By Katrina Rasbold
The Magical and Healing Properties of Periwinkle: A Symbol of Protection, Love, and Immortality
Periwinkle (Vinca minor), with its delicate blue or violet flowers, is a charming and potent plant steeped in magical and medicinal traditions. Also known as “witch’s violet” or “violet of sorcery,” periwinkle has long been associated with protection, love, and immortality in European folklore and herbal practices. Its evergreen leaves and enduring blooms make it a symbol of life and resilience, often used in spells to guard against negativity, enhance love, and promote healing.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the magical and healing properties of periwinkle, along with practical ways to incorporate this versatile plant into your spiritual and wellness practices.
The Magical Properties of Periwinkle
1. Protection and Warding Off Evil
Periwinkle has a rich history of being used in protective magic. In European folklore, the plant was often carried as a protective charm or placed in doorways and windows to guard against evil spirits, harmful magic, and ill intentions. Its evergreen nature and resilience make periwinkle an enduring symbol of protection, helping to shield individuals and homes from negative energies and spiritual attacks.
In magical practice, periwinkle can be used in spells or rituals designed to create a protective barrier around yourself, your loved ones, or your home. Its energy helps to dispel negativity and keep harmful influences at bay, ensuring that your personal space remains secure and harmonious.
How to Use Periwinkle for Protection:
•Protective Sachet: Place dried periwinkle leaves and flowers in a small sachet or charm bag with other protective herbs, such as rosemary or sage. Hang it by your front door or carry it with you to create a shield of protection from harmful energies.
•Home Protection Spell: Sprinkle dried periwinkle around the perimeter of your home to create a protective barrier that wards off evil spirits and negative influences. As you do so, visualize the plant’s energy forming an impenetrable shield around your space.
2. Love and Fidelity
Periwinkle has long been associated with love, fidelity, and enduring romantic relationships. In ancient love magic, periwinkle was often used in spells to strengthen bonds between lovers, promote harmony in relationships, and encourage loyalty and commitment. The plant’s gentle, loving energy is believed to help open the heart, foster emotional intimacy, and deepen romantic connections.
In magical rituals, periwinkle can be incorporated into love spells, charm bags, or baths to enhance feelings of love and affection. Whether you’re seeking to attract new love, strengthen an existing relationship, or cultivate self-love, periwinkle’s energy helps to promote a sense of emotional balance and harmony.
How to Use Periwinkle for Love:
•Love Charm: Create a love charm by placing dried periwinkle leaves in a sachet along with rose petals, lavender, and a small rose quartz crystal. Carry the sachet with you or place it under your pillow to attract love and strengthen romantic bonds.
•Fidelity Spell: To encourage loyalty and fidelity in a relationship, weave a small wreath of periwinkle and place it near your bed or on your altar. Focus on your intentions for love, trust, and commitment while working with the wreath.
•Self-Love Bath: Add dried periwinkle flowers to your bath along with rose petals and lavender. As you soak, focus on cultivating feelings of self-love, compassion, and emotional healing.
3. Immortality and Eternal Life
Periwinkle’s evergreen leaves and resilient nature have made it a symbol of immortality and eternal life throughout history. In many cultures, the plant was believed to possess magical properties that could ensure longevity, preserve life, or even offer protection against death. In ancient funeral rites, periwinkle was sometimes used to honor the deceased, symbolizing the eternal soul and the continuity of life after death.
For those working with spiritual growth, transformation, or ancestor connection, periwinkle’s energy can be used to tap into the cycles of life and death, embracing the wisdom of immortality. It’s also a powerful herb for those seeking to understand or honor the enduring nature of the soul.
How to Use Periwinkle for Immortality and Spiritual Growth:
•Ancestor Connection Ritual: Use periwinkle in rituals to connect with your ancestors or loved ones who have passed. Place periwinkle leaves or flowers on your altar as an offering to the spirits, inviting their wisdom and guidance into your life.
•Immortality Charm: Create a charm with periwinkle leaves and evergreen sprigs to symbolize eternal life and spiritual endurance. Keep the charm in a sacred space or carry it during meditation to remind yourself of the cyclical nature of life and death.
The Healing Properties of Periwinkle
In addition to its magical uses, periwinkle has been used for centuries in traditional herbal medicine. Known for its anti-inflammatory, astringent, and calming properties, periwinkle has been used to treat a variety of ailments, particularly those related to circulation, inflammation, and wound healing.
