Periwinkle, also referred to as Madagascar periwinkle or Vinca rosea, was traditionally used in Europe for headache, poor memory and dizziness. Researchers in India studied the impact of Vinca rosea leaves on 10 Type 2 diabetics. The study found that diabetics given the periwinkle leaves showed a significant improvement in blood sugar levels when compared to the control group. In 2007, the results were published in the journal "Karnataka Journal of Agricultural Sciences." This is not sufficient evidence, however, to support the use of periwinkle for Type 2 diabetes. Consult your doctor before trying periwinkle as a dietary supplement.
Step 1
Consult your doctor to review any possible adverse reactions or drug interactions with periwinkle. Your doctor is the best resource for your individual health condition.
Step 2
Verify that the supplement is made with Madagascar periwinkle, or Vinca rosea, and not the related species Vinca minor, or common periwinkle. Common periwinkle can be toxic.
Step 3
Weigh 2 g of the dried Madagascar periwinkle leaves. It takes about 10 g of fresh periwinkle leaves to produce 2 g of dried leaves.
Step 4
Mix loose Madagascar periwinkle leaf powder with 1 cup of hot water to make a tea. Let the tea steep for 10 minutes and drink the sediment along with the liquid.
Step 5
Consume periwinkle supplements in the morning before you eat breakfast. Take the periwinkle just before you eat, as the supplement can cause stomach upset unless you take it with food.
Step 6
Wait one month to see if you have a reduction in blood glucose levels. In the 2007 study, the Type 2 diabetics had a blood glucose reduction of 3.76 to 9.83 percent after one month of supplementation with Vinca rosea.
Tips and Warnings
- The benefits of Madagascar periwinkle was only studied with Type 2 diabetes. No benefit was shown for Type 1 diabetes.
- Discontinue using Madagascar periwinkle if you have any chest tightness or difficulty breathing. The FDA has declared the related plant, Vinca minor, as unsafe for human consumption. Vinca minor is also known as common periwinkle or myrtle.
Things You'll Need
- Dried leaves of Vinca rosea or Madagascar periwinkle
