Savam Nari (Catharanthus Roseus) Flowers of Kerala

March 23rd, 2007 | admin

Savam nari (Catharanthus roseus or Vinca rosea) is a wild herb that grows 8-10 inches and is used in Ayurveda medicines for its various medicinal properties.

Catharanthus roseus is the same plant known earlier as vinca rosea.

The Malayalam name of the plant, savam nari (literally means something that emits bad smell – nari as a corpse – savam) comes from the fact that the flowers smell like a corpse.

The flowers, like balsam are variously colored. They range from pure white to pink and a mixture of both.

The leaves, stem and flowers are toxic.

Ayurvedic medicines prepared from savam nari stem, leaves and roots are used to treat diabetes, hypertension, asthma, gastro-intestinal problems, and problems in female sexuality. Recent researches suggest its effectiveness in treating conditions like leukemia (blood cancer), skin cancer and breast cancer.

Catharanthus roseus belongs to the family Apocyanaceae.