Plants give us oxygen so we may be able to live on this planet. They are amazing living things, and for some people, they provide a sense of relaxation to whoever goes near plants or whoever has a garden. But in the world we live in today, plants become less and less each day. Companies have been destroying forests and other habitats that not only animals are affected, but plants as well. People don’t usually know the benefits of having plants around.
One plant, in particular, gives the feeling of happiness due to its vibrant color. It also does wonders because it can be ingested and is safe for human consumption. We are talking about rosy periwinkle plants. This plant is also known as Madagascar periwinkle, named after where it was initially discovered. This plant can survive the drought months and can survive with little water. They are most common in tropical countries, but they are also grown in the US.
Rosy periwinkle flowers have a delicate pink color. They have small petals and leaves up to 3 inches in size, depending on the cultivator. Although some deem this plant poisonous once ingested, it is still commercially made into medications. Below is our list of fun facts about rosy periwinkle.
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1. Rosy Periwinkle Is Used to Produce Vinblastine
Vinblastine is a chemical used together with other medications to treat cancer. It takes about 2,000 lbs. of rosy periwinkle to produce 1 gram of vinblastine.
2. Its Extract Is Used to Treat Wasp Stings
This is more common in India. They squeeze out the fresh juices of the periwinkle leaves and use it to treat wasp stings. Wasp stings can be deadly if not treated immediately.
3. Used to Treat Puffy Eyes
In Puerto Rico, the plant’s flowers are infused with their teas to treat puffy eyes.
4. It’s Used to Treat Leukemia
In the 1960s, children with leukemia’s survival rate were below 10%. This was before scientists found out that this plant can be used to treat certain types of cancer. Now, thanks to this plant, the survival rate of children with leukemia is at 90%.
5. Rosy Periwinkle Is a Source of Alkaloids
Rosy periwinkle plants produce 70 different kinds of alkaloids, which is an excellent help in the medical field.
6. It’s Used to Treat Diabetes
In the Asian countries of China and the Philippines, rosy periwinkle is boiled and made into a tea to fight against diabetes. They help retain healthy levels of insulin in the body and to stabilize blood pressure.
7. It Helps in Curbing Bleeding
This plant can be used to control bleeding in wounds, thus healing faster than usual. This is also used to help with the massive flow of menstruation and menopause for women.
8. It Helps Enhance Memory
The leaves and seeds have high amounts of vincamine, which is an alkaloid that helps with memory. This improves the blood circulation in the brain that leads to more reliable retention of memories. This plant may also be used to prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
9. It Helps Relieve Stress and Anxiety
As mentioned above, this plant helps to regulate blood flow and steadying blood pressure. This also affects our moods, which can eliminate stress and anxiety.
10. Eliminates Scars Due to Acne
This plant helps with reducing scar marks on the face and even on the body. It is usually mixed together with neem and turmeric, which also helps make the skin lighter with regular use.
What Do You Think?
These facts are fun and shocking at the same time. Who knew this adorable little plant have so much to give to the world? As with any other medication, use this plant with precaution. Some might say the effects are sound, but for some, the results might be harmful. There are still many studies to be done on this plant because of its potential side effects. And being safe is always better than being sick because of too much consumption.
Take Precautions
If you are planning on drinking rosy periwinkle tea, it is advisable to stick to up to 4 cups a day. The more you drink the tea, the more you can have adverse side effects like low blood pressure. Breastfeeding mothers should not ingest this plant, and those with liver, kidney, and lung diseases should stay away from this plant. Make sure to keep children from ingesting the plant before going to the doctor to confirm that you can indeed use this plant as medication.
As for those who live in tropical countries, this could be a mind-blowing knowledge for you. We all know that these plants can be found anywhere, and they are most likely to be plants at home that adds color to the house. Now that you have learned about its benefit let us put this plant to good use.
Get Consultation About Trying Rosy Periwinkle
Just like in taking any kind of medication, please consult your doctor before trying this out. It is better to ask for their opinion if you want to stop taking synthetic drugs and opt for herbal medication instead. Your doctor knows what’s best for you, so you have to listen to their opinions first.
Doing your research before trying it out on yourself is also an excellent way to prevent any form of illness or overdosage of the plant. Although this is a plant, there are chemicals present in the plant that could be foreign to our bodies. If we do not have something serious with our bodies, please refrain from trying this out. You may try the topical medication of this plant, but please don’t try it orally until you know that it is safe to use on you. With this being said, it is still a beautiful sight to see this plant in your garden, and at the moment you need this plant for medication, you have your own in your garden, ready to be used.
