Is Vinca roseus poisonous?

Is Vinca Rosea poisonous?

Yes, periwinkle is poisonous.

Catharanthus roseus is a plant of the Apocynaceae family. Like oleander, its sap is poisonous, and its flowers are the most toxic.

Catharanthus roseus contains more than 70 alkaloid components, including vinblastine, vincristine, and isovinblastine. Among them, vinblastine has an inhibitory effect on human white blood cells and can poison the nervous system, while isovinblastine can have a mutagenic effect on the human body and cause the occurrence of teratogenesis.

But in general, poisoning will only occur when the wound comes into contact with the sap or the sap is accidentally ingested. Slightly touching the flowers and leaves of vinca roseus will not cause harm to the human body, as long as you pay attention to it and do not break the branches and leaves casually. If you accidentally ingest vinca roseus, it will cause symptoms such as leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, muscle weakness, and paralysis of the limbs.

Can Vinca be grown indoors?

In addition, although vinca roseus is poisonous, the whole plant can be used as medicine, and it has anti-inflammatory and analgesic, diuretic and laxative, calming and sleep-inducing effects. Because it contains anti-tumor ingredients, it is added to anti-cancer drugs. Vincristine and vinblastine extracted from breast milk can help treat rare cancers such as leukemia.

So as long as you are not so hungry that you eat vinca roseus, it is okay to keep it at home. But it is recommended to place it on an open balcony with plenty of sunlight so that vinca can grow better.