Pink periwinkle, or, as it is officially called, pink catharanthus, is an evergreen flowering subshrub from the Kutrovaceae family of the genus Catharanthus. Plant height is from thirty to sixty centimeters. The root system of pink periwinkle is taprooted, the root length is up to thirty-five centimeters. The main root contains numerous lateral roots, which are formed in adult plants. The root of a young shrub does not have lateral roots. The color of the root is light yellow, the aroma is very specific. The leaves of Catharanthus rosea are arranged oppositely and have a lanceolate shape. The petioles are short and quite thick. The length of the leaves is from two and a half centimeters to eight centimeters, the width is no more than three and a half centimeters. The surface of the leaf blades is shiny, bare, with pronounced pinnate venation, and has a dark green color. Periwinkle flowers are about three centimeters in diameter and are colored a rich pink-red color. The fruit of the plant is two sickle-shaped leaflets, up to five centimeters long and about three millimeters thick. The peduncle is particularly short. The seeds of the plant are black, small.

In the wild, catharanthus rosea is found exclusively on the island of Madagascar. In our country in Transcaucasia, the plant is cultivated as a medicinal annual. In addition, in many countries, including Russia, the shrub is grown as a houseplant. Pink periwinkle is widely used in medicine and is one of the most studied plants that have a pronounced antitumor effect. Based on the plant, the drug rosevin is produced, which is used in the treatment of such terrible diseases as hematosarcoma and lymphogranulomatosis.

Chemical composition of a unique plant

Before becoming the main component of the drug, the plant was subjected to serious research. According to their results, the following medicinal alkaloids belonging to the indole group were identified in the composition of rose periwinkle: ajmalicine, serpentine, lochnerine, perivine, vinblastine, virosine, vincristine, rosidine, leurosine, rhodivine, leurosivine and leurosidine. Since these substances have a medicinal effect, they are of interest to traditional healers and representatives of traditional therapy. In addition, the plant is rich in macro- and microelements, of which the maximum concentrations are: iron, potassium, zinc, calcium and magnesium.

Due to the unique antitumor properties of catharanthus rosea, it is grown on an industrial scale at the request of pharmaceutical enterprises. Oncologists highly value the plant as a powerful cytostatic agent of plant origin.

What is pink periwinkle used for in folk medicine?

If representatives of traditional medicine use the catharanthus rosea plant only in one capacity, then herbalists and traditional healers prescribe drugs from it for a much larger number of diseases. In alternative medicine, the plant is used as an antitumor, antibacterial, hypoglycemic and antihypertensive drug.

Pink periwinkle has an inhibitory effect on the division of pathological cells and leads to their death, which makes it possible to fight cancer. In addition, plant-based drugs disrupt metabolic processes in tumor cells, which also accelerates their death. This property of the plant makes it the main means of combating cancer in patients who, due to age or health reasons, cannot undergo chemotherapy courses. Catharanthus rosea, which helps with various forms of cancer, achieves maximum effectiveness in the treatment of leukemia and various sarcomas.

For prostatitis and prostate adenoma at any stage, treatment with rose vinca is used. The plant helps to inhibit pathological processes and prevent the transition of a benign process to a malignant one. Often, if you start taking vinca-based medications in a timely manner, you can get rid of the disease completely without surgery.

Uterine fibroids, which many women today face, both of childbearing age and those who have already experienced menopause, can also be cured with the help of catharanthus rosea. Myoma, which is a benign, rapidly growing neoplasm, is not able to resist the effects of the plant. The neoplasm cells, under the influence of unique alkaloids, begin to destroy, which contributes to the complete resorption of fibroids.

Polyps in the uterus and ovaries are also cured with catharanthus rosea. In this case, its effect on the body is the same as when getting rid of other tumors. At the same time, it is of particular value that the plant does not allow even aggressive neoplasms to degenerate. In addition, periwinkle is indicated for use in other tumors of the female reproductive system and infertility caused by them.

