Periwinkle
Vinca major
Also Known as Greater Periwinkle, Large Periwinkle or Blue Buttons
History: The Periwinkle herb was introduced into North America from Europe during the mid-1700s. At that time, Europeans used the plant, which has bright pink-purple hued flowers, as an ornament. Today Periwinkle grows throughout much of the warmer parts of the world. Medicinally, the plant has been used to help a range of maladies from ocular inflammation, diabetes, and hemorrhage to treating insect stings and cancers.
Modern Uses: The most well studied, and arguably the best use of periwinkle, is for its nootropic benefit from the concentrated extract of vincamide or vinpocetine. They are sued to improve memory and cognition, and amelliorate or prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of demetia.
Active Ingredients: vincamine,vanillic-acid, ursolic-acid,p-coumaric-acid, beta-sitosterol, reserpine , tannin
Actions: astringent, tonic, laxative
Complementary Herbs: Cranesbill, Agrimony