Vinca minor, a perennial vine native to southwestern Asia and central Europe, is a ground-hugging subshrub shrub with glossy, dark green leaves and small purple-blue flowers. It is commonly used as an ornamental ground cover and is valued for its ease of care, dense growth, and resistance to pests and diseases. It is also used as a traditional herbal remedy to treat various ailments. It thrives in shady areas and prefers moist, well-drained soil.
Vinca minor, also known as lesser periwinkle or myrtle, is a perennial vine native to southwestern Asia and central Europe. The plant creeps along the ground, where it establishes roots and creates large colonies, though it does not climb like other vines. Instead, it forms thick mats of foliage and flowers, and is commonly used as an ornamental ground cover.
Reaching a mature height of just 6 inches (15.24 centimeters), Vinca minor is also considered a subshrub shrub, or a short woody plant with ground-hugging stems. Individual plants can grow to about 3 feet (0.91 meters) in diameter and feature glossy, dark green leaves that grow opposite each other along slender stems. The leaves remain attractive year-round, but in early spring, the plant produces small, purple-blue flowers that last until fall. Some cultivars produce lavender or white flowers, although these are less common.
Vinca minor is traditionally used as a ground cover under large trees and in other shady areas, where it spreads profusely. The plant is widely naturalized and is even considered invasive in some areas of North America. The lesser periwinkle is valued for its ease of care, dense growth, and resistance to pests and diseases.
Vinca minor plant thrives in shady areas, where other mulches and grasses cannot survive. Plants placed in full sun will decline rapidly and may never produce flowers. Lesser periwinkle also prefers moist, well-drained soil, although it will tolerate dry conditions for a short time. The plant is easy to grow in temperate climates, requiring only basic care in most seasons. Supplemental irrigation may be required when temperatures peak in the summer, and occasional pruning may be necessary to prevent vines from encroaching on other areas of the lawn and garden.
Vinca minor is used as a traditional herbal remedy to treat a variety of ailments. Most often, the dried leaves of the plant are used to treat cardiovascular diseases and improve blood circulation throughout the body. Other herbal remedies include treating excessive menstrual flow and tension headaches, and lowering blood sugar. In homeopathic medicine, Vinca minor is used as a remedy for various skin disorders, ulcers, bleeding, and diphtheria.
The recommended dose of Vinca minor, when taken as a herbal home remedy, is 1 cup (236.6 milliliters) of infusion taken twice daily or 28 drops of tincture dissolved in water twice daily. Vinca minor tincture, which may be sold as periwinkle tincture, can be purchased at health food stores. An infusion, however, must be made at home. To make an infusion, steep 2 teaspoons (9.86 milliliters) of dried leaves in 1 cup (236.6 milliliters) of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes, strain, sweeten with honey if desired, then drink immediately. A doctor should always be consulted before taking any new herb to ensure that it is safe for the individual.
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