Traditional healers recognize the plant's highest antimicrobial properties, which can relieve the most severe purulent wounds and superficial gangrene. In addition to its excellent disinfectant effect, pink periwinkle also locally activates blood circulation, which has a beneficial effect on the processes of regeneration and tissue repair. For non-healing external ulcers, characterized by significant depth and the presence of a large number of purulent-necrotic masses, catharanthus has proven to be an ideal remedy. It is able to heal even those ulcers that have not gone away for several years.

Herbalists also prescribe the plant for inflammatory processes in the small and large intestines. Providing a mild analgesic effect and relieving inflammation, pink periwinkle quickly and effectively solves the problem.

In addition, catharanthus cures various skin irritations, eczema and fungal infections. For insect bites, the plant can have an antipruritic effect.

The plant is also useful for reducing blood sugar levels, as well as treating hemorrhoids, pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis, toothache and internal bleeding.

Contraindications to treatment with rosea periwinkle

Since the plant is particularly poisonous, before starting treatment you should consult a doctor or a very experienced herbalist, who will help you select the dosage as accurately as possible, taking into account all the characteristics of the body and determine the duration of the course of treatment. Categorical contraindications for treatment with drugs based on Vinca rosea are:

• pregnancy;
• breast-feeding;
• early childhood;
• hypotension;
• vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• peripheral nephritis;
• elevated temperature;
• allergic reaction.

It is unacceptable to ignore contraindications.

Recipes for herbal preparations

Antitumor infusion

Two tablespoons of dried and crushed periwinkle shoots and leaves are poured with a glass of alcohol and infused, shaking regularly, in a dark place for ten days. Use the drug strictly following the recommendations. For three weeks, the medicine is taken five drops diluted in a tablespoon of water, thirty minutes before meals. After this they take a week break. Then for the next three weeks, take ten drops, diluted in the same volume of water, and the same amount of time before meals.

For external use

Pour two tablespoons of dry leaves into a glass of water and, bringing to a boil, cook for one minute. After this, the broth is infused for thirty minutes and filtered. It is used as a rub and lotion. The course of treatment lasts until the wound is completely healed or irritation is relieved.

For diabetes and toothache

For this remedy, you need to prepare a decoction in the same way as for external use, but you need to take not two, but one spoon of the raw material. To reduce sugar, drink the medicine three times a day, an hour before meals, one teaspoon diluted in a quarter glass of water. For toothache, rinse the tooth by diluting a teaspoon of medicine in one hundred milliliters of water.

Blank

Only the above-ground part of the plant is harvested from late August to mid-September. Dry the material in the shade and with good ventilation, spreading it out in a thin layer. The medicinal plant is stored in paper bags or linen bags for no more than twelve months.

Pharmacotherapeutic group. Cytostatic, antitumor agent.

Description of the plant

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Rice. 10.32. Catharanthus pink

Catharanthus rosea leaves-folia catharanthi rosei
(pink periwinkle) - catharanthus roseus (l.) G. Don f. (= vinca rosea l.)
Sem. Kutrovye- apocynaceae
Other names: Perwinkle, Lochnera rosea.

Tropical evergreen subshrub 30-60 cm high (Fig. 10.32). The stem is almost cylindrical, often bare, highly branched (up to 65 shoots are formed in adult plants).

Leaves opposite, short-petiolate, entire, elliptical or oblong-elliptical with a wedge-shaped base; The venation is pinnate, the central vein protrudes from the lower side. The leaves are up to 8 cm long, up to 3.5 cm wide, they are leathery, shiny, dark green, sometimes pubescent on the underside.

Flowers regular, five-membered, with a double perianth, located in pairs in the leaf axils. The calyx is small, five-parted. The corolla is sphenolate, with a long tube and a wide five-parted limb, crimson-pink, pink or white.

Fetus- crescent-shaped dark brown bileaf with numerous seeds.

Composition of catharanthus

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Chemical composition of catharanthus

About 80 alkaloids of the indole series have been isolated from the aerial part of Catharanthus rosea, 26 of which are dimers.

