4 Top Health Benefits of Nithyakalyani | Sadabahar Flower | Rosy Periwinkle | Madagascar Periwinkle

Nithyakalyani plant also popularly called Sadabahar in Hindi has amazing health benefits and is very famous in India. Madagascar periwinkle is it’s botanical name. It is a very common garden plant that you will find in most nurseries. Can you believe that this simple unassuming plant is saving thousands of lives every year? Periwinkle is used for treating certain kind of cancers successfully and that too leukemia in children. Madagascar periwinkle plant got it’s name because it originally originated in Madagascar and many other species of periwinkle are found only in Madagascar.

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:

Though external application does not have any side effects, internal consumption is best done under medical supervision as it is very toxic in certain dosages. I can’t look at this plant without respect, as it saves thousands of lives of innocent children every year.

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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94 Comments

  1. Kimberly H
    March 19, 2015 / 12:21 am

    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!

  2. shobha sureshkumar
    October 29, 2015 / 5:46 pm

    Good. Can we grow this at home

    • Ramya Venkateshwaran
      November 2, 2015 / 5:21 pm

      Yes, you can grow rosy periwinkle easily at home…

    • Shaukat Hayat Khan
      April 14, 2016 / 1:23 pm

      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

    • Dev Ramesh Bhonsle
      March 6, 2017 / 3:46 am

      VERY GOOD INFORMATION. THANKS…

    • kumaravel
      April 10, 2018 / 5:59 am

      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.

  3. Moovash Vani
    December 27, 2015 / 1:09 pm

    excellent

  4. Jyothi Iyer
    January 22, 2016 / 2:15 pm

    I heard that decotion made from flowers of this plant to cure diabetes. Plz cofirm again

    • Anoop Gopalakrishnan
      March 18, 2016 / 3:59 am

      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

    • Ramya Venkateshwaran
      March 21, 2016 / 12:15 pm

      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…

  5. Anandhamohana (Mona)
    February 13, 2016 / 5:42 pm

    Very useful information. Thank u

  6. Praveen Kumar
    February 16, 2016 / 12:24 pm

    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…

    • Sandhya Behera
      June 21, 2017 / 5:22 pm

      Hi , can you pls give the details of making the juice. How to make and what else is used to make this juice.

  7. Muhammad Okasha
    February 19, 2016 / 10:38 am

    how many leaf can be eat by diabetics person daily to controlled sugar level

    • Ramya Venkateshwaran
      March 19, 2016 / 5:39 am

      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…

  8. AV Prasad
    February 29, 2016 / 6:37 am

    I do have three varieties of Periwinkle – red, deep purple and dark pink in my home garden. I shall try these remedies. AV Prasad

  9. Subathra Manivannan
    March 12, 2016 / 6:54 am

    can we consume this flower juice daily.

    • Ramya Venkateshwaran
      March 21, 2016 / 8:20 am

      Nithya kalyani should be taken only under medical supervision as the dosage is very important…

    • Hari Prasath
      February 18, 2017 / 2:58 am

      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.

  10. aruna
    March 13, 2016 / 3:23 pm

    Could you tell me how to propagate periwinkle plant?

  11. aruna
    March 13, 2016 / 3:25 pm

    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.

    • sampath s
      May 2, 2016 / 1:30 pm

      Hi..this flower is useful for brain tumour

    • Ramya Venkateshwaran
      June 6, 2016 / 12:49 pm

      The alkaloids from the rosy periwinkle plant is useful for treating brain tumors too…

  12. MANJIT
    May 9, 2016 / 7:16 am

    my daughter eats pink flower daily. is this harmful?

    • Ramya Venkateshwaran
      June 6, 2016 / 3:51 pm

      Please ask her not to consume the rosy periwinkle flowers as it can be toxic….

  13. Unknown
    May 30, 2016 / 5:27 pm

    Hi… Can this be consumed by adults who do not have cancer or diabetes but for stomach problems?

