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Pink catharanthus is a highly ornamental plant with valuable healing properties. Medicinal raw materials are used in official and traditional medicine.
Multi-colored catharanthus – a spectacular decoration of any garden and balcony
Where grows
Pink quarantus, or periwinkle, (Latin name – Vinca rosea) – a low evergreen shrub, belongs to the Kutrovye family. Synonymous designations – lochner pink and pervikl. Periwinkle, growing in the tropics and subtropics, reaches a height of 0,6 m. It is characteristic of the jungles of Madagascar, Southeast Asia.
In the conditions of the middle zone, the tropical periwinkle, until recently, was distributed as an indoor culture, it was quite rare. In the Kuban and the Caucasus, small plantations of pink catharanthus are grown for the needs of pharmaceuticals. Bush height up to 30 cm.
In the European part of the country, in a moderately warm climate, a small periwinkle species is grown in gardens. By properties, it differs from pink catharanthus. Periwinkle is a ground cover that often retains its leathery, glossy leaves under snow, especially in winters with mild frosts. In spring, a small periwinkle curtain up to 12-14 cm high is covered with lilac-blue flowers, 2-2,5 cm in diameter.
Chemical composition
Quarantus affects the human body, due to the presence of special substances – up to 100 alkaloids, about 80 of which prevent the development of cancer cells. Specific anticancer vinca alkaloids are included in pharmaceutical formulations. In addition to these important substances for the treatment of devastating diseases, pink periwinkle greens are rich in micro and macro elements. Allocate a sufficient amount of calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron and others. Despite the significant medicinal properties of pink periwinkle, it also has many contraindications.
Sorts
Breeders are constantly working on the emergence of new periwinkle hybrids, which are a true decoration of flower beds and container compositions. Flower shops offer a wide selection of catharanthus in different corolla colors. Particularly bright and expressive petals are in Tatu and Pacific varieties, which have several varieties that differ in shades.
Black Cherry
The Black Cherry periwinkle variety has a rich color of the petals – an intense pink-burgundy color shimmers into a velvety black patina when the light plays. Kataranthus pink vinca Tattoo Black Cherry (Tattoo Black Cherry) blooms for a long time, almost all summer. Corolla 4 to 6 cm in diameter. The compact bush branches luxuriantly, more than half a meter in diameter, without going beyond 20 cm in height.
In the variety type Tatu, the effect of luminescence from the corolla is noted at a certain time of the day
Papaya
The corollas of the pink catharanthus Tattoo Papaya have interesting colors, which have beautiful, delicate transitions of peach-salmon tints.
The leaves are lanceolate dark green, brightly emphasizing the delicate beauty of the Papaya variety. Corollas 4-6 cm wide. Periwinkle buds open throughout the summer.
The middle is very rich, dark, like in all varieties of the Tatu periwinkle, with elusive overflows of intense pink, turning into purple.
Raspberry
The petals of the rose wine catharanthus Tattoo Rasberry, according to reviews, are distinguished by a delicate, delicate carmine color. The shades of the corolla resonate with raspberry nuances, but without a dark-saturated color. A bush in full bloom impresses with the tenderness of color emanating from the opened buds. The rich green of the dense leaves is a winning backdrop for graceful flowers. The Tattoo Raspberry plant is highly branched, with lashes extending up to 50 cm.
To make the bush seem more magnificent, several roots of pink Rasberry periwinkle are planted in one pot.
of the Pacific
The cultivar of Catharanthus Pacifica is known for the charming colors of the corollas. Pacifica is distinguished by a variety of shades ranging from deep pink, turning into purple, to white with a pink center. In Catharanthus Pacifica Pink Ice, the petals of the lightest carmine color come from a deep pink center. An early-flowering bush actively forms new shoots with buds, rises to 30-35 cm. The crown spreads up to 40-50 cm. Before flowering, the bush overgrows with densely spaced, leathery, dark green leaves.
Flowers large, over 4-5 cm
Dandy
The flowers of the pink periwinkle, or kataranthus, Goldfinch can be of various shades, as seen on the branded packaging, from burgundy-pink to bluish-lilac and white with a raspberry center. Flowering is long. Miniature bushes are placed in the sun and provide abundant watering for lush flowering.