Among the latter, alkaloids with antitumor activity were discovered; they are of particular interest
♦ vinblastine,
♦ vincristine,
♦ leurosine.

♦ vinblastine about 0.005%,
♦ vincristine - 0.001%.

Properties and application

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Pharmacological properties of catharanthus

Catharanthus rosea is of great interest for medicine due to antitumor activity, noted both in galenic preparations of the plant and in isolated alkaloids isolated from the plant.

The most active of the alkaloids in this regard are

• vinblastine and
• vincristine.

They have

• antitumor cytostatic activity,
• block cell mitosis at the metaphase stage,
• suppress the proliferation of tumor cells and lymphocytes,
• have a lesser effect on erythropoiesis.

In terms of the nature of its action, vinblastine is close to colchicine, although it has a completely different chemical structure from colchicine.

There is evidence that vincristine

• stimulates the function of the adrenal glands and
• increases corticosterone production.

This plays a role in its antitumor effect and increases antitumor immunity.

Application of catharanthus

Vinblastine prescribed for generalized forms

• lymphogranulomatosis,
• lympho- and hematosarcomas
• and other tumor diseases.

Vincristine Its chemical structure and mechanism of action are similar to vinblastine. Used in complex therapy

• acute leukemia,
• neuroblastoma,
• melanoma,
• breast cancer
• and other malignant tumors.

Semi-synthetic derivatives are obtained from vinblastine, which are also used as antitumor agents.

Spreading

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Spreading. The homeland of catharanthus is about. Java.

Habitat. Cultivated as an annual crop. Industrial production of raw materials is established in the semi-humid-subtropical climate zone (Georgia); in the Kubano-Priazovsky district of the Krasnodar Territory (Russia), in the temperate continental climate zone, as well as in the arid climate zone in the Chimkent region (Kazakhstan).

Procurement and storage of raw materials

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Preparation. Plants are mowed in the phase of mass flowering or the beginning of fruiting at a height of 10-15 cm from the soil surface.

Drying. In the air in the shade or in dryers at a temperature of 40-50 ºС. After drying, the leaves are threshed to separate and remove the stems.

Standardization. VFS 42-1106-81.

Storage. Raw materials are stored according to list B, in a cool place, protected from light. Shelf life: 1 year.

External signs of raw materials

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Broken, rarely whole leaves with a small amount of other parts of the plant (leafy stem tips with buds, flowers or unripe fruits, pieces of thin stems, flowers and unripe fruits).
Leaves short-petiolate, elliptical or oblong-elliptic with a wedge-shaped base, entire edges, slightly longitudinally wrinkled, with pinnate venation and a central vein protruding from the lower side.
Stem rounded or flattened, up to 0.2 cm thick, with two pairs of slightly protruding ribs. The flowers are regular, five-membered, tubular-funnel-shaped, the corolla tube is 8-10 times longer than the calyx.
Fruit- long leaflets with numerous oval pitted seeds.
Color leaves are dark green, stems are yellowish-green with a purple tint, flowers are yellowish or pale lilac, fruits are brownish-green, mature seeds are black, unripe seeds are greenish-brown, brown.
Smell peculiar, unpleasant. Taste do not define (!).

Catharanthus is a herbaceous medicinal plant species, it contains up to 65 alkaloids, virosig, perquin, vincristine, leurosine are especially valued, they are one of the most reliable preventive agents that protects against tumor formation. Catharanthus is popular not only among traditional healers, but also among oncologists. In cases where a person is diagnosed with a malignant neoplasm, the aerial part of the catharanthus is used, and chemotherapy drugs are prepared on its basis. Traditional medicine uses the stems and leaves of catharanthus to prepare infusions, oils, decoctions and tinctures.

Description of catharanthus

The seeds of the plant are contained in the fruits, which are two crescent-shaped leaflets. The seeds are small, pit-shaped and black.

Catharanthus has simple flowers, they are large in size, have up to five petals, and can be of different colors - white, pink or purple. The center of the flower contains a bright yellow center. They do not have a strong aroma, but they bloom constantly, starting in late spring and ending in mid-autumn.

