Passionflower

Passiflora incarnata

A natural mild sedative used in Europe for centuries

To make a relaxing beverage:
One teaspoon of the dried herb is added to one cup of hot boiling water and allowed to steep for 5 minutes.

Passion Flower, whose latin name is Passiflora incarnata, is a naturally grown medicinal herb used as a sedative in nervous disorders (including gastrointestinal complaints of nervous origin), difficulties in sleeping, and anxiety or restlessness, and may combat Parkinson's disease.  Passion Flower reduces spasms and depresses the central nervous system.

Passion flower is also known as Wild Passion Flower and maypop.  It is a woody vine with flowers which reminded early pilgrims of the passion or suffering of Christ. The plant produces small berrylife fruit called granadilla or water lemon. The aerial parts of the plant are gathered during fruiting season and then dried for future processing.

The herb passion flower is one of nature's best tranquilizers. Passion Flower relieves muscle tension and other manifestations of extreme anxiety. The herb is especially good for nervous insomnia - the kind that keeps you lying in bed worrying until the late hours.

Since the tryptophan scare, in which a contaminated batch of this essential amino acid was linked to several deaths, passion flower has become very popular as a safe, natural alternative to help promote a good night's
sleep. Herbalists often recommend passion flower for times of extreme emotional upset.

Passion Flower is used as a sedative in nervous disorders (including gastrointestinal complaints of nervous origin), difficulties in sleeping, and anxiety or restlessness, especially in children. Also used to treat female anxiety during menses, childbirth and menopause. Passion Flower reduces spasms and depresses the central nervous system.

Passion Flower contains flavonoids such as isovitexin, vitexin, saponarin, orientin, glycosides, gynocardin, and alkaloids.

Common uses of passion flower: Antispasmodic, spinal - Nervine, insomnia, shingles, headaches.

Caution: This herb may cause sleepiness in some people and should not be used before driving or operating
machinery. Do not take during pregnancy.

A Recent Scientific Study on Passionflower

Behavioural effects of Passiflora incarnata L. and its indole alkaloid and flavonoid derivatives and maltol in the mouse.

Abstract:

Lyophilised hydroalcoholic and aqueous extracts of the aerial parts of Passiflora incarnata L. (Passifloraceae) (Passion-flower), as well as chemical constituents of the plant, indole alkaloids (harman, harmin, harmalin, harmol, and harmalol) maltol and flavonoids (orientin, isoorientin, vitexin and isovitexin) were assessed for behavioral effects in mice. The accordance with the traditional use of P. incarnata, psychotropic properties were confirmed by some behavioral tests in mice. The anxiolytic properties of hydroalcoholic extract were confirmed at 400 mg/kg by the increase of rears and steps climbed in the staircase test (non-familiar environmental test), and the increase in locomotion and time spent in light side in the light/dark box choice test (non-familiar environmental test). The sedative properties of aqueous extract were confirmed at 400 g/kg by decrease of rears and steps climbed in the staircase test and the decrease of rears and locomotion in the free exploratory test. Moreover, the aqueous extract induced sleep in mice after treatment with a sub-hypnotic dose of pentobarbital.

[Home][Kava][Orders]

[Feedback][E-mail]

[Search][Kava Info]

[Address][Kava Forum]