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13. Lesser Periwinkle. Vinca minor

Periwinkle. A garden escapee that has become a well-known wild flower, the Periwinkle is even mentioned in Chaucer. They love woodland banks and hedgerows. The flower shape encourages insects to become smeared in pollen, although it rarely needs to seed because the trailing and rooting stems so easily bear new flowers. To the Germans, it is a plant which symbolises immortality. The French have this flower as a symbol of love and friendship, honouring Rousseau who claimed he only ever saw it in the company of someone for whom he held deep affection. Culpepper claims 'that if eaten by man and wife, it will cause love between them'. The Bishop of Cologne (Magnus) also once claimed that if 'dried periwynke' is placed 'between where two lovers lie, there will be no strife or malice between them'. The leaves are astringent and can help to stop bleeding (styptic). Traditionally, a decoction of the leaves was said to cure dysentry and diarrhoea. A wine-based tincture made from the leaves and taken twice-daily with water can help with internal haemorrhages. More recent research on this plant had led to its extracts, particularly an indole alkoloid called vincamine, being used by pharmaceutical industries and medical herbalists to stimulate blood circulation in the brain. This has proven use in the treatment of dementia. In the language of flowers, the giving of Periwinkle means 'First love - My heart was whole until I saw you'.
INDEX OF FLOWERS
Selfheal Common Vetch Penny Cress
Bittersweet Lesser Celandine Campion
Campion & Cow Parsley White Clover Vervain
Lesser Celandine and Primrose Dandelion Dandelion seeds
Periwinkle Evening Primrose Thrift
Foxglove Fennel Green Alkanet
Gunnera Hawthorn berries Plantain
Indian Balsam Herb Robert Speedwell
Nettle Lady's Smock Cherry Blossom
Scarlet Pimpernel Opium Poppy Quince blossom
Ramsons Meadow Cranesbill Rosebay Willow herb
Meadowsweet Lesser Stitchwort Broad leafed Willow Herb
Greater Stitchwort St. Johns Wort berries Tormentil
Dog Rose Thistle head Valerian head
Red Shank Valerian Sweet Violet Windflower
Yarrow Feverfew Rock Rose

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