The plant should be collected only when it contains a large amount of alkaloids; a large number of them are found in the herbal part; it is recommended to collect it in September, when the seeds are already fully ripe. Young shoots and leaves are recommended to be dried in the shade; they can be stored for no more than one year, after which the catharanthus completely loses all its beneficial properties.

Catharanthus is a medicinal species; it is often planted in pots; it can be propagated by vegetative and seed methods. Most of all he loves sand, peat, humus. Seeds should not be sown very deeply; it is best to do this in early spring. In order for them to germinate well, they need a dark area, so after sowing they are recommended to be covered with a dark-colored film. The seedlings need to be exposed to the light. In winter, the flower does not need to be filled with water; in summer, the catharanthus requires more liquid. It is recommended to feed the plant with special mineral complexes.

Useful properties of catharanthus

The flowers of the plant are poisonous, but despite this, they can be used to cure malignant neoplasms. Because they contain a lot of anti-cancer substances that are valued by traditional healers. Using the herb, you can destroy Pseudomonas aeruginosa; this is one of the effective remedies for treating skin diseases - dermatitis and eczema.

Application of catharanthus

Remember that catharanthus is a poisonous plant. This type of plant is widely used in medicine because it has many beneficial properties. With the help of drugs based on catharanthus, blastoma, leukemia, breast cancer, leukemia, sarcoma, malignant neoplasm in the uterus and other dangerous oncological diseases can be cured. Tincture and infusions based on catharanthus will help cure prostatitis, adenoma, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, and gastric ulcers.

With the help of catharanthus, you can normalize the level of glucose in the blood, also cure ulcers of a trophic nature, and prevent the development of ulcers, which often accompanies diabetes mellitus. This remedy is used in cases of high blood pressure, eczema, it is one of the best painkillers and reliable prevention of cancer.

A decoction based on fresh catharanthus leaves is effectively used to treat diseases of the stomach and intestines; with its help you can get rid of itching on the skin and cure psoriasis.

To prepare the decoction, you will need one tablespoon of the dry plant, a glass of boiling water, everything must be thoroughly boiled for one minute, and left for up to half an hour. After straining, you need to drink three times a day before meals, be sure to dilute it in half a glass of water. If you use the decoction externally, you need to add two tablespoons of dry herb to 200 ml of water.

To protect yourself from cancer, it is recommended to use an infusion; to prepare it, you will need the following collection - chamomile, catharanthus rosea, . Take everything in equal parts. Then you need to add one tablespoon of finely chopped plant to 200 ml of boiling water and leave for up to 30 minutes. This infusion should be consumed half an hour before meals for a whole month. To prevent cancer, this should be done up to three times a year.

One of the effective and reliable blood purifying and antitumor agents is a tincture based on catharanthus; it must be prepared with vodka or alcohol, and be sure to infuse for at least three weeks. Traditional healers recommend the following recipes: take the leaves, chop them finely, pour vodka in a ratio of one to twenty, leave for a week, the place should be dark and cool. When using it internally, you must dilute 10 drops in one tablespoon.

For stomach ulcers, prostatitis, fibroids, it is recommended to take this tincture, it will require shoots - two tablespoons, leaves, pour everything with a glass of 70% alcohol, leave for up to 10 days, do not forget to stir. First, you need to take no more than 5 drops diluted in a tablespoon of water half an hour before meals, then take a break of one week and take up to 10 drops diluted in one tablespoon of water. The course of treatment will last no less than three months.

Contraindications to the use of catharanthus

Catharanthus is a poisonous plant, so it can be treated only after the recommendations of a specialist. Remember that, despite the fact that the plant has many beneficial properties, it can also lead to side effects, such as severe nausea, vomiting, skin irritation, etc. Also, you should not take it if you have hypotension or vegetative-vascular dystonia. Thus, self-treatment with catharanthus is strictly prohibited!

