Passionflower
Passiflora incarnata
Other Names: Passion Flower, Maypop, Apricot vine, Passiflore
rouge, Passionsblume, Purple Passion-flower, Passion Vine
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Passionflower Habitat
Passion Flower is a native perennial vine of the Southeastern
United States; found from. Virginia and Kentucky, south
to Florida and Texas. It can be found growing in sandy thickets and open fields, roadsides, fence
rows and waste places.
Cultivation
Passionflower is easily cultivated through root
division or by seed, transplants from the wild do well, it requires a well-drained soil,
sandy slightly acid soil in full sun. A trellis should be provided, since it is a tendril
climbing vine. Passionflower has many beautiful large and aromatic flowers, it grows very
quickly and produces edible fruit and medicinal uses. It has large three lobed serrated
leaves with beautifully intricate purple and white sweet-scented flowers that are from 2
to 3 inches across. Flowers bloom from June to August. The passion fruit, when ripe is
yellow-green and the size of a small hen's egg. The yellow pulp is sweet and edible.
Gather the herb, above ground after some of the fruit have matured, dry for later use.
Gather edible fresh, juicy, fruit when soft and light yellow-green.
Uses and Medicinal Properties
Passionflower is edible and medicinal. edible, The delicious fruit and
flowers can be eaten raw or cooked in jellies, jams, young leaves are used as a cooked
vegetable or eaten in salads. There is scientific evidence of the medicinal constituents
of this herb. Recent studies have pointed to the flavonoids in passion flower as the
primary constituents responsible for its relaxing and antianxiety effects. Some of the
plants constituents, Apigenin, Luteolin, Kaempferol, and Quercetin, are being studied and
showing promise in fighting Parkinson's Disease, Cancer, HIV, Leukemia, and more. The
leaves and stems are medicinal used as antispasmodic, astringent, diaphoretic, hypnotic,
narcotic, sedative, vasodilator and are also used in the treatment of women's complaints.
Passionflower is used as an alternative medicine in the treatment of insomnia, nervous
tension, irritability, neuralgia, irritable bowel syndrome, premenstrual tension and
vaginal discharges. An infusion of the plant depresses the motor nerves of the spinal
cord, making it very valuable in the treatment of back pain. The infusion is also
sedative, slightly reduces blood pressure and increases respiratory rate. The herb
contains alkaloids and flavonoids that are an effective non-addictive sedative that does
not cause drowsiness. It is of great service in epilepsy. The plant is not recommended for
use during pregnancy. The dried herb is much exported from America to Europe for use as an
alternative medicine.
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Passionflower Folklore
The name Passionflower refers to the passion of Christ: the 3 stamens represent his
wounds, and the 12 petals represent the apostles. Passionflower fruit is sweet and aromatic.
Herbal Tea Recipe
Medicinal tea: To 1 tbsp. dried herb add 1 cup boiling water steep for 10 min. drink at
bedtime for restlessness. Quite flavorful and aromatic.
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Article by Deb Jackson & Karen Bergeron
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