Sadabahar Plant (Nithyakalyani):
Plants belonging to both genus “Vinca” and “Catharanthus” are called periwinkle and they belong to dogbane family. Of all the varieties of periwinkle, rosy periwinkle | madagascar periwinkle has got the most medicinal properties. Madagascar periwinkle belonging to the genus catharathus is found all over the world and it very common here in India.
Madagascar periwinkle plant is called sadabahar plant in Hindi and nithyakalyani in Tamil. It is called nithyakalyani because it flowers daily year round and there are two varieties that are common in India. One variety produces white flowers and the other produces beautiful dark pink flowers.
Sadabahar Plant Traditional Uses:
It has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years for treating various diseases and especially it is very famous for it’s use in treating diabetics. Because it was a traditional medicine for diabetics for many years, it got the attention of many researchers and extensive research was done on the plant in the laboratory.
While researching the effects the plant had on diabetics, it’s amazing ability to cure certain cancer cells was accidentally found. Madagascar periwinkle has got lot of alkaloids which are the main reasons for it’s effectiveness in treating many diseases. Madagascar periwinkle is cultivated widely in North India to meet its extensive use in traditional medicine.
Traditionally it was used for treating wasp stings and muscle pain in India but now after it’s effectiveness in treating certain cancers, it’s cultivated widely for making cancer medicines out of it. Though the leaves of the plant is used the most for medicinal uses, the flowers also are used for treating eye infections by making an eyewash out of them.
Sadabahar Plant (Nithyakalyani) Side Effects:
4 Top Uses Of Nithyakalyani Plant (Sadabahar)
1. Nithyakalyani For Cancer:
The incident in which periwinkle was discovered as an effective anticancer medicine is quite interesting. Two Canadian scientists, when they heard that periwinkle was used to treat diabetics by traditional healers, started experimenting on the extract of the plant. But what they found interesting was that the extract killed all their cell cultures.
This amazing ability of the plants extract excited the scientists. With further research they isolated the two alkaloids that were the cause for the decrease in the blood cell count and after extensive laboratory studies, drugs were developed and now are used all over the world for treating certain kinds of cancer.
The two powerful alkaloids present in Madagascar periwinkle are called vincristine and vinblastine. When extracted and purified, they cure cancers like Hodgkin disease, leukemia etc. The drugs gives positive results for large amount of patients and many patients fully recover with the medicines.
2. Nithyakalyani For Wasp Stings:
Periwinkle is a popular remedy for wasp stings and wounds. External application of periwinkle leaves on the affected area treats the problem well. For the remedy, take a handful of fresh periwinkle leaves and wash them well.
Pound the leaves in a mortar and pestle, while the leaves are still wet, to a fine paste without adding any water. Apply the leaves on the affected area and tie with a thin muslin cloth to prevent the paste from falling down.
3. Nithyakalyani For Diabetics:
Periwinkle has been used for treating diabetics for many, many years especially in Philippines. Researchers tested the effect of periwinkle in treating diabetics on both normal and diabetic rabbits. The results supported what traditional healers have known all along that it reduces blood sugar levels equally like how a diabetic medicine would do.
In many parts of the world, periwinkle tea is used to treat diabetics. But please remember, just because it is a herbal preparation, it does not mean it is safe in all dosages. Especially for people who are already on diabetic medications, it might lowers the blood glucose levels way too much. Pregnant women, breast feeding mothers should definitely avoid internal consumption of periwinkle.
To make the periwinkle tea, take the leaves and spread them on a plate and dry them under hot sun and powder it finely. Take the leaves in a plate and sundry till crisp and powder it well in a blender and store. To make the tea, boil a cup (200 ml) of water in a pan and add a big pinch of the powder and let it boil till the extract reduces a little and strain. This tea also cure sore throat, instead of drinking the tea you can also use it as a gargle for sore throat.
The alkaloids in this plant makes it very toxic at certain levels, so don’t take large amount of the powder and don’t have this tea on a daily basis. If you want to consume periwinkle for treating diabetics, it is best done under medical supervision as it might have serious side effects, if consumed more than a certain amount.