Seeds of the Shchegol variety can be selected according to the designations on the package: the main criterion is color
Burgundy
Belongs to the cultivar type Catharanthus pink Pacifica and expressive Burgundy. The middle of the flower is light, favorably emphasizing the color of the petals. The plant is very spectacular, ideal for balcony gardening.
The height of the periwinkle bush is up to 30 cm
Healing properties of pink catharanthus
Catharanthus became known to US scientists as a medicinal plant after World War II. American soldiers stationed in the Philippine Islands could not get the insulin they needed for some in time and were treated by using pink periwinkle leaves on the advice of local healers.
While investigating the ability of a tropical plant to lower sugar, researchers made an important discovery. In animals already ill with leukemia, which were tested in the laboratory, there were positive changes in the blood formula. So the alkaloids of cataranthus were determined, which prevent the development of metastases: vincaleukoblastin and leurocristin.
Healers of Southeast Asia and Madagascar use extracts from catharanthus for oncological diseases, trophic ulcers, diseases of the lungs, intestines, genitourinary organs and hypertension. Periwinkle pink is also used as an antibiotic, in addition to the recognized hypotensive, antitumor and antispasmodic qualities.
Application in medicine
More in-depth studies of the plant have led to the development of anticancer drugs in different countries. In Our Country, Rosevin is known, used to treat malignant tumors and mycosis fungoides. Although a complete cure with the preparations of this plant cannot be achieved. In addition, toxic substances adversely affect the body. In official medicine, such drugs are known based on rose catharanthus: Rozevin, or Vinblastine in international practice, Vincristine, Vinorelbine, Vindesin.
Folk remedies
Folk healers in Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and Madagascar, where periwinkle pink is widespread, use extracts from its raw materials in the treatment of diarrhea, tropical fever, and malaria. With the help of funds from a flowering shrub, wounds are healed, the condition is relieved after insect bites, with toothache, as well as high blood pressure, since in the catharanthus, as well as in the small periwinkle, there is a substance of reserves. Folk healers use their recipes, curing hemorrhoids, prostate, uterus with fibroids and polyps.
In Our Country, a popular recipe from periwinkle pink, as a blood purifier, if the lymphatic system is affected by a malignant tumor. Dried leaves of pink periwinkle (2 tablespoons) are poured into 250 ml of 70% alcohol and infused for 10 days in a place where light does not penetrate, at a temperature of 20 ° C. Then the tincture is filtered and taken 60 minutes before meals three times a day according to the following schedule:
- the first 14 days in 50 ml of water dissolve 5 drops of tincture;
- 7 days of rest;
- 50 drops of tincture are dissolved in 10 ml of water and taken for 14 days;
- 7 days rest.
The medicine from periwinkle pink is taken in this algorithm for 8 weeks, making a week break every 14 days. Start treatment again after 3 months.
A beautiful medicinal plant, but the anticarcinogenic properties of the tropical periwinkle do not lead to a complete recovery.
With inflammation of the small and large intestines, skin diseases, non-healing wounds of various origins, gangrene, an aqueous infusion of periwinkle pink is taken orally:
- 1 st. l. dry leaves fall asleep 250 ml of boiling water;
- continue to boil for 25-30 seconds;
- cool for half an hour;
- filter;
- drink, dissolving 1 tsp. in 50 ml of water, 1 hour before meals 2 or 3 times a day.
Skin diseases such as dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, fungal infections are treated by applying compresses from an alcohol extract of catharanthus.
Procurement and storage of raw materials
Catharanthus leaves are harvested from August 20 to September 10-15. Lay out in a room where direct rays of the sun do not penetrate, but there is a flow of air. Medicinal raw materials are suitable for a year, according to other sources – for 3 years.
Противопоказания
Rose catharanthus has a lot of toxic substances that cause side effects in the body when taking medicines. On the skin after compresses, allergic reactions or burns may occur. It is contraindicated to take any drugs based on periwinkle pink:
- pregnant and lactating;
- children;
- patients with low blood pressure;
- those who have a predisposition to allergies.
Conclusion
Pink catharanthus will decorate any flower arrangement in the garden and on the balcony. Dry raw materials of a tropical plant will help alleviate the condition in case of serious illnesses.
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