Vinca minor
Lesser periwinkle. · Plant · Apocynaceae
Vinca is most suitable for people who seem sad, weepy, weak, and faint. They may have an empty, hungry sensation, and possibly a feeling that they are going to die.
Skin problems such as eczema are key conditions treated by this remedy. It is used for weeping eczema that is infected with thick, foul-smelling crusts, for itchy, burning skin, for a warm scalp with foul-smelling eruptions and corrosive itching, for cradle cap, and for burning leg ulcers. Vinca is also given for excessive menstrual flow that causes great weakness.
Key symptoms
- Spots on scalp oozing moisture, matting hair together
- Corrosive itching of scalp with bald spots; plica polonica
- Irresistible desire to scratch scalp
- Passive uterine hemorrhages; menorrhagia at climacteric
- Eczema of head and face with burning, itching, offensive odor
- Great sensitiveness of skin; redness and soreness from slight rubbing
- Diphtheria; difficult swallowing with throat ulcers
Worse (aggravation)
Better (amelioration)
Lesser Periwinkle
A remedy for skin affections, eczema, and especially plica polonica; also for hæmorrhages and diphtheria.
Head
Tearing pain in vertex, ringing and whistling in ears. Whirling vertigo, with flickering before eyes. Spots on scalp, oozing moisture, matting hair together. Corrosive itching of scalp. Bald spots. Plica polonica. Irresistible desire to scratch.
Nose
Tip gets red easily. Moist eruption on septum. Stoppage of one nostril. Sores in nose. Seborrhœa upper lip and base of nose.
Throat
Difficult swallowing. Ulcers. Frequent hawking. Diphtheria.
Female
Excessive menstruation with great weakness. Passive uterine hæmorrhages (Ust; Trill; Secale). Menorrhagia; continuous flow, particularly at climacteric (Lach). Hæmorrhages from fibroids.
Skin
Corrosive itching. Great sensitiveness of skin, with redness and soreness from slight rubbing. Eczema of head and face; pustules, itching, burning, and offensive odor. Hair matted together.
Relationship
Compare: Oleand; Staph.
Dose
First to third potency.
Vinca minor. Lesser Periwinkle. (Woods and shady places.) N. O. Apocynaceæ. Tincture of whole fresh plant.
Clinical
Acne. Alopecia. Crusta lactea. Eczema. Favus. Neck, stiff. Nose, redness of. Plica polonica. Seborrhœa. Throat, sore. Uterus, bleeding from.
Characteristics
Vinca was proved by Rosenburg on four healthy persons, who took the tincture in 20- to 60-drop doses. It produced a deep impression on the organism and tissues. Weakness and prostration accompanied many of the sufferings; the stool caused exhaustion; great debility accompanied the uterine hæmorrhage. There was "weakness as if he would die"; inclination to stretch; tremulousness and tendency to start, especially on exciting the mind; and tremulousness in all the blood-vessels. Allied to this an empty, all-gone sensation appeared in the stomach and chest. A corresponding deep impression was made on the tissues: blood and blood-vessels; skin, hair, and nails; bones. In passive uterine hæmorrhages Vinca has a wide range. This case is …
Phatak's chapter on Vinca minor is available in the app.
Read Phatak in the appClassical texts are in the public domain. Educational reference only — not medical advice.
