helps in digestion.
It is a good nervine and helps in nervous weakness and nervous irritability and promotes the receiving power of the five senses.
Since it is anti-inflammatory and astringent, it is helpful in urethral discharges like spermatorrhea and vaginal discharges like leucorrhea.

Caution
Haritaki should be sparingly used by lean individuals and pregnant women.
It should be avoided in severe debility, mental depression, while fasting and vitiated pitta conditions.

[MysteRy]

Guduchi

Botanical Name(s): Tinospora Cordifolia
Family Name: Meninspermaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Menispermaceae
Genus: Tinospora
Species: T. cordifolia
Popular Name(s): Gulanshe Tinospara, Gulancha Tinospara, Tinospara, Giloy
Parts Used: Stem.
Habitat: North and South India

Description
Guduchi is a glabrous climbing shrub with a succulent stem and papery bark that is creamy white to grey in color. The shrub shoots out aerial roots, usually on neem and mango trees, which could be as long as 30 meters. It bears heart-shaped leaves. The yellow flowers are axillary and long-stalked racemes. The fruit is pea-sized, subglobose drupe and red colored on maturity. Flowers can be seen in June, while fruits occur in November. Guduchi is found in deciduous and dry forests throughout India. The herb is known as guduchi and amrutha in Sanskrit, and giloy and gurcha in Hindi.

Plant Chemicals
(+)- diterpene, tinosporone, tinosporic acid, cordifolisides A to E, syringen, berberine, giloin, gilenin, crude giloininand, arabinogalactan polysaccharide, picrotene, bergenin, gilosterol, tinosporol, tinosporidine, sitosterol, cordifol, heptacosanol, octacosonal, tinosporide, columbin, chasmanthin, palmarin, palmatosides C and F, amritosides, cordioside, tinosponone, berberine, ecdysterone, makisterone A, 20 ?-hydroxyecdysone, nonacosan-15-one, ?-sitosterol, magnoflorine, tembetarine, syringine, glucan polysaccharide, syringine apiosylglycoside, isocolumbin, palmatine, tetrahydropalmaitine, jatrorrhizine.

Uses & Benefits of Guduchi
All parts of guduchi plant are used for various medicinal purposes.
The plant oil is effective in reducing pain and edema and in gout and skin diseases.
The herb accords longevity, enhances memory, improves health, and bestows youth, betters complexion, voice, energy and luster of the skin.
It is helpful in treating digestive ailments such as hyperacidity, colitis, worm infestations, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, excessive thirst, and vomiting and even liver disorders like hepatitis.
Fresh juice of guduchi, when mixed with rock candy, speeds up the recovery in hepatitis patients.
It helps in remedying ailments like raktapitta, anemia, cardiac debility, diabetes, sexual debility and splenic disorders.
The starch of the plant serves as a household remedy for chronic fever, relieves burning sensation and increases energy and appetite.
The decoction of guduchi, mixed with nimba and vasa, eases the itching and oozing.
It benefits general weakness, dyspepsia, impotency, dysentery, secondary syphilis, tuberculosis, jaundice, constipation, leprosy, general debility, cutaneous rashes and condylomata.
Guduchi helps in getting rid of renal caliculi and reduces blood urea level.
The decoction of guduchi and sunthi is a good combination for treating gout and rheumatic disorders.
Guduchi juice, when taken with cow’s milk or lodhra, is effective in combating leucorrhea.
The juice is mixed with cumin seeds and consumed to reduce the burning sensation caused due to pitta.
The root of guduchi is a strong emetic and used for bowel obstruction.

Caution
Diabetic patients are advised to use guduchi with caution, since it can lower blood sugar levels.
In case you are about to undergo a surgery, stop consuming guduchi two weeks beforehand, since it can interfere with blood sugar control during the surgery.
It is better to avoid guduchi during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

[MysteRy]

Indian Valerian

Botanical Name(s): Valeriana Wallichii
Family Name: Valerianaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Dipsacales
Family: Valerianaceae
Genus: Valeriana
Species: V. wallichi
Popular Name(s): Valerian Jatamansi, Taggar, Tagara, All-heal, Amantilla, Baldrian, Great Wild, Valerian Phu
Parts Used: Rhizomes.
Habitat: Temperate zone of North Western Himalayas up to an altitude of 3000 meters.

Description
Indian valerian is an erect, perennial plant that grows to a height of 4 feet with pinnate, divided and heart-shaped leaves. Pink or white flowers are found in clusters on the leaf top. The roots are a hairy and spindly mass that is collected in the autumn from two-year old plants. The rhizomes are greenish-brown in color and hard and tough internally. The herb is cultivated in Belgium, England, Eastern Europe, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the Russian Federation and the United States of America. The medicinal plant is inhabitant to the Himalayas in Nagar, Minapin Glacier and Bultora Glacier in India. The herb is known as gilgiti valerian in Hindi and, mushk bala and risha wala in Urdu.

