Close

You must be logged in to love this post! Please sign in:

Close

You must be logged in to follow this post! Please sign in:

Mary (Clemmons, Nc) on 08/01/2016

I have just started researching about Vinca...or Periwinkle. I actually grow some of the flowers in my garden and for some reason have never learned of its medicinal purposes. I have no idea what kind of Periwinkle/Vinca that I have growing, but I do know it's a very tenacious plant and seems to even flourish the extreme heat and droughts here in NC. However, I had read somewhere that it was supposed to be helpful for the hearing... and since I've lately had a problem with hearing, I wanted to take something natural to see if it would help.

I'm a bit worried though about the Periwinkle's poisonous issues? Also, I would really like to know how come the Pharmaceutical companies manage to make a drug from it. I didn't think they could patent anything that was natural?

I'd appreciate any info regarding my questions since I'm eager to learn more and possibly start taking some of it.

Thanks!

REPLY   3      

Replied By Jennifer (Texas) on 09/01/2016

I have used vinpocetine supplements (made from the seeds of periwinkle) to help with memory while I have been studying and have had adrenal fatigue. My ND was fine with me using it.

I believe the reason the FDA can make and patent a drug from any herb is that they isolate the constituent they want to use and make a drug from or including that constituent. So they are not patenting the herb but the drug they made using something from the herb. In fact, it seems that many companies do this - skin care, supplements, etc. - and then patent their product. It doesn't mean the product has the whole plant in it, it is often an extract or part of the plant. By the time we get it in a prescription or other form, the actual strength you are getting is not all that great - IMO!

REPLY   10