A charming herbaceous plant with soft pink flowers, which came from the tropics of Indonesia, could easily be confused with phlox if it were taller, and its stems grow slightly differently. Catharanthus has not yet gained deserved popularity among domestic gardeners, which, taking into account all its medicinal properties, is in vain. Such an assistant should be grown in the country house and in the apartment, especially since it will not be difficult even for a novice gardener.

Catharanthus: photo and characteristics of the plant

The name “catharanthus” refers to a whole genus of herbaceous plants, among which you can find subshrubs, simple perennials and annuals. Most of them grow naturally in the tropical regions of India and Madagascar; catharanthus is rarely found in Europe and Russia. This is most often due to the presence of toxic substances in all parts of the plant, as a result of which it is unwise to grow it where there are small children and animals. Nevertheless, catharanthus deserves increased attention both due to its appearance and due to a number of medicinal properties.

If we abstract from the characteristics of a particular type of catharanthus, then for the most part these are quite tall (40-60 cm) plants with an erect and readily branching stem. As a house plant, ampelous varieties of catharanthus are also used, differing only in the softness of the stems. The leaves are elongated, long, moderately green in color, and have a bright white longitudinal stripe. The flowers resemble phlox flowers in shape and color, but are located singly on the stem, without being arranged in inflorescences. Despite this, together they form round “caps”, of which there are usually 3-5 pieces on the stem. In addition, the diameter of catharanthus flowers is slightly larger than that of phlox: 3-4 cm; and have absolutely no aroma. By analogy with phlox, catharanthus petals can have a color from purple to pale pink, almost white. The center of the flower is in most cases yellow, but there are also dark pink “eyes”.

Planting of catharanthus is carried out by cuttings and through classical sowing. The latter method is much more often used by domestic gardeners, since it reduces the risk of poor rooting of the flower, but it has its downside. It is impossible to guarantee the germination of absolutely all seeds, so they are poured into the soil quite densely.

Also, it is not possible to propagate the plant by collecting and sowing seeds: in the middle zone they practically do not ripen, so catharanthus is mainly grown as an annual if it is planted in open ground. In apartment conditions, catharanthus is more hardy, can live for several years, and every year from May to November delights with the sight of its blooming buds.

To sow catharanthus, the seeds must be kept in a solution of potassium permanganate, poured onto gauze, and the bundle dipped in a previously prepared liquid for 15-30 minutes. The concentration of the solution is chosen to be minimal: per 1 liter of water no more than 2 g of potassium permanganate powder. After this, the seeds are dried and placed in the ground. The approximate time for sowing catharanthus is the beginning or middle of February, if the plant is to settle in open ground. If you grow catharanthus in an apartment, the date of planting does not matter.

Pink catharanthus: medicinal properties

Pink catharanthus, most often purchased for planting in the middle zone, is related to periwinkle, so its seeds are often labeled as “pink periwinkle.” However, this is catharanthus. Moreover, that variety is known for a wide range of medicinal properties, which does not detract from the presence of poisonous parts. Therefore, it is not recommended to use catharanthus in home treatment, without the participation of a specialist.

The medicinal properties of pink catharanthus are highly valued in the fight against cancer: for this purpose, extracts from its stems and leaves are added to chemical preparations. Traditional medicine also prefers to squeeze these parts of the plant, and in addition to the usual infusions and decoctions, oil can be obtained from this flower, used for external use. If you are careful, you can also benefit from catharanthus in the treatment of ulcers, gangrene, and itchy skin. Its positive effect on diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal problems, adenoma, and varicose veins is great. In some cases, an extract from catharanthus acts as a pain reliever, as well as a drug that lowers blood pressure.

Catharanthus: care at home

Caring for catharanthus begins with selecting soil for seeds or seedlings. Here you should know that he needs loose soil, with good breathability, and also one that will not accumulate moisture. Therefore, the use of drainage materials is mandatory. For example, pebbles covered with dornite, which are placed at the very bottom of a pot or other container. Special drainage mixtures serve the same purpose. They contain the main substrate, which also needs to be composed of several parts: it is advisable to include humus and peat, which will become the main sources of nutrients, and leaf soil with sand, as the basis of soil for the plant.

