Steinmetz:Vinca

Vinca minor

Also known as (or relevant to) Vinca minor Vinca major Family Apocynaceae English Names Periwinkle Ground Ivy Natural Habitat Europe (including Great Britain) Caucasus Asia Minor Part(s) Used Herba Vincae pervincae

Constituent(s) vinin (alkaloid) vincin = vincoside (bitter principle) tannin pectin carotin saponin Action tonic haemostatic astringent galactagogue diuretic depurative

Vinca rosea

Also known as (or relevant to) Vinca rosea Lochnera rosea Family Apocynaceae English Names Soldier's palm Natural Habitat South Africa North Queensland (Australia) tropical countries Part(s) Used Herba Vincae roseae

Constituent(s) an alkaloid (which is a heart poison) Action anti-diabetic; it is said to be more efficacious than Insulin but said to be toxic in large doses Any benefit derived by diabetics from the plant is due probably to the weak digitalis and purgative actions