Plant Chemicals
(+)- Maalioxide, 2-Acetyl-Pyrrole, 7-Epideacetylisovaltrate, 8-Epikessanol, Acetoxy-Valepotriatum, Alpha-Curcumene, Alpha-Kessyl-Alcohol, Alpha-Methyl-2-Pyrrolyl-Ketone, Beta-Carotene, Caffeic-Acid, Capronic-Acid, Catalase, Dihydrovalepotriatum, Eremophilene, Gamma-Linolenic-Acid, Kaempferol, Kanokosides, Kessane, Kessene, Kessyl-Glycol, Kongol, Linoleic-Acid, Myrtenyl-Acetate, Myrtenyl-Isovalerianate, Oleic-Acid, Oxydase, P-Coumaric-Acid, Palmitic-Acid, Peroxidase, Quercetin, Saccharose, Valepotriatum, Valerenal, Valerenol, Valerenolic-Acid, Actinidine, Acetic-Acid, Acevaltrate, Allo-Aromadendrene, Alpha-Fenchene, Alpha-Kerzylalcohol, Alpha-Valene, Aluminum, Ascorbic-Acid, Azulene, Baldrianic-Acid, Baldriatannic-Acid, Beta-Bisabolene, Beta-Elemene, Beta-Ionone, Beta-Phellandrene, Beta-Pinene, Beta-Sitosterol, Beta-Sitosterol-Stearate, Beta-Valene, Borneol, Bornyl-Acetate, Bornyl-Butyrate, Bornyl-Formate, Bornyl-Isovalerianate, Calcium, Camphene, Carbohydrates, Caryophyllene,Chatinene, Chlorogenic-Acid, Choline, Chromium, Cobalt, Deacetylisolavtrate, Delta-Cadinene, Didrovaltrate, Eugenyl-Isovalerate, Fat, Faurinol, Faurinone, Fiber, Formic-Acid , Fructose, Gamma-Terpinene, Gamma-Valene, Glucose, Gum, Homodivaltrate, Homovaltrate, Hydroxyvalerinic-Acid, Iron, Isoeugenyl-Isovalerate, Isovalerianic-Acid, Isovaleric-Acid, Isovaleroxy-Hydroxy-Didrovaltrate, Ledol, Limonene, Maaliol, Magnesium, Manganese, Myrcene, Myrtenol, N-(Beta-(P-Hydroxyphenyl)-Ethyl)-Actinidine, Niacin, P-Cymol Patcholyl-Alcohol, Phosphorus, Potassium, Protein, Raffinose, Resin, Riboflavin, Selenium, Silicon, Sodium, Terpinolene, Thiamin, Tin, Tridecen-(1)-Pentain(3,5,7,9,11), Valechlorine, Valenol, Valepotriates, Valerenic-Acid, Valerenone, Valerianine, Valerianol, Valerianolic-Acid, Valerianone, Valeric-Acid, Valerine, Valerosidatum, Valeroside-A, Valtrate, Valtrate-Isovaleroxyhydrin, Zinc.

Uses & Benefits of Indian Valerian
Indian valerian is anodyne, antispasmodic, aromatic, calmative, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, nervine, relaxant, sedative, stimulant and tranquilizer.
The herb has a remarkable influence on the cerebro-spinal system, hypochrondriasis, hysteria, insomnia, migraines, nervous unrests and nervous tensions, neuralgia and neurasthenia.
It is useful in treating anxiety, breathlessness, epilepsy, giddiness and fainting fits.
The herb lowers blood pressure, palpitations of the heart and even strengthens the heart.
Indian valerian is useful in curing gastrointestinal conditions like diverticulitis, irritable bowel, nervous dyspepsia, nervous stomach, stimulates digestion, and stomach cramps.
It proves helpful in treating head congestion and loosens phlegm in different coughs and lung congestion.
Indian valerian comes handy in menstrual cramps and muscle spasms, aids liver function and relieves pain.
The root corrects tremors, reduces excitement and irritability, lowers high blood pressure and calms the nervous system.

Caution
Indian valerian should not be taken for longer periods of time, since it can cause mental depression in some people.
If consumed in excess, the herb can result in a stimulating effect rather than a relaxing effect. It can also cause heaviness and pain in the head stupor.

[MysteRy]

Khus Khus

Botanical Name(s): Vetiveria Zizanoides
Family Name: Poaceae
Kingdom: Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta (Vascular Plants)
Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
Class: Liliopsida (Monocotyledons)
Subclass: Commelinidae
Order: Cyperales
Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
Genus: Vetiveria Bory (vetivergrass)
Species: Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash (vetivergrass)
Popular Name(s): Khas Khas, Cuscus and Vetivert
Parts Used: Roots and Essential oil
Habitat: Cultivated in plains and low hills of India

