Periwinkle Tea: Traditional Wisdom vs Modern Science

Periwinkle tea has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in Europe and Asia. However, periwinkle is more famous for its medicinal qualities than its use as a herbal tea. Here are some health benefits attributed to periwinkle herb tea:

• Does periwinkle tea help with circulation? Madagascar Periwinkle is traditionally used for its blood circulation benefits. Periwinkle tea may be able to help improve blood flow due to its bioactive compounds. However, scientific evidence is still limited.

• Periwinkle tea memory improvement benefits: Periwinkle contains alkaloids, like vincamine, which according to Bioorganic & Medicinal Cemistry¹ may have a positive effect on blood flow to the brain. This may enhance mental clarity and focus.

• “Periwinkle tea antioxidant properties: Like many herbs, Periwinkle contains potent bioactive compounds² with strong antioxidant properties that help fight free radicals in the body and reduce oxidative stress. Consuming Periwinkle tea may help improve your health by protecting healthy cells.

Periwinkle Tea vs Other Herbal Teas

Periwinkle tea is made from the leaves of the Vinca minor³ or Vinca major plant, both of which are types of evergreen plants in the Apocynaceae family. Periwinkle leaves are steeped in hot water to make an herbal tea.

Although Periwinkle herb tea itself is not as common or widely known as other herbal teas, we will examine some of its traditional uses, benefits and potential side effects in this article.

Traditional Medicinal Uses of Periwinkle Tea

European folk medicine, it was often used for memory enhancement and circulatory issues. In Madagascar, where the Madagascan Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) originates, it is used for diabetes management.

The Caribbean islands also have a rich history of using periwinkle in traditional healing practices. So let’s look closer at some cultural uses of Periwinkle herb tea:

Cognitive and Memory Enhancement

Periwinkle tea in traditional European medicine: Periwinkle tea benefits for cognitive function is popular in European Folk Medicine. Historically, the tea is for enhancing mental clarity and focus by Traditional healers. Periwinke is often combined with other herbs to improve cognitive benefits.

Evidence-based periwinkle tea benefits: Modern researchers confirm periwinkleherbal tea benefits for cognitive function. One study, in the Journal of the Neurological Sciences, looked at the effects of vicamine⁴ on elderly patients with dementia and found modest improvements in cognitive performance, though the results were not universally significant.

Circulation and Blood Flow

In the African traditional medicine system periwinkle tea ss often prescribed as part of a holistic treatment approach for treating high blood pressure. Can periwinkle tea lower blood pressure? Because natural compounds in periwinkle do relax blood vessels and improve circulation the tea can help lower blood pressure.

However, Vincamine in Madagascar periwinkle has been studied to detemine its ability to help manage blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular health. The results were generally mild, so periwinkle tea should not be considered a first-line treatment for hypertension.

Periwinkle Tea And Blood Sugar

Traditional Caribbean periwinkle tea uses: Known locally as “ram-goat rose” or “old maid,” periwinkle often found growing wild in the Caribbean. Periwinkle herb tea, prepared by steeping the leaves has been a longstanding Jamaican traditional treatment for diabetes, as well as in Trinidad.

Is Periwinke tea good for diabetes? Modern research has confirmed hypoglycemic properties through multiple studies. The 2016 Journal of Ethnopharmacology⁵ study identified active compounds that may contribute to significant blood sugar lowering effects in animal models.

Current medical research suggests periwinke as potential complementary treatment, though under medical supervision.

Vinca Alkaloids Effects

Vinca alkaloids, key compounds in periwinkle that have garnered attention due to their various health benefits. However, most research used isolated compounds or standardized extracts, not traditional tea preparations. In addition, many studies are preliminary or animal-based.

