Passion Flower

Passiflora incarnata

Trade Name

Passion Flower (available from numerous manufacturers), Alcohol Free Passion Flower Liquid

Description
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the whole or cut dried herb and the fresh aerial parts. The yellow pulp from the berry is edible. Several other related species also have edible fruits or healing properties.

Flower and Fruit: The axillary pedicle grows up to 8cm and bears 1 flower. The flowers are androgynous and rayed with a diameter of 5 to 9 cm and have an involucre. The 5 sepals are green on the outside, white on the inside and tough. The 5 petals are white to pale red. There is a secondary corolla inside the petals made up of 4 thread wreaths arranged in rays around the axis of the flower, which are white on the inside and purple on the outside. The ovary has 3 carpels and 3 style branches, which end in a thickened stigma. The 5 stamens are joined at the base and fused to the androgynophor.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The Passion Flower is a perennial vine on a strong, woody stem reaching up to about 10 m in length. The vine is initially angular, later gray and rounded with longitudinally striated bark. The leaves are alternate, petiolate, serrate and very finely pubescent. The under surface is hairier than the upper surface. There are bumpy extra-floral nectaries on the leaf blades. Stipules and tendrils grow from the leaf axils.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to an area from the southeast U.S. to Argentina and Brazil. It is cultivated in Europe as a garden plant.

Production: Passion Flower herb consists of the fresh or dried aerial parts of Passiflora incarnata. The flowering shoots are cut 10 to 15 cm above the ground, usually after the formation of the first apple-sized fruit. The harvest is dried in a hay drier or in the air. For a maximum flavonoid content in the flowering shoot, twice yearly harvest is recommended; opinions are not, however, unanimous.

Not to be Confused With: Passiflora caeulea, Passiflora foetida or Passiflora edulis.

Other Names: Granadilla, Maypop, Passion Vine

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Flavonoids (up to 2.5%): in particular C-glycosyl-flavones, including among others isovitexin-2"-o-glucoside, schaftoside, isoschaftoside, isoorientin, isoorientin-2"-o-flucoside, vicenin-2, lucenin-2

Cyanogenic glycosides: gynocardine (less than 0.1%)

Volatile oil (trace): The frequency postulated presence of harmaline alkaloids could not be confirmed.

EFFECTS
Passion Flower contains glycosides and in animal tests is hypotensive and stimulates respiration. Sedative or spasmolytic effects could not be definitely proven. The use of the herb for nervous agitation, difficulty falling asleep or nervous gastrointestinal symptoms needs further investigation. A motility-inhibiting effect as been observed in animal test.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Nervousness and insomnia

Unproven Uses: Passion Flower is used internally for depressive states such as hysteria, general nervous agitation, insomnia and nervous gastrointestinal complaints. The herb is used externally for hemorrhoids and as a bath additive for nervous agitation.

Homeopathic Uses: Passiflora incarnata is used for insomnia, convulsions and agitation.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages.

Drug Interactions: Saw Palmetto is believed to exert estrogen, androgen and alpha-adrenergic blocking effects. Because of this, the use of hormones, hormone-like drugs or adrenegic drugs concomitantly may need to be adjusted.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: As a comminuted herb for tea and other galenic preparations for internal use or as a sedative bath additives.

How Supplied:

Capsules -- 400 mg

Liquid (alcohol free) -- 1:1

Preparation: To make an infusion, pour 150 ml of hot water over 1 teaspoon drug and strain after 10 minutes. To make a rinse for the external treatment of hemorrhoids, put 20 gm drug into 200 ml simmering water, strain and use when cooled.

Daily Dosage:
Tea -- Pour 150 ml of hot water over 1 teaspoon of the herb and strain after 10 minutes. Drink 2 to 3 times throughout the day and one-half hour before bedtime.

Tincture -- 0.5 to 2 ml, 3 times daily

External Use -- 20 gm of the herb in 200 ml simmering water. Strain and use when cool as a wash or rinse.

Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet, 10 globules every 30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily (chronic); parenterally; 1 to 2 ml SC, acute; 3 times daily; chronic; once a day; ointment: 1 to 2 times daily; 1 suppository 2 to 3 times daily (acute and chronic) (HAB1).

LITERATURE