Passion Flower 4:1

History and Uses:
Passion Flower is a woody vine with flowers that reminded early (seventeenth century) pilgrims of the passion and suffering of Christ, hence its name. The plant is native to North, Central and South America and bears small, berry-like fruit called granadilla or water lemons. While primarily tropical, some of its four hundred species can grow in colder climates. The plant is also nicknamed, Maypop, which is descriptive of the popping sound the fruit makes when mashed. Passion Flower was first investigated scientifically less than one hundred years ago when it was found to possess an analgesic (pain-killing) property and to prevent, without side effects, sleeplessness caused by brain inflammation. Since then, the sedative properties of Passion Flower have been observed and documented in many studies. Primary chemical constituents of this herb include alkaloids (harman, harmine, harmaline, harmol, harmalol), flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, quercitin, rutin), flavone glycosides, sterols, sugars and gums. The flavonoids in Passion Flower are primarily responsible for its relaxing and anti-anxiety effects. Today, Passion Flower is an extremely popular herb in Europe, where it is often used to induce relaxation and sleep, an effect first experimentally verified in 1920. In that study, the researcher noticed that, unlike what happens with narcotics, sleep was induced normally, with easy, light breathing and with little or no neural or mental depression. Upon awakening, the patients showed no signs of confusion or stupor or melancholy. And Passion Flower is said to be non- addictive. In 1979, about fifty preparations on the market in Germany contained Passion Flower: forty-two were sedatives, and six were cardio-tonics. These preparations were recommended for nervous or easily-aroused children, cardiovascular neurosis, bronchial asthma, coronary diseases, weak circulation, sleep disorders, problems of concentration in school children and geriatrics. This herb is also used to treat female anxiety during menses, childbirth and menopause. Passion Flower reduces spasms and depresses the central nervous system. Passion Flower has also been known to kill bacteria, making it a good choice for treating eye problems such as inflammation and infection. Topical applications of this herb have included use as a compress for swollen eyes, burns and skin irritations, and as a poultice or juice for burns and wounds.