by Darcia Helle

Created on: April 16, 2009

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a perennial climbing vine native to parts of North, Central, and South America. Passionflower blooms from June to August, with purple and white flowers ranging from 2 to 3 inches across. This herb also produces a passion fruit. When ripe, the passion fruit is yellow-green and about the size of a small egg. The yellow pulp is sweet and aromatic.

Passionflower is said to have gotten its name from Jacomo Bosio, a 17th century monastic scholar. He believed the passionflower to be representative of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Passion refers to the passion, or suffering, of Christ; the plant's 5 stamens represent the wounds of Christ; the 72 corona filaments represent the number of thorns in Christ's crown; the petals represent the 10 true apostles; and the spotted underside of the leaf represent the 30 silver pieces paid to Judas to betray Jesus.

Passionflower is both edible and medicinal. The fruit and flowers may be eaten raw or made into jellies or jams. The leaves, when young, may be eaten raw in salads or cooked as part of a stir fry or other vegetable dish.

Passionflower's medicinal value comes from its alkaloids and flavonoids. A gentle and relaxing herb, passionflower is useful in treating insomnia, nervous conditions, and muscle tension related to anxiety.

Native North Americans used passionflower primarily as a mild sedative. As Europeans began traveling to North America, professional herbalists quickly caught on to the use of passionflower as both a sedative and a digestive aid.

Many parts of the world have been using passionflower medicinally for centuries. In 1985, the German Commission E officially approved passionflower as a treatment for "nervous unrest".

Studies performed since the 1930's have shown passionflower's mode of action to be different than that of most sedatives. This difference makes passionflower a safe and non-addictive option for promoting relaxation.

Animal studies have shown that passionflower is able to reduce agitation and prolong sleep. A study of 36 people concluded that passionflower was as effective as the drug oxazepam (Serax) in treating generalized anxiety disorder.

Passionflower is considered safe and is generally well-tolerated. As with all treatments, both conventional and alternative, be sure to check with your doctor for possible drug interactions or other issues pertaining to your own condition.

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