4. Nithyakalyani For Wounds:
Periwinkle can be used for treating wounds and to stop the bleeding very effectively. For this remedy, take a handful of leaves in a pan and boil it along with water till the water is reduced in half and strain. Now take a pure cotton cloth and sterilize it by boiling it in water and squeeze out the water completely.
Dip the cloth in the prepared extract and squeeze little so that the cloth is not dripping and place the cloth over the wound like a bandage. This kind of external application does not have any side effects and can be safely done at home. Keep repeating the processes both morning and evening till the wound starts healing.
If you don’t have the plant at home, you can also collect the leaves when you can, dry them well under the sun and use it for treating wounds by boiling the dried leaves in water. The fresh leaves also can be boiled in any unrefined oil after bruising it. This oil will make an excellent ointment for treating wounds, scrapes and cuts.
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So very interesting.. I enjoyed reading this.. I have a nice little stand of periwinkle outside of my house.. Its so unassuming that I forget that its there but its nice to know it has some worthwhile medicinal properties. Thanks!
Good. Can we grow this at home
Yes, you can grow rosy periwinkle easily at home…
Yes. Eating 7 white flowers once daily. In a week or 2, diabetes is completely treated. My mom told me about a person she met, who was cured
VERY GOOD INFORMATION. THANKS…
Thanks.both colours of the plants are in our home garden, since a long year. But today only we came to know its benefits. we make use of its.
excellent
I heard that decotion made from flowers of this plant to cure diabetes. Plz cofirm again
Yes, rosy periwinkle has anti diabetic properties, you can read about the study that proves it here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26490765
Hi Ramya,My father has kidney cancer. I am willing to try this option.Do you know how I can proceed to get these or know about these (use, availability etc)Thank you so muchAnoop G
Hi Anoop, Madagascar periwinkle is mainly used for childhood leukemia and hodgkins disease. We can't use the crude extract at home for treating cancer…
Very useful information. Thank u
Hi,My father used to dink this regularly for probably 48 days for diabetics and now sugar level is controlled…Really awesome….Please try this for diabetics. daily five flower…
Hi , can you pls give the details of making the juice. How to make and what else is used to make this juice.
how many leaf can be eat by diabetics person daily to controlled sugar level
Hi sir, you can consume it in the form periwinkle tea using the recipe mentioned in step 3 but please do it only under medical supervision as the correct dosage is very very important…
I do have three varieties of Periwinkle – red, deep purple and dark pink in my home garden. I shall try these remedies. AV Prasad
can we consume this flower juice daily.
Nithya kalyani should be taken only under medical supervision as the dosage is very important…
Mam, we do boil the flower and drink the extract as they say it treats diabetics… I don't know whether only a diabetic patient must consume it or even we… cuz we r all consuming it in daily morning… dosage dependency is there..but we only boil 4or5 flowers.
Could you tell me how to propagate periwinkle plant?
You can read about propagating periwinkle plant in detail here: http://homeguides.sfgate.com/propagate-perennial-periwinkle-stem-cuttings-44172.html
A wonderful site. I have planted a lot of herbal plants and some plants are coming up on their own. So its of great help to refer to your site and actually use them.
Hi..this flower is useful for brain tumour
The alkaloids from the rosy periwinkle plant is useful for treating brain tumors too…
my daughter eats pink flower daily. is this harmful?
Please ask her not to consume the rosy periwinkle flowers as it can be toxic….
Hi… Can this be consumed by adults who do not have cancer or diabetes but for stomach problems?
Hi… Can this be consumed by adults who do not have cancer or diabetes but for stomach problems?
This nithyakalyani flower can't be used as a home remedy for treating cancer…
may be. my friend's heighbourer affected cancer, she didn't go any work. Doctors also gave time frame 1 month for her. but she till alive by taking this herb, she is going to farm work now.
HI Ramya,Could you please guide me about diabetic control level. My mom is having more than 10 years for diabetic patient. How should we go so for.
