When we were visiting our experimental area in the school grounds several days ago, a lady called Mavis made a bustling appearance. She was clearly upset about the fact that ROWD were looking at ways to kill the periwinkle.
Mavis had been coming into the grounds in the evenings to pick the fresh tips and flowers of the periwinkle, which she then sold to a herbal company. This company produced herbal products out of the periwinkle, which helped stroke victims and was used for brain health and other symptoms.
She showed the children some examples of the periwinkle products, and told them how the extra money helped to supplement her pension.
At first the scientists were very defensive and could only see their point of view - that the periwinkle needed to go. After a lot of discussion and questioning, it was agreed that ROWD would help Mavis find another area to gather periwinkle, plus it was decided that we needed to find out more about how periwinkle was used by herbal companies. Mavis was asked if she would be interested in presenting a seminar at our company's headquarters.
Mavis was delighted to do this, and the next day arrived at the company well prepared to provide clear information about a chemical in periwinkle called vincamine, which can be converted in the
laboratory to the compound vinpocetine, which is marketed as a dietary supplement. She went through the ways it is used, as well as the side effects associated with it.
Members of ROWD realised that our problem garden escapee, periwinkle was also useful to other people.
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