Passion Flower

Passiflora incarnata

Description:
The passion flower plant is a perennial vine with a strong, woody stem. It is a plant indigenous to the southeast U.S.A. to Argentina and Brazil. The flower of this plant is distinctive in appearance: The 5 sepals are green on the outside and white on the inside. The 5 petals are white to pale red. Purple petals are arranged in rays around the inside axis of the flower. There are 3 carpels and 3 style branches on the ovary.

Composition:
Passionflower herb consists of fresh or dried, above-ground parts of Passiflora incarnata. The flowering shoots are cut about 10 to 15 centimeters above the ground and are dried. The drug contains flavonoids (vitexin), maltol, and coumarin derivatives.

Actions:
Mobility-inhibiting effect.

Uses:
Nervous restlessness. Mild insomnia. Nervous gastrointestinal complaints.

Folk Use:
Internally for depressive states (hysteria, general nervous agitation). Externally for hemorrhoids.

Side Effects:
No health hazards known with proper administration of therapeutic dosages.