I would suggest fenugreek tea, it greatly reduces blood sugar levels but we should monitor blood sugar levels closely while consuming fenugreek tea as it can drastically reduce blood sugar levels if taken along with diabetic medicne…
Could you please explain how to use these flowers for colon cancer treatment ?
Take 10 to 15 flowers and boil with 250 ml water. Water should reduced to 150 ml.Take twice a day.Note : use both white and lavender color flowers.
Hi, my father has been diagnosed with bladder cancer. My mother boils 6-7 flowers (pink nithyakalyani flowers) in water and gives him the tea. Is this useful and safe? Please let me know, thank you so much.
Hi, can we boil 6-7 flowers (pink ones) in water and drink to cure bladder cancer? Please do let me know. Thanks!
Hi Sujatha, I would suggest taking the sadabahar flowers only under medical supervision for treating blood cancer as it is very dosage dependent and it also drastically reduces blood sugar levels….
Can we use this treatment for a woman with Ovarian mass
I am not sure how effective rosy periwinkle is for ovarian mass. Also I would suggest consuming sadabahar plant only under medical supervision as it is toxic at certain dosages…
I have more of a blue /purple flower periwinkle in my flower beds is this also good as well ?
This variety of periwinkle has pink or white flowers, I think the flowers you are referring to might be vinca major or minor, though they belong to the same family, they are different…
mam,is it suggestible for a breast cancer patient who is in stage 1 after operation on her regular daily intake
I would suggest taking rosy periwinkle only under medical supervision as it is very dosage dependent and it also drastically reduces blood sugar levels…
Hai mam,I have both hands pain, top the hand bone pain & back side also sometime shall I take this flower? If I will take means how many days or months can I take. How many flowers also can I take. Reply me mam
Hai mam,I have both hands pain, top the hand bone pain & back side also sometime shall I take this flower? If I will take means how many days or months can I take. How many flowers also can I take. Reply me mam
Hi Swathi, Rosy periwinkle flower is dosage dependent and I would suggest not taking it at home without medical supervision. Instead, for body pain try pirandai thogayal, it greatly will help with the pain. You can also get pirandai thailam and massage gently on the affected area. You can read about pirandai in the blog…
Madam i wish to meet u ….. I'm in Chennai my mom have a problem so I just need to meet u in personal to have a discussion madam just contact me.. VASANTHAKUMAR 9940999468
Hi… My father is suffering from prostrate cancer now he is been treated with chemotherapy we r giving him nithya Kalyani tea every day advice by sidha Dr is it safe
This herb can be taken but the dosage is very very important since you are taking it under medical supervision, I am sure it is safe. Continue taking it in the dosage mentioned…
Can we use this flower to breast cancer patient ? if yes please tell me how it should be used and dosage for adult women of 55 years?
I would suggest taking rosy periwinkle only under medical supervision as it is very dosage dependent and it also drastically reduces blood sugar levels…
Hi I have been diagnosed with liposarcoma which is one type of cancercan i use this flower ?
Rosy periwinkle extract is proven to be effective for many types of cancers like lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, breast cancer, soft tissue sarcoma and leukemia and it is also cancer protective. But there are few problems when we use the fresh plant extract at home 1. It is toxic at certain levels and after certain duration 2. The dosage might vary from person to person for it to be effective. 3. It might interfere with certain medications. For these reason I would suggest using this plant only under medical supervision…
Ramya is giving very wonderful tips. More info of this nature is very welcome. Can Nithiakalyani be consumed without the supervision of the practitioner. Please advise as in most cases down in Malaysia we do not have many practioners.
Hi Sir, Nithakalyani can be taken in very small doses as it is toxic beyond certain levels and certain duration. Since it is hard to determine the correct dosage to use at home, I would kindly suggest taking nithykalyani, in fact all herbs which are toxic beyond certain dosages only under medical supervision. Here is the link to toxicity report: report
Hi mam, my mother in law is suffering from diabetics, so daily how many leaf/flower she should take? also whether she should take the LEAF or Flower?
