How poisonous is the little evergreen?

The toxins contained in the periwinkle

The periwinkle Vinca minor contains more than 40 different alkaloids in all parts of the plant. Mainly substances such as vincamine and the poison eburnamenine are effective when absorbed into the body. Evergreen preparations have been largely banned in Germany since 1987, as animal experiments have shown blood damage. Certain homeopathic preparations and products are exempt from this ban. In any case, you should refrain from experimenting with the active ingredients of the periwinkle.

The periwinkle as a medicinal plant - with severe restrictions

In the past, the Immergün Vinca minor was considered a medicinal plant with a soothing effect on, for example, the following ailments:

• Tonsillitis
• boil
• Inflammation of the stomach
• Circulatory problems
• high blood pressure

Today, substances extracted from the evergreen are still partially used in the therapy of leukemia. Here, however, medicine accepts severe side effects of the plant, which is only slightly poisonous in itself. As a medicinal plant of natural medicine, the periwinkle should no longer be considered nowadays, because The vincamine contained in it lowers the number of leukocytes and thus increases the susceptibility to infection entry.

The danger to pets in the house and garden

In principle, the periwinkle can also have a toxic effect on the organism of dogs and cats. However, in addition to many far more poisonous garden plants, it seldom happens that animals ingest significant amounts of poisonous plant parts. This is only conceivable, for example, if the periwinkle is cultivated as a potted plant in the house and, for example, no cat grass is available to a house cat. But at least be aware of the potential danger and be vigilant as a pet owner.