1. Supporting Circulation and Cognitive Function
Periwinkle is known for its ability to improve circulation, particularly to the brain. In herbal medicine, it has been used to treat conditions such as poor circulation, memory loss, and cognitive decline. Periwinkle contains alkaloids that are believed to stimulate blood flow, which can help improve mental clarity, enhance memory, and support overall brain health.
Periwinkle is often used in tinctures or teas to promote cognitive function, especially for those experiencing age-related memory issues or cognitive fatigue. It can also be combined with other herbs known to support brain health, such as ginkgo biloba.
How to Use Periwinkle for Cognitive Support:
•Periwinkle Tea: Brew a tea using dried periwinkle leaves to support circulation and cognitive function. Drink this tea regularly to enhance memory, focus, and mental clarity. Be sure to consult a healthcare professional before using periwinkle medicinally.
•Tincture: Create or purchase a periwinkle tincture to use as part of a daily regimen for supporting brain health. Use as directed to improve mental sharpness and circulation.
2. Wound Healing and Skin Health
Periwinkle’s astringent and anti-inflammatory properties make it a valuable herb for wound healing and skin care. Traditionally, it was used to treat minor wounds, cuts, and skin irritations by promoting faster healing and reducing inflammation. The plant’s ability to contract tissues makes it especially useful for stopping minor bleeding and reducing swelling.
In addition to wound care, periwinkle has been used to treat skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, and rashes. Its calming and soothing properties help alleviate irritation and promote healthier, clearer skin.
How to Use Periwinkle for Wound Healing:
•Periwinkle Poultice: Crush fresh periwinkle leaves and apply them as a poultice to minor cuts, scrapes, or skin irritations. The plant’s astringent properties will help stop bleeding and promote faster healing.
•Skin Soothing Wash: Brew a strong infusion of periwinkle leaves and use it as a wash for irritated or inflamed skin. The soothing properties of periwinkle will help calm redness and reduce swelling.
3. Calming the Nervous System
Periwinkle is also known for its calming effects on the nervous system. In herbal medicine, it has been used to treat anxiety, restlessness, and nervous tension. The soothing properties of periwinkle help to calm the mind, reduce stress, and promote relaxation, making it a useful herb for those dealing with anxiety or emotional overwhelm.
In folk remedies, periwinkle was often brewed into a calming tea or used in baths to help relieve stress and promote mental and emotional well-being.
How to Use Periwinkle for Calming and Relaxation:
•Calming Tea: Brew a tea using dried periwinkle leaves, chamomile, and lavender to create a calming, stress-relieving blend. Drink this tea in the evening to promote relaxation and restful sleep.
•Stress-Relief Bath: Add periwinkle leaves and flowers to your bath along with Epsom salts to soothe your nerves and reduce stress. The calming energy of periwinkle will help you unwind and release tension.
Folklore and Historical Use of Periwinkle
In European folklore, periwinkle was often called “sorcerer’s violet” or “witch’s violet,” due to its association with magic and protection. The plant was believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits, ensure fidelity in marriage, and even offer protection from the evil eye. In ancient times, periwinkle was often woven into wreaths and garlands for ceremonial and protective purposes, particularly in rites of passage or transitions such as weddings and funerals.
Periwinkle’s association with immortality and eternal life can be traced back to ancient burial practices, where the plant was sometimes used to decorate graves and honor the deceased. Its evergreen nature made it a symbol of life that endures beyond death, linking it to concepts of spiritual continuity and rebirth.
Precautions
While periwinkle has many beneficial properties, it is important to use the plant with care. Ingesting large amounts of periwinkle can be toxic, so it is important to consult a healthcare professional or trained herbalist before using it internally. Pregnant women and individuals with certain medical conditions should avoid using periwinkle medicinally without professional guidance.
Periwinkle is a powerful plant with deep magical and healing roots. Whether you’re seeking protection, love, or spiritual growth, periwinkle’s energy can help you tap into its ancient wisdom and resilience. With its calming, protective, and healing properties, periwinkle is periwinkle is a valuable herb for both magical and medicinal purposes.
By incorporating periwinkle into your rituals, spells, and wellness routines, you can harness its gentle yet potent energy to promote balance, healing, and protection in your life.
Want to join the conversation about this blog post? Go to the Green Egg Forum and scroll for the forum post that relates to this article: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1069823176940972
Katrina Rasbold is a professional Witch, published author, priestess, and editor of Green Egg Magazine. She and her husband, Eric, are the creators of the CUSP spiritual path and owners of Crossroads Occult. You can reach her through www.katrinarasbold.com.