FolkKB

Common Periwinkle

Vinca minor

Vinca minor is a perennial evergreen plant used in various traditional medicine systems. It has been historically applied as a lactifuge, diuretic, and astringent, with uses ranging from treating hypertension and bacterial infections to managing eczema, diarrhea, and hemorrhoids. Scientific evidence regarding its therapeutic properties is limited, though some studies suggest the alkaloid vincamine may attenuate alcoholic liver injury by modulating specific biological axes. Research has also focused on its thermal tolerance and the identification of its endophytic fungi. No major safety issues or notable drug interactions have been recorded in the available data.

At a glance
Traditionally for
bleeding · depurative
Traditions
Western phytotherapy · traditional
Best evidence
D
Cautions
—

Informational only. Traditional use does not mean proven effectiveness. Evidence and safety vary — check the cited sources.

Traditional use

  • bleeding Western phytotherapy T3 DRDUKE
  • depurative Western phytotherapy T3 DRDUKE
  • astringent traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • diuretic Western phytotherapy T3 DRDUKE
  • hypertension Western phytotherapy T3 DRDUKE
  • bacterial infections traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • carminative Western phytotherapy T3 DRDUKE
  • catarrh traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • diarrhea traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • dysentery traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • eczema traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • emetic Western phytotherapy T3 DRDUKE
  • galactagogue traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • hemorrhoids traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • lactifuge Western phytotherapy T3 DRDUKE

What the science says

  • Dark and light purple Vinca minor flowers showed slightly higher heat tolerance but still had narrower thermal safety margins compared to white flowers. D PMID
  • This study identifies key enzymes responsible for C16 stereochemistry in sarpagan and akuammiline alkaloid biosynthesis across several plant species. D PMID
  • The study developed a primer design workflow using mbc-prime to selectively amplify endophytic fungi from Vinca minor samples, reducing host DNA amplification. D PMID
  • Vinca minor's vincamine attenuates alcoholic liver injury by modulating a CDK1-glycolysis-NLRP3 axis. D PMID
  • The study found that the Bacillus strain Kol B9, isolated from Vinca minor, showed strong antagonistic activity against Fusarium spp., promoted cucumber growth, and reduced Fusarium infection effects. D PMID

Frequently asked questions

What is Common Periwinkle?

Common Periwinkle (Vinca minor) is a plant documented in FolkKB's traditional-medicine reference, drawn from sourced literature and cross-checked against the evidence.

What is Common Periwinkle traditionally used for?

Traditional sources record Common Periwinkle for: bleeding, depurative, astringent, diuretic, hypertension, bacterial infections. This reflects traditional use, not a proven medical treatment.

Which traditions use Common Periwinkle?

Common Periwinkle appears in these traditions in our sources: Western phytotherapy, traditional.

What does the scientific evidence say about Common Periwinkle?

5 sourced findings are recorded for Common Periwinkle; the strongest carries evidence grade D. For example: Dark and light purple Vinca minor flowers showed slightly higher heat tolerance but still had narrower thermal safety margins compared to white flowers.

How strong is the evidence for Common Periwinkle?

The strongest finding for Common Periwinkle carries evidence grade D — preliminary or traditional. Grades run A (strongest) to D (preliminary or traditional).

Is Common Periwinkle safe? What are the side effects?

No major safety issues are recorded for Common Periwinkle in our sources, but the data may be incomplete. Consult a qualified professional before use.

Does Common Periwinkle interact with medications?

No drug interactions are recorded for Common Periwinkle in our sources. This does not rule them out — check with a pharmacist.

What are the common names of Common Periwinkle?

Common Periwinkle is also known as: Барвинок малый, Petite pervenche.

Is Common Periwinkle a proven treatment?

No. FolkKB is informational only. Traditional use and early findings are not proof of efficacy or safety — consult a qualified professional and never self-treat.

Sources

  1. T3 Dr. Duke's Ethnobotanical Database public domain (USDA ARS — attribute Dr. Duke's)
  2. T2 Stereochemical insights into sarpagan and akuammiline alkaloid biosynthesis. literature abstract metadata
  3. T2 A discriminative primer design workflow enables selective metabarcoding, demonstrated using long-read sequencing of endophytic fungi. literature abstract metadata
  4. T2 Biosurfactant-producing Bacillus spp. suppress Fusarium via fungal membrane disruption and promote cucumber growth. literature abstract metadata
  5. T2 Thermal regulation of flowers: color-driven differences in radiation absorption, cooling, and heat tolerance. literature abstract metadata
  6. T2 Vincamine attenuates alcoholic liver injury through modulation of a CDK1-glycolysis-NLRP3 immunometabolic axis. literature abstract metadata

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