Must fact about Barmasi (Sadabahar)

Scientific Name: Catharanthus roseus/ Vinca rosea

Gujarati Name: Barmasi 

Hindi Name: Sadabahar 

Catharanthus roseus is a genus of phanerogams in the family Apocynaceae. It is an evergreen sub shrub or herbaceous plant growing. It is commonly known as Madagascar periwinkle, Sadabahar, Barmasi, Cape periwinkle. 

It is widely cultivated as ornamental plant and is naturalized   in subtropical and tropical areas like that North America, India, Bangladesh, Australia, Malaysia, Pakistan.

Vinca is one of the widely praised herbs due to the goodness of health benefits innate. 

It is quite hardy up to 3ft heights. The Stems are brownish green, silky and glossy with latex. 

Leaves are simple, oval shaped, oblong and obovate margin, acute or obtuse apex and oppositely arranged. 

Flowers are usually solitary or cymose axillary cluster, are round and flat with an eye in the center. Flowers Petal are found in various color (pink, blue, purple, violet, white). 

The Fruit type is follicles. 

Alkaloids are mostly concentrated in the root bark. 

This include three important alkaloids of Rauvolfia (Rauwolfia) group which are ajmalicine, reserpine, and serpentine. 

In addition to these, the other important alkaloids found are vincristine, vinblastine, vindoline. 

The Vinca rosea plants have been used both Ayurvedic medicine and Chinese medicine. 

The leaves, flowers and roots are used in Ayurvedic medicine and plant extract used in Chinese medicine for diseases such as diabetes, malaria, leukemia, Hodgkin's disease. 

In Traditional medicine, the leaf juice has been used to treat wasp stings, flower extract is used for infant’s eyewash. 

Vinca rosea tea is used to treat diabetes and cough. 

Chemical Constitution in plant:

Vinblastine, Vincristine, Catharanthine, Vindoline, Vinorelbine, Leurosine, Rosinidin.

Here are some amazing health 
Benefits of the Vinca plant:

The Leaves and Stems are a source of alkaloids, that have antitumor and anticancer properties. 

The Leaves are used to control diabetes and high blood pressure. 

Ayurveda recommends the  use of the Root of the vinca plant to soothe a toothache.

The  alkaloids  also offer sedative and tranquilizing properties.

Alkaloids relieves muscle pain and depression. Because of its property of detoxification and counteracting poison, it is used to relieve wasp stings. 

This plant control nosebleeds, bleeding gums, mouth ulcers, and sore throats.  

It is useful in treating gastritis, cystitis, enteritis, diarrhea, etc. When taken internally. 

The Vinca rosea plant ensures brain health. 

Its active ingredients improve blood supply to the brain, increase the level of oxygen that the brain can utilize. 

It also raises serotonin levels and prevents abnormal coagulation of blood. 

The alkaloid vincamine keeps the blood thin and has memory enhancing properties. 

It is therefore useful in preventing dementia, especially vascular dementia. 

Cancer Prevention: The goodness of the vincristine, vinblastine in the Vinca helps in the reduction of cancer occurrence in the human body. the two alkaloids innate in the vinca is responsible for series of beneficial effects.  

Diabetes Soothing: The Vinca leaves, seeds, root, and the flower is believed to regulate the sugar level. This produces good effects for the one suffering from diabetes. 

Blood Pressure Regulation: The goodness of reserpine in the Vinca aids in the regulation of the blood pressure. This can be of great significance for the one suffering from the high blood pressure. 

Insect Stings: The healing effects of vinca aids in the soothing of the insect sting. 

Boosting Cognitive Function: The intake of the vinca is associated with the boosting of the cognitive function. 

Menstruation Cycle: The astringent property of the vinca aids in the prevention of the menstruation bleeding. 

It is can be dangerous if consumed orally. 

Special Precaution & Warnings:

It is UNSAFE for anyone to use, but people with certain condition are especially at risk for harmful side effects. 

It can also cause side effect such as vomiting, nausea, and other stomach and intestinal symptoms. 

It can also cause nerve, kidney and liver damage. Large amounts can cause very low blood pressure. 

Pregnancy and Breast-Feeding	It is unsafe. Don’t use it.
Constipation	It has a drying effect on tissues. It can make constipation worse. Don’t use it.
Low Blood pressure	It can lower blood pressure. If you already have low blood pressure, using Vinca rosea can make it drop too low. Don’t use it.
Surgery	It can lower blood pressure. There is concern that it might interfere with blood pressure control during and after surgery. Stop using Vinca at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

           
Conclusively it can be said that Vinca rosea commonly grown as an ornamental plant in urban areas. This plant of immense medicinal importance. Hundreds of compounds have been identified using ethnobotany, investigating plants used by indigenous peoples for possible medical applications. 

"Medicinal Plant Zone"

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