Here’s a summary of some areas where research has been conducted:

Scientific Research	Findings
Cancer Research	Inhibits cancer cell division by interfering with microtubule formation. Induces apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells. Potentially increases the efficacy of other chemotherapy drugs. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews
Neuroprotective Properties	Boosts blood flow and brain metabolism. In older adults with memory issues, it improves attention, concentration, and memory better than a placebo. Promotes neurogenesis (growth of new neurons) in animal models. Potentially beneficial for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. International Research Journal of Plant Science
Circulatory Health	Increases blood flow to the brain, beneficial for conditions like dizziness, vertigo, and poor circulation. Prevents the narrowing of blood vessels, reducing the risk of stroke and vascular dementia. Studies show improved cerebral circulation without significantly affecting blood pressure. Journal of the Neurological Sciences
Antidiabetic Benefits	Exhibits significant anti-hyperglycemic activity. Improves body weight in diabetic rats.  Improves lipid profile in diabetic rats. Promotes regeneration of pancreatic β-cells. International Journal of Endocrinology

Although Vinca alkaloids methanolic extracts show promising medicinal benefits, further studies are needed to fully understand how they work.

Periwinkle Tea Preparation

Periwinkle Tea Recipe: Here’s a simple Periwinkle herb tea recipe you can try at home:

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon dried periwinkle leaves (Vinca minor)
• 1 cup boiling water
• Honey or lemon (optional, for taste)

Instructions:

1. Place the dried periwinkle leaves in a teapot or a heat-resistant mug.
2. Pour the boiling water over the leaves.
3. Cover and let it steep for about 5-10 minutes.
4. Strain the tea to remove the leaves.
5. Add honey or lemon if desired for additional flavor.
6. Enjoy your soothing periwinkle tea!

Keep in mind that while the herbal tea is often used for its medicinal properties, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating it into your regular diet. This is especially important if you have any existing health conditions or are taking medications.

Periwinkle Tea Side Effects

Most research indicates that periwinkle is relatively safe when used appropriately, especially in moderate doses. However, the compounds in periwinkle tea can cause side effects when used incorrectly. Common side effects of periwinkle tea include:

Vincamine Availability and Use in Medicine

Vincamine, one of the key compounds in Periwinkle tea is available in several forms:

• Prescription medications: In some countries, vincamine is used as a prescription drug (e.g., under brand names like Oxybral or Vinpocetine). It is typically used for improving memory, treating symptoms of cognitive impairment, and improving circulation in the brain.

• Dietary supplements: Vincamine is also available as a supplement in some regions, often marketed as a memory enhancer or circulatory support.

However, the use of vincamine as a supplement is regulated differently across countries, and in some places, its availability is limited due to concerns over safety and dosage control.

Who Should Avoid Periwinkle Tea

Because vincamine affects blood circulation, people with low blood pressure, heart conditions, or who are on certain medications (especially blood thinners or antihypertensive drugs) should be cautious when using vincamine.

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Conclusion

Modern scientific research has validated many traditional uses of periwinkle tea. While research on Periwinkle compounds such as vincamine show promising results, particularly in cognitive health and circulation, the evidence is still evolving.

Vincamine appears to be most beneficial when used in medical or controlled settings rather than as a general-purpose supplement, especially considering its toxicity potential in higher doses.

Therefore, it is essential that traditional preparation methods and dosing guidelines should align with current safety recommendations. Combining traditional knowledge with scientific validation offers a more comprehensive understanding of the potential health benefits of periwinkle tea.

References

1. Ren, Yulin et al. “Vincamine, from an antioxidant and a cerebral vasodilator to its anticancer potential.” Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry vol. 92 (2023): 117439. doi:10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117439 ↩︎
2. Guedes, Joana G et al. “The leaf idioblastome of the medicinal plant Catharanthus roseus is associated with stress resistance and alkaloid metabolism.” Journal of experimental botany vol. 75,1 (2024): 274-299. doi:10.1093/jxb/erad374 ↩︎
3. Loh, Ky. “Know the Medicinal Herb: Catharanthus roseus (Vinca rosea).” Malaysian family physician : the official journal of the Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia vol. 3,2 123. 31 Aug. 2008 ↩︎
4. Lim, C C et al. “The effect of an acute infusion of vincamine and ethyl apovincaminate on cerebral blood flow in healthy volunteers.” British journal of clinical pharmacology vol. 9,1 (1980): 100-1. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2125.1980.tb04806.x ↩︎
5. Giovannini, Peter et al. “Medicinal plants used in the traditional management of diabetes and its sequelae in Central America: A review.” Journal of ethnopharmacology 184 (2016): 58-71. ↩︎

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