If catharanthus ampelous is planted, 3 seedlings can be placed in a flowerpot at once: from the outside they will look like 1 lush specimen. A larger number of plants in one pot will begin to feel crowded, and it is extremely undesirable to make constant transplants for catharanthus. It does not tolerate changing living conditions well. For this reason, most often the only transplantation is picking seedlings after the initial sowing, at the moment the leaves appear. After this, the catharanthus is placed in a pot, which will become its place of residence for the rest of the period.

This plant is photophilous, but is afraid of direct sunlight, so on days of special solar activity it is advisable to shade it or move it away from the light spot. But generally, pots with catharanthus are placed on window sills or in front of a window facing the west or east: this way they will be constantly illuminated. Hanging varieties can be placed on the balcony wall, but only if there is a glazed loggia. Otherwise, during periods when the temperature drops, you will have to constantly move containers with flowers, which is undesirable. In spring and summer, catharanthus can even live on an unglazed balcony, in long boxes attached to its wall.

Plants that live in apartment conditions require constant feeding, since the chemical composition of the soil in which they sit is not updated, and nutrient reserves are gradually depleted. Fertilizer application for catharanthus is required in the warm season - spring and summer, once every 14-15 days.

In addition, you should occasionally dilute liquid fertilizers in the water for watering the flower. If you violate the feeding schedule, the likelihood of poor flowering or its complete absence increases. And here it should be noted that catharanthus loves water very much: it instantly reports its deficiency by curling up its leaves.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the maintenance of catharanthus in an apartment in winter: firstly, it needs to set the air temperature to 15 degrees, and be sure to remove the pots from the windowsill if there is a possibility of the soil cooling from its surface. Secondly, the amount of watering is reduced so as not to cause rotting of the stem and rhizome, which occurs due to a general drop in temperature. Thirdly, there is no need to feed catharanthus in winter: this time of year becomes a period of rest for it.

Catharanthus: propagation by cuttings

Cuttings of catharanthus are done less frequently than sowing them, however, if you want to propagate the variety you like, this is the most convenient option. For this purpose, it is necessary to cut off branches that have not yet become woody: they are soft to the touch, and their color has not darkened. Often these are very young stems that appeared in the last year of the plant’s life. Before cutting them, it is important to make sure that there are 1-2 nodes on the branches, and then immediately remove all leaves except the topmost ones.

In order for the cuttings to begin to develop the root system, they are immersed with their cut ends in water, to which epin or any other drug that stimulates root formation has been added. It is necessary to keep the twigs in such a liquid for no longer than 24 hours, after which they are transferred to a glass of clean water at room temperature. After 25-30 days, thin whitish roots will appear on them.

The further planting algorithm fully corresponds to what is used during sowing: the cuttings are moved to nutritious and loose soil, where they take root and grow. If necessary, they are later transplanted. But, as already mentioned, it is better to immediately plant the catharanthus seedlings in the main pot.

Even if catharanthus is not at the peak of popularity now, the time is approaching when domestic gardeners will appreciate this plant. Both in the interior of an apartment and in landscape design, this flower can play the role of an excellent decoration, and, moreover, useful if you approach its use for medicinal purposes with caution.

And is periwinkle the same thing? Catharanthus rosea is a type of evergreen subshrub, perennial, belongs to the genus Catharanthus, a large family of Kutrovaceae.

Among gardeners it is more common under the name Pink Periwinkle. For quite a long time, pink catharanthus was classified as a variety of Periwinkle.. Both plants belong to the same Kutrov family. In the mid-20th century, scientists identified catharanthus rosea as a separate genus of evergreen perennials.

ATTENTION: It grows naturally on the island of Madagascar, India and Cuba. It grows in Transcaucasia, Kazakhstan and Kuban. This flower is grown as a medicinal raw material. In the northern regions of our country, periwinkle is grown as an ornamental annual.

