What is Catharanthus?
Catharanthus, or Madagascar Periwinkle, is a plant originating from Madagascar. It is a flowering perennial that can produce red, pink, purple or white flowers. This resistant plant has acclimatized to many tropical climate around the world, including Africa, India, Southern Europe and the Southern United States. It is often grown as a decorative supplement to flowerwater, but is also traditionally considered to be a medicinal plant. The alkaloid compounds that contain can be useful in the treatment of a number of conditions, including diabetes, asthma and various types of cancer. Catharanthus usually has a wooden stem and can reach a height and spread of 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 m). Its elongated, glossy leaves can be 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm). Its flowers usually have five petals and can be purple, white, pink or red. Catharanthus flowers through the summer months.
Catharanthus generally prefers the full sun to a partial shadow and is resistant to drought. The plant usually does not apply to the timescut when it is connected. Although tropical plant, Catharanthus can often prosper and bloom in colder areas in summer. Catharanthus can often be cultivated in the country in the climate that do not experience frost. It can be cultivated as a container plant in frost -sensitive regions, although it should usually be maintained inside during the colder part of the year.
Madagascar Periwinkle is a popular flowering accessory because it has clear flowers that persist throughout the season. The plant also contains alkaloids, which have long been used. Traditionally, Catharanthus was used to treat diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, menstruation and constipation problems. Modern medicine believes that the alkaloid -present in Catharanthus is useful for the treatment of various types of cancer. Leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, skin cancer and lymphoma are some of the cancer types that Catharanthus can treat.
Despite your healingThe Madagascar Periwinkle is considered a toxic plant. It is known that grazing animals experience poisoning too much. Those who want to use Madagascar Periwinkle for medicinal purposes would be well recommended that they only do so under medical supervision.