  14. sharmidha cs
    May 30, 2016 / 5:28 pm

    Hi… Can this be consumed by adults who do not have cancer or diabetes but for stomach problems?

    • Ramya Venkateshwaran
      June 7, 2016 / 5:48 pm

      This nithyakalyani flower can't be used as a home remedy for treating cancer…

    • PALANICHELVAM P
      April 17, 2017 / 9:41 pm

      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.

  15. Mani
    May 31, 2016 / 11:17 am

    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.

    • Ramya Venkateshwaran
      June 7, 2016 / 5:51 pm

      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…

  16. rsubram
    June 3, 2016 / 12:07 pm

    Could you please explain how to use these flowers for colon cancer treatment ?

    • Ganeshkumar@BGT
      June 7, 2016 / 6:28 am

      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.

  17. Sujatha S
    June 27, 2016 / 5:29 pm

    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.

  18. Sujatha S
    June 28, 2016 / 7:01 pm

    Hi, can we boil 6-7 flowers (pink ones) in water and drink to cure bladder cancer? Please do let me know. Thanks!

    • Ramya Venkateshwaran
      July 13, 2016 / 4:32 am

      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….

  19. Unknown
    July 6, 2016 / 5:14 pm

    Can we use this treatment for a woman with Ovarian mass

    • Ramya Venkateshwaran
      July 15, 2016 / 6:55 am

      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…

  20. Judy Cleveland
    July 10, 2016 / 6:02 pm

    I have more of a blue /purple flower periwinkle in my flower beds is this also good as well ?

    • Ramya Venkateshwaran
      July 15, 2016 / 8:48 am

      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…

  21. daredevil
    July 26, 2016 / 10:46 am

    mam,is it suggestible for a breast cancer patient who is in stage 1 after operation on her regular daily intake

    • Ramya Venkateshwaran
      August 13, 2016 / 2:25 am

      I would suggest taking rosy periwinkle only under medical supervision as it is very dosage dependent and it also drastically reduces blood sugar levels…

  22. Swathi Revathi
    August 3, 2016 / 4:25 am

    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

  23. Swathi Revathi
    August 3, 2016 / 4:26 am

    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

    • Ramya Venkateshwaran
      August 18, 2016 / 12:05 pm

      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…

    • Unknown
      October 24, 2017 / 1:16 pm

      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

  24. Unknown
    August 7, 2016 / 6:19 pm

    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

    • Ramya Venkateshwaran
      August 18, 2016 / 3:36 pm

      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…

  25. Anonymous
    August 9, 2016 / 9:02 am

    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?

    • Ramya Venkateshwaran
      August 18, 2016 / 4:48 pm

      I would suggest taking rosy periwinkle only under medical supervision as it is very dosage dependent and it also drastically reduces blood sugar levels…

  26. Anonymous
    August 23, 2016 / 3:37 am

    Hi I have been diagnosed with liposarcoma which is one type of cancercan i use this flower ?

    • Ramya Venkateshwaran
      August 25, 2016 / 4:15 am

      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…

  27. Satasivam Sivam
    August 23, 2016 / 3:32 pm

    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.

    • Ramya Venkateshwaran
      August 25, 2016 / 4:23 am

      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

  28. Rajeswari Rajesh
    August 24, 2016 / 5:54 am

    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?

    • Ramya Venkateshwaran
      August 25, 2016 / 4:28 am

      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..

  29. Shobi
    August 25, 2016 / 11:38 am

    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

    • Ramya Venkateshwaran
      August 26, 2016 / 3:54 pm

      Dear Shobi, though I visit Chennai once in a while, I am not familiar with especially the hospitals…:)

  30. sree
    September 1, 2016 / 4:24 pm

    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….

    • Ramya Venkateshwaran
      September 3, 2016 / 9:05 am

      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….

  31. Rajesh kanna.M.S
    September 26, 2016 / 3:12 pm

    Hi mam, is it is fine to take 1 or 2 flowers daily ?