Description of pink appearance

Pink catharanthus is a low-growing perennial shrub.. Grows up to 30 – 50 cm in height. Stems can be straight or creeping, woody at the base.

The root is long, rod-like, light yellow in color, and has many side branches - roots. The leaves are shiny, medium density, large, oblong, blunt-pointed, bright green. The leaves grow up to 8-10 cm in length and 3-3.5 cm in width.

The leaf petioles are short, thick, and the leaves grow oppositely. A feature of the leaf structure is clearly defined venation over the entire surface of the leaf. The central vein is white.

Catharanthus flowers are white, all shades of pink are found. The corolla has the shape of a spike, consists of 5 petals that grow together into a tube, the throat of the corolla has a pronounced purple tint. The flowers are medium-sized, up to 3–4 cm in diameter, the aroma of the flowers is weakly expressed. In temperate climates, the seeds do not ripen.

Photo

Medicinal properties

• Catharanthus rosea - widely used in traditional medicine. In modern pharmacology, special, highly effective antitumor drugs are created from Periwinkle raw materials, used in the treatment of oncological diseases: hematosarcoma, etc. The derived drugs affect the metabolism of amino acids - antitumor function. The latest semi-synthetic drugs of a new generation are developed on the basis of catharanthus rosea.
• Periwinkle contains many microelements - zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, etc. It must be remembered that pink catharanthus is a poisonous plant, self-medication is contraindicated. It is necessary to use drugs or herbal infusions only under the strict supervision of doctors. In addition to the medicinal function, there are many side effects and contraindications.
• Herbalists use the flower as an antibacterial agent. The bush also has a healing effect for prostatitis of any stage. Based on it, drugs promote healing without surgical intervention.
• With the help of catharanthus rosea, various female uterine pathologies are cured: polyps in the ovaries and uterus resolve. With proper treatment, aggressive cells are destroyed and do not allow them to degenerate into new tumors.
• The flower also has antimicrobial power, relieves purulent wounds, and even cures gangrene in the initial stage. Activates blood circulation, which promotes tissue restoration.
• Pink catharanthus relieves non-healing external ulcers, even in a neglected state.
• Stops inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Copes perfectly with skin diseases - eczema, fungi, irritation from insect bites.
• Reduces blood sugar levels.
• Flower extract treats inflammation and pulmonary tuberculosis.
• Herbalists use decoctions for toothache.

Rules for caring for and growing herbaceous plants

For open ground

Pink catharanthus is a very unpretentious flower; even a novice gardener can grow it, taking into account simple care rules.

The planting site should be bright, warm, with enough sunlight, but not direct, so as not to burn the leaves. The main thing is to protect low-growing bushes from gusts of cold wind and drafts.

The soil should be acidic, without excessive salt deposits, well fertilized, and breathable. The main thing is not to plant pink catharanthus close to each other to avoid stagnation of air and moisture.

Composition of the soil mixture for catharanthus rosea:

• High-moor peat – 1 tsp.
• Humus – 1 hour.
• Turf soil – 1 hour.
• Leaf soil - 1 tsp.
• Sand - 1 hour.

Catharanthus pink - heat-loving flower, the temperature of the bushes is 26 - 27 º C in the summer. Temperatures reduced to 10-8°C can delay the flower from blooming and growing.

You can find out more about the rules for planting and further caring for catharanthus in open ground.

For indoor flower

As a houseplant, catharanthus rosea has been grown for several years; it is a perennial. In the apartment, it is advisable to install pots and flowerpots on the eastern and western windows.

In summer, it is advisable to shade the windows from direct sunlight. The container for planting is chosen to be large enough and deep, taking into account the structure of the massive long root. In the design of apartments and loggias, catharanthus is used in hanging baskets and flowerpots.

IMPORTANT: The flower grows quickly, every year it needs to be transplanted into a larger pot. For transplanting into pots, gardeners recommend using geranium soil mixture. It can be bought in a special store.