Hi, rosy periwinkle is toxic beyond certain dose and duration so I would suggest taking other safe herbs for reducing blood sugar levels. Home remedies like fenugreek tea(you can find the recipe for it in the blog) will also reduce blood sugar levels but it is more safe for taking longer duration's. But please monitor the blood sugar levels carefully and often especially if taking both diabetic medications and fenugreek tea as it might lower blood sugar levels way too low..
Thank you for the valuable info . Can you also pls direct us to where we can get medical help to treat diabetes please ? In chennai is what I am asking Thank tou again
Dear Shobi, though I visit Chennai once in a while, I am not familiar with especially the hospitals…:)
My wife is having troubles with sugar due to pregnancy…. Can she use this in light dosage to bring her gestational diabetes under control? Please advise as we are having trouble with bringing down her blood sugar during pregnancy….
Please don't take nithyakalyani during pregnancy. The only problem with using natural remedies during pregnancy is most of the herbs that reduce blood sugars should not used by pregnant women. I would kindly suggest using natural remedies only under medical supervision to determine the precise dosage….
Hi mam, is it is fine to take 1 or 2 flowers daily ?
Please don't take nithyakalyani flowers daily as it is very dosage dependent and is toxic above certain levels….
Hi Mam,my uncle was suffering from esophageal cancer and have under went esophagectomy surgery.Is it safe to take white nithyakalyani flower as he is at early stage 2.Please advice
I would suggest taking nithyakalyani flower only under medical supervision as it is toxic above certain dosage and it also reduces blood sugar levels
Hi! I just learned today that too much periwinkle can be fatal. I've been eating about 30 leaves daily for three days now. My thyroid nodule kind of shrunk immediately! Will it poison me if I kept eating so much leaves?
Hai Mrs Ramya Is this flower reduces cholesterol level? If so can I take doe reducing this white flower daily in a boil water.
Hai Ramya Shall I take this for reducing cholosteral
I would suggest not consuming nithyakalyani at home, it is not safe as it is highly dosage dependent…..
hii mam, my friend (aged 38) suffering from CML-AP (Leukemia) since 2014, and taking imatinib and thereafter tasigna from last 3 months,,, can he take periwinkel leaf for treatment and is it effective to treat leukemia. plz mam give me some advice.
my mother is currently treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy for esophagus cancer. can she take nithakalyani flower tea?
Hi Ramya,I heard periwinkle can help in weight reduction specially abdominal area. Kindly confirm my understanding.
Hello mam.I take only 1 periwinle flower once a week.My aunt told that we can take 5 flowers a day,saying that it wouldn't cause any complications.Is it true ??
Good information. Which of the species is good for enhancing the memory?
Very useful information.Thanks.
Can we offer these flowers to the God?
Can we offer these flowers to the God?
We can offer these flowers to god too….
Where do I get this flower
For nothing kalyani if there is another name in Tamil????
Thanks for all the info..Great job
Can it be used for people with Crohn's disease?
Mr Subramani, the name in Tamil for this flower is ‘NITHYA KALYANI’ ( ‘SADABAHAR’ ஸதாபஹார் in Hindi.) This can be grown easily in front of the house if have space or in the balconies.
Thank you for your message.
Hi what can I use for hearing loss?
Is this plant has small thorns?
My sister have a cervical cancer which color have to prevent for her
Thank you very much a certain old man gave me full 2 litre bottle full of water and some root in side is too biter I franked some drops when I was suffering from stomach cramps and it was helpful I could not finish the bottle due to bitterness.
Watching from Nigeria oread a coding to our tradition for ezemax & sto
mach rod problem so thanks you for still nolege.
Hi , i see everyone is talking about the flowers. What about the green leaves.of the periwinkle ??
Can the pink flower be eaten daily for diabetics
Hi I have ulcer sore in my stomach,and is now 3yrs.i don’t it
How can it be use for eyes. Is it squeeze pink juices and drop into the house.