    • Ramya Venkateshwaran
      October 6, 2016 / 3:56 pm

      Please don't take nithyakalyani flowers daily as it is very dosage dependent and is toxic above certain levels….

  32. Anonymous
    October 6, 2016 / 4:26 am

    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

    • Ramya Venkateshwaran
      October 7, 2016 / 5:04 pm

      I would suggest taking nithyakalyani flower only under medical supervision as it is toxic above certain dosage and it also reduces blood sugar levels

  33. tumandokbisandiin
    October 7, 2016 / 3:27 pm

    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?

  34. Chinnappan Edward
    October 8, 2016 / 12:19 pm

    Hai Mrs Ramya Is this flower reduces cholesterol level? If so can I take doe reducing this white flower daily in a boil water.

  35. Chinnappan Edward
    October 8, 2016 / 12:28 pm

    Hai Ramya Shall I take this for reducing cholosteral

    • Ramya Venkateshwaran
      October 17, 2016 / 3:22 pm

      I would suggest not consuming nithyakalyani at home, it is not safe as it is highly dosage dependent…..

  36. mohan
    November 3, 2016 / 9:30 am

    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.

  37. Chandrasekaran R
    November 21, 2016 / 2:35 am

    my mother is currently treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy for esophagus cancer. can she take nithakalyani flower tea?

  38. Anonymous
    November 22, 2016 / 7:09 am

    Hi Ramya,I heard periwinkle can help in weight reduction specially abdominal area. Kindly confirm my understanding.

  39. Anonymous
    December 8, 2016 / 6:55 am

    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 ??

  40. Unknown
    February 28, 2017 / 5:01 pm

    Good information. Which of the species is good for enhancing the memory?

  41. Unknown
    April 2, 2017 / 5:58 am

    Very useful information.Thanks.

  42. Candid Rupa
    April 27, 2017 / 7:07 am

    Can we offer these flowers to the God?

  43. Candid Rupa
    April 27, 2017 / 7:07 am

    Can we offer these flowers to the God?

    • Ramya Venkateshwaran
      April 28, 2017 / 4:51 pm

      We can offer these flowers to god too….

  44. Unknown
    June 4, 2017 / 2:45 am

    Where do I get this flower

  45. SUBRAMANI K
    June 4, 2017 / 2:52 am

    For nothing kalyani if there is another name in Tamil????

  46. gita
    October 31, 2017 / 1:49 am

    Thanks for all the info..Great job

  47. Anonymous
    March 3, 2018 / 12:25 pm

    Can it be used for people with Crohn's disease?

  48. June 2, 2018 / 8:51 am

    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.

  49. Namasivayam
    October 25, 2018 / 1:11 pm

    Thank you for your message.

  50. Mercy Mvula
    May 10, 2020 / 12:30 pm

    Hi what can I use for hearing loss?

  51. Sanjay
    October 16, 2022 / 9:06 pm

    Is this plant has small thorns?

  52. Niña Christia De Vera
    January 16, 2023 / 10:36 am

    My sister have a cervical cancer which color have to prevent for her

  53. Grace
    April 1, 2023 / 1:32 am

    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.

  54. aliyuzubairu0077@gmail.com
    August 14, 2023 / 1:17 am

    Watching from Nigeria oread a coding to our tradition for ezemax & sto
    mach rod problem so thanks you for still nolege.

  55. Uschi
    October 11, 2023 / 10:53 pm

    Hi , i see everyone is talking about the flowers. What about the green leaves.of the periwinkle ??

  56. Sharada Kumar
    March 21, 2024 / 10:19 am

    Can the pink flower be eaten daily for diabetics

  57. Monica kataka
    May 14, 2024 / 2:03 am

    Hi I have ulcer sore in my stomach,and is now 3yrs.i don’t it

  58. Glory Ikponmwonba
    May 19, 2024 / 1:38 am

    How can it be use for eyes. Is it squeeze pink juices and drop into the house.

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