You can also make your own soil mixture. Substrate for indoor growing of catharanthus rosea:

• Leaf soil - 1 tsp.
• Turf soil – 1 hour.
• Peat – 0.5 tsp.
• River sand – 0.5 tsp.

not difficult. Watering is plentiful, regular spraying is required, feeding with mineral fertilizers is required once every 2 - 3 weeks.

To maintain air humidity, flowerpots can be placed on a tray with wet expanded clay. Optimal air humidity is 60%.

In summer, it is advisable to take the pots out into the fresh air, onto the balcony or loggia.. In spring, overgrown stems need to be trimmed by a third. In winter, the air temperature should not drop below 10 º C. The optimal temperature in apartment conditions is up to 20 – 22 º C.

Pink catharanthus propagates in several ways.

Preparing for winter

As soon as it gets cold outside, in September - October, it is better to bring the flower pots into the house. Then the flowering of catharanthus rosea will last.

In winter, flowerpots are installed in a cool and bright room. The optimal winter temperature for a flower is 12-15°C.

Watering is reduced by 2 times, the substrate should be slightly moist. If the air is dry, spraying the leaves is required.

In winter, the daylight hours are short, and there may not be enough light for the roseate plant.. Additional illumination with special phytolamps will be required for several hours a day.

Reproduction

Sowing seeds

1. It is held in early spring, in March.
2. Drainage and a small layer of special substrate are laid out in a special greenhouse box.
3. Sow seeds to a depth of 1.5-2 cm.
4. The sowing is covered with thick film or glass.
5. Air temperature for germination is 24°C.
6. The crops should be sufficiently moistened by regularly ventilating the greenhouse.
7. The first shoots appear within 7-9 days.

ADVICE: Seeds require complete darkness for germination.

After seed germination, the boxes are exposed to light., and the air temperature must be reduced to 18 - 20 º C. After 2 - 3 weeks, it is advisable to feed the sprouts of catharanthus rosea. It is better to use nitrogen fertilizers for leaf growth. Seedlings should be picked when 3–4 true leaves appear on a 7–8 cm tall sprout.

Watch a video about growing pink catharanthus from seeds:

More details on how to grow catharanthus from seeds at home can be found in.

Cuttings

Held in spring:

To obtain a lush, compact bush, it is recommended to pinch the tops of seedlings. The procedure is carried out 1 – 2 times. When the seedlings take root, they are planted in peat cups and planted in open ground when spring warmth sets in. Seedlings are planted at a distance of 30–50 cm.

The peculiarity of the flower is that pink catharanthus quickly takes root, the root develops well with sufficient moisture in the substrate and good lighting.

Watch a video about propagating pink caranthus by cuttings:

Dividing the bush

1. The bushes easily tolerate division of the mother bush.
2. The procedure is carried out in early spring.
3. The bush is divided into separate parts, preserving the earthen coma and part of the healthy, undamaged root shoots.
4. The separated parts quickly take root and begin to grow both in flowerpots and in open flower beds.

Catharanthus is a poisonous flower, so when planting, pinching, cuttings, work with gloves, do not allow the flower juice to get into your eyes or skin. After work, you should wash your hands thoroughly.

Pink catharanthus should be watered throughout the year. Drying out the soil is unacceptable, but overmoistening the substrate also leads to disease and death of the flower. Immediately after watering, the water from the pan must be poured out so that the roots do not get wet.

ATTENTION: Spraying is acceptable in summer to maintain sufficient air humidity.

In autumn, in rainy weather, the flower may slow down in growth. To prevent rot and wetness, when planting, you should not thicken the bushes; you must leave a distance between planting holes of at least 30 - 40 cm (you can find out more about the features of planting, growing catharanthus and caring for the plant).

The flower should be fed every 10-14 days with complex balanced fertilizers, starting from the moment of flowering.

Pink catharanthus, in addition to its main purpose - the treatment of many diseases, is also an excellent decoration for terraces and flower beds, covering front gardens and flower beds with a bright, dense carpet.

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