Ayurveda is the Indian traditional system of medicine which focuses on the medical potential of plants. Catharanthus roseus is one plant recognized well in Ayurveda. It is known for its antitumour, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant and anti-mutagenic effects. It is an evergreen plant first originated from islands of Madagascar. The flowers may vary in colour from pink to purple and leaves are arranged in opposite pairs. It produces nearly 130 alkaloids mainly ajmalcine, vinceine, resperine, vincristine, vinblastine and raubasin. Vincristine and vinblastine are used for the treatment of various types of cancer such as Hodgkin's disease, breast cancer, skin cancer and lymphoblastic leukemia. It is an endangered species and need to be conserved using techniques like micropropagation. It has high medicinal values which need to be explored extensively.