Description
Vetiveria zizanioides, also known as khas khas, khas or khus grass, is native to India. It is a densely tufted grass, with long, thin and rigid leaves and can grow up to 1.5 meters high. The grass grows well in rich marshy soil that is found throughout the plains and lower hills of India, especially on the riverbanks. The plant is different from the other grass forms, in that instead of having mat-like root systems, it befits in growing downwards and can grow up to 2-4 meters in depth. The plant is well known for its oil that is used in medicine and perfumery. Along with this, Khas Khas is also used for cooling purposes, flavoring sharbats, and making mats, hand fans etc. Today the plant is cultivated in the North Indian states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab and in the South Indian states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Plant Chemicals
Its main chemical components are benzoic acid, vetiverol, furfurol, a and b-vetivone, vetivene and vetivenyl vetivenate. The chemical components of the oil obtained from the plant is benzoic acid, furfurol, vetivene, vetivenyl vetivenate, terpinen-4-ol, 5-epiprezizane, Khusimene, a-muurolene, Khusimone, Calacorene, ß-humulene, a-longipinene, ?-selinene, d-selinene,d-cadinene, valencene, Calarene,-gurjunene, a-amorphene, Epizizanal, 3-epizizanol, Khusimol, Iso-khusimol, Valerenol, ß-vetivone, a-vetivone, vetivazulene.

Uses & Benefits of Khus Khus
Khus khus is a boon for farmers in warm climates, as it prevents soil erosion. As the plant grows exclusively downward, it helps to block the runoff of surface water and conserves soil. Hence, it is used to create boundaries for rice paddies.
The fragrant essential oil obtained from the plant root is quite famous throughout the world. It is used in high-end perfumes, for its fixative properties.
The mats made from khus khus plant are hung in the house, to cool rooms during summer. Moreover, they even add a pleasant aroma in the house, when sprinkled with water occasionally.
The herb is tied in a muslin cloth and added to the earthen pots filled with water, to lend its distinctive flavor and aroma to it.
It has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects that provide relief from inflammations in circulatory system and nervous system.
Khus khus is used to create a tonic bath, which is the reason why it is often included in high quality soaps. In addition, it finds an application in combat lice as well.
It is a boon for individuals suffering from rheumatism, arthritis, gout, muscular aches, dryness and cracking of skin etc.
The oil obtained from khus khus has sedative effect and aids in the treatment of emotional outbursts, such as anger, anxiety, epileptic and hysteric attacks, restlessness, nervousness, etc.

Caution
The oil obtained from khus khus is known to be safe, non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing.

[MysteRy]

Cape Periwinkle

Botanical Name(s): Vinca Rosea (Catharanthus roseus)
Family Name: Apocynaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
Class: Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Tribe: Alsloniae
Genus: Catharanthus
Species: C. roseus
Popular Name(s): Rose Periwinkle, Madagascar Periwinkle, Sadabahar, Old Maid
Parts Used: Seed, Root, Whole plant, Leaf
Habitat: Grows throughout India and found as an escape in waste places and sandy tracts

Description
Cape periwinkle is an attractive, evergreen shrub, bearing graceful pink or white salverform flowers. The plant is native to southeastern and eastern Madagascar. It gained world recognition after the European colonists exported it as an ornamental plant. Cape periwinkle can grow in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The glossy leaves of the plant are oval to oblong in shape and arranged in opposite pairs, with a pale midrib and a short petiole. The flowers usually have five petal-like lobes in it.

The blooms of the wild periwinkle are a pale pink, with a purple "eye" in the center. The plant can grow very well in poor and well-drained soils and will suffer if the soil is very healthy or too fertile. You have to pinch back the buds early in the season, to encourage branching and a fuller plant. Madagascar periwinkle doesn't need deadheading - the flowers drop off when they finish blooming. The plant has been a boon in the treatment of many ailments, especially leukemia occurring in children. However, it can be easily infected by phytoplasmas that causes the leaves to reduce in size.

Plant Chemicals
It contains more than 70 alkaloids mostly of the indole type. It has medicinal importance owing to the presence of alkaloids like ajamalicine, serpentine and reserpine vinblastine.

Uses & Benefits of Cape Periwinkle
The Chinese used Cape periwinkle for making herbal medicine that was used in the treatment of numerous diseases, like diabetes, Hodgkin's disease and malaria.
The plant possesses chemical substances like vinblastine and vincristine, which help in the treatment of leukemia in children and lymphoma.
The group of alkaloids present in it can be potentially used in the treatment of cancer. However, the alkaloids have certain side effects on the body.
The root bark of Cape periwinkle has been used traditionally for its calming effect and its ability to reduce blood pressure, as it contains the alkaloid Alstonine.
It is also used in the treatment of menstrual problems, constipation and asthma.

Caution
Cape periwinkle is poisonous in nature and hence, it should not be ingested and smoked. The plant is reported to cause poisoning in grazing animals.
Though the plant has been used in the treatment of cancer by doctors, it has yielded undesirable side effects.
It can be hallucinogenic, if consumed orally. In addition, it can also cause kidney or nerve problem. Hence, only low dosage of the plant should be taken, that too under the supervision of doctor.