Passion Flower

PASSION FLOWER – Passiflora incarnata

Family - Passifloraceae

Other Names: Passion Vine, Maypops, Granadilla

History

The Passion flowers are so named because they resemble the fine cut corona in the centre of the blossoms of the Crown of Thorns.

Native Americans used the fruit pulp to treat swelling and sore eyes and the root they used as a general tonic.

Parts Used

The dried herb is collected after some of the berries have matured.

Cultivation

There are 500 species of passion flower known to man and the medicinal properties can be suggested for many of the species.

A perennial root native to US, Central and South America produces herbaceous shoots with three lobed, finely serrated leaves and flesh coloured or yellowish sweet smelling flowers, tinged with purple. It produces a small many seeded berry the size of a small apple.

The leaves are collected after flowering and dried in the shade.

It is propagated from seed and likes plenty of sun.

Constituents

Alkaloids harmine (indole alkaloid), Harman, harmol and  passiflorine. Passiflorine has similar properties to morphine.

Flavone glycosides (apigenin) and sterols. Maltol, cyanogenic glycosides

Actions

• Sedative
• Hypnotic
• Anti-spasmodic
• Anodyne
• Relaxant
• Hypotensive
• Tranqulizing

Indications:

Passiflora is great for sleepless nights, anxiety and insomnia. It is for this reason that it is commonly used.  It aids the transition into sleep.

How it does this is by increasing the GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) in your brain which then lessens brain activity and helps us to relax. A study showed those who drank it daily for 7 days noticed an improvement in their sleep.

It can be used for any condition where there is cramping and spasms, being effective in cases such as asthma. Epilepsy and irritable bowel conditions will benefit from passion flower.

Occasionally it has been prescribed for convulsions, as well as other issues such as boils, wounds, earaches and liver problems.

It is indicated for nervous conditions and for where there are viral infections of the nerves such as in shingles.

The leaves are non-addictive, non-depressant, sedative especially in cases of anxiety.

It has valuable painkilling properties and can be used for headaches, period pain and toothaches.

Passion Flower will prevent tachycardia and help to reduce high blood pressure.

It is indicated for diarrhoea, dysentery, neuralgia, sleeplessness and dysmenorrhoea.

A compress will help to soothe burns and skin irritations.

Dosage:

0 to 20 minims of fluid extract

Tincture 1 to 4 ml three times a day. Larger doses can be taken in the evening to help sleeping.

1 teaspoon in an infusion can also be drunk at night to help sleep.

If you would like to buy any passion flower, I sell it is 100g, 250g and 500g bags. 

Here is the link passion-flower-passiflora-incarnata

Until next time, 

seeing you all in happiness and health, 

Louise Plant