Tag: Catharanthus roseus

Despite its long history in folk medicine, the Madagascar periwinkle was found to be ineffective and dangerous during scientific trials for diabetes, instead leading to a breakthrough in cancer treatment. This raises the critical question: is periwinkle good for diabetic patients, or are the risks too severe for self-treatment?

Despite its ornamental beauty and use in pharmaceutical applications, all parts of the Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) are highly toxic if ingested. This plant contains powerful poisonous chemicals known as vinca alkaloids, which can lead to severe health issues and even be fatal.

According to reputable medical sources like WebMD, the raw periwinkle plant is unsafe for oral consumption and can cause severe side effects, including nerve, kidney, and liver damage. This critical safety information directly contradicts claims of health benefits from drinking periwinkle water.

Periwinkle is a common name that refers to both the medicinal plant species, like the Madagascar periwinkle (*Catharanthus roseus*), and the edible marine snail (*Littorina littorea*). However, the minerals in periwinkle vary dramatically depending on which type is being discussed, with the sea snail offering a rich source of dietary minerals, while the plant is known for its potent alkaloids rather than its mineral content.

While sadabahar, also known as Madagascar periwinkle (*Catharanthus roseus*), is widely used in traditional medicine and prized for its ornamental blooms, all parts of the plant, including the flowers, are toxic to humans and should not be consumed. This beautiful but dangerous plant contains potent alkaloids that can cause serious health complications if ingested.

According to studies, there is confusion around the term 'periwinkle' due to its multiple meanings, including a plant and a sea snail. For those wondering, the answer to 'does periwinkle contain iron?' depends on which type of periwinkle you are considering, as the marine mollusk is a notable source while the plant contains a much smaller amount.

The term “periwinkle” can refer to both a nutritious sea snail and a medicinal plant with a completely different profile, leading to significant confusion about its benefits. This article clarifies what nutrients periwinkle gives, highlighting the distinct properties of the edible aquatic mollusk and the alkaloid-rich land plant.

The term "periwinkle" can refer to both a genus of flowering plants (*Catharanthus*) and an edible marine snail (*Tympanotonus fuscatus*), a distinction crucial for understanding if periwinkle has cholesterol. A recent study confirmed the edible mollusc contains a small amount of cholesterol.

According to nutritional databases, the edible marine periwinkle snail is a rich source of Vitamin B12, containing approximately 12% of the recommended daily allowance per 100 grams, a vital nutrient notably absent in the toxic periwinkle plant. This critical distinction highlights the difference in what vitamins are in periwinkle, depending on the species.