Sadabahar – Vinca Rosea Home Remedies, Health Benefits

By Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD (Ayu), PhD
Sadabahar – Vinca plant is now well known in modern medicine. Vincristine and Vinblastine, extracted from these plants, are used in cancer treatment. The plant is called Sadapushpa in Sanskrit, which means ‘ever blooming’.

Botanical name: Vinca rosea, Catharanthus roseus G. Don
Family: Apocyanaceae family. (karavira kula)

Vernacular names

The plant is recognized by different names as below-
Bengali-Nayantara
Kannada-Sadapushpa,Masanada hoo,Sanna kanagile
Marathi- Sadaphool
Punjabi- Ratanjot
Malayalam-Ushamalari
English- Madagascar Periwinkle.

In the 1950s the plant was studied for its medicinal properties and they identified four important compounds out of which two important alkaloids, vincristine and vinblastine are still used for treatment of certain blood cancers. The other important chemical components are ajmalicine, reserpine, serpentine, catharanthaine, lochnerin, lochnericine, vinorelbine, vindesine, vincamine and vinorelbine. The efforts are being carried to use the Periwinkle extract/alkaloids in the treatment of various grave ill-health conditions like malignant lymphomas, neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, Kaposi’s sarcoma, etc.

This made the modern world to peep into the depth of the plant in various other respects also. Among them anti hypertensive, anti-depression, anti-diabetic properties are found out and hence the crude plant is also used in various concerned disorders and symptom complex conditions.

Home remedies

As wound healer

1. Sadabahar home remedies:
The leaves of Sadapushpa are taken along with turmeric and fine paste is made. This is applied on the wounds2 to 3 times a day. This serves as a good wound healer.

In diabetes

2. Root powder in Type II DM:
The fresh roots are collected and washed thoroughly. This is dried under shade and fine powder is made. 250-500 mg (1-2 pinch) of this powder is taken along with little honey. This has a potent effect against type II DM.

In hypertension

3. Leaf juice in borderline Hypertension:
White variety of periwinkle is selected and its 5 fresh leaves are collected. This is pounded well and fresh juice is obtained. 2-3 ml of this juice is taken in the early morning or in late nights. This helps to control the blood pressure.

For irregular menstruation

4. Leaf decoction in irregular menstruation:
6 to 8 fresh leaves of the plant are boiled with 2 cups of water and reduced to half a cup. This is taken regularly for three consecutive menstrual cycles. This controls the heavy menstrual flow and regularizes scanty flow too. This kind of folk practice is evident in Sirsi, Honnavar, Bhatkal, Ellapur places of Karnataka.

For nasal, oral bleeding

5.Sadabahar flower remedy for nasal and mouth bleeding: 
Sadabahar flower and pomegranate tender buds are taken and fresh juice is obtained. This is instilled to the nostrils in case of nasal bleeding. If it is retained in the mouth  bleeding gums, mouth ulcers and sore throats are also relieved.

For insect bites

6. Local application in Insect and wasp bites:
Fresh juice/fine paste of the leaves if applied to the bite area of the insects and wasps. This reduces irritation and swelling.

For acne, scars

7. Fine paste of vinca, neem and turmeric in acne and related skin scars:
Equal quantity of fresh leaves of vinca and neem and turmeric fresh rhizomes are taken and fine paste is made. This is applied over the acne lesions and skin scars. Regular application gives excellent results in this condition.

 Last drop
As the plant Sadabahar is hot in potency and loaded with multiple chemical constituents it should be used with utmost care. Even while using it as a home remedy, enough care should be taken among the people who are sensitive to its few chemical constituents. Especially the pregnant/lactating mothers, who are the victims of ulcer or acid peptic disorders are better to avoid it.
Click to consult Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD (Ayu), PhD

Sthanika Karma (Systemic Action)

External Use – It has Anti microbial and Anti poisonous actions. Indicated in Animal poisoning
Nervous System – Calm down nervous system and induce sleep. Can be given in insomnia, Anxiety disorders etc.
Digestive system – Carminative and Absorbent. Leaf paste is indicated in Dysentery.
Circulatory System – Indicated in hypertension
Excretory system – Indicated in Diabetes (Madhumeha)
Satmikarana – Raktarbudanasana

4 comments on “Sadabahar – Vinca Rosea Home Remedies, Health Benefits

  • Pooja

    01/11/2018 - 6:04 pm

    Is phool ko sugar me bhi use kr skte h? Agr han to kaise

    Reply to comment
    • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

      02/05/2019 - 10:21 pm

      Iska phool ko chaav me dry karke uska powder ko 1 gram per day sugar me diya jaata hai. Lekin doctor se sampark kar ke salah le.

      Reply to comment
  • Parul

    21/01/2021 - 9:10 pm

    Respected Sir,

    Can you please tell me the reference (research paper, Book etc) of the listed uses of Catharanthus roseus.

    Reply to comment

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