Dorothy FarrarPassionsblume
Passion flower (Passiflora) is a climbing plant that can also be used as a medicinal plant . The beautiful plant has a calming effect.
General overview
The passion flower (Passiflora) is a species-rich genus and belongs to the passion flower family (Passifloraceae). In total there are more than 530 different species in the world. The passion flower not only impresses with its beautiful appearance, but also has valuable health-promoting effects. It has a calming effect that was already appreciated by Native Americans. In 2011, passion flower was voted medicinal plant of the year.
Occurrence and cultivation
Around 500 species of passion flower thrive in South America, Central America and southern North America. However, some species also grow in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Madagascar and the Galapagos Islands. Passiflora incarnata (flesh-colored passion flower) is used therapeutically. It is the only species of passion flower that is used to make medicinal preparations. It grows naturally in the southeastern United States, such as the states of Florida and Louisiana, and Mexico. Because it has cold hardiness, it is able to overwinter even in milder European areas.
The passion flower reaches a maximum height of 10 meters. It is also related to Passiflora edulis, which is edible and from which the passion fruit grows. In Europe, the Passiflora incarnata can also be kept as a houseplant. The passion flower blooms in August and September. The flowers have a size of about 8 centimeters.
Their coloring varies and can be either violet, reddish or white. Inside the flower is an inner crown, equipped with thin petals. The passion flower belongs to the climbing plants. Its stem is up to five meters long. After pollination, the passion flower can produce orange-colored berries. These contain juicy pulp and numerous seeds.
Application and effect
Passion flower is known for its antispasmodic , antihypertensive, and sedative effects . These are caused by the constituents of Passiflora incarnata such as protocatechuic acid, flavonoids , caffeic acid and p-hydrobenzoic acid. Also, some essential oil is present in the plant. The passion flower is used either as a tea or tincture.
It is usually served as a tea blend. To prepare a passion flower tea, the user pours a cup of boiled water over two teaspoons of passion flower herb. The subsequent steeping time is 10 minutes. After straining, the tea can be administered in sips. The recommended dose is one to three cups per day. After six weeks of use, therapy should be temporarily interrupted to prevent undesirable long-term effects. In this way, the positive effect of the passion flower can also be maintained, which could otherwise diminish through habituation.
It is also possible to make a tincture from the passion flower yourself. The first step is to fill the passion flower into a screw-top jar. Wine spirit or double grain are then filled into this. After sealing the jar, the mixture steeps for a period of two to six weeks. After straining, the contents can be filled into a dark bottle. The dose for the tincture is between 10 and 50 drops per day. If the concentration is too intensive, it can also be diluted with water. Passion flower preparations are also offered in the form of finished medicinal products such as tablets, capsules and liquid and dry extracts. It is not uncommon for passion flower to be combined with other herbal remedies. These include, for example, lemon balm , hops, valerian and St. John’s wort .
What does passion flower help with?
- anxiety disorders in children
importance to health
The health value of passion flower is its calming effect. The plant has been proven to treat insomnia, restlessness, nervousness and nervous gastrointestinal complaints. Its positive effects on children who suffer from anxiety, depressive moods or attention problems are considered particularly effective. Dentists also use passion flower to calm anxious patients.
Passiflora incarnata is also recommended for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, bronchial asthma and high blood pressure. Furthermore, the medicinal plant is said to have a soothing effect on drug withdrawal, which has not yet been scientifically proven. The passion flower was already used medicinally by the North American Indians, who used the root of the plant. The medicinal herb was also used to treat insomnia and hysteria. Later, European herbal medicine also resorted to the effective remedy.
Side effects are rarely to be feared when using passion flower. In some cases, allergic reactions occur. If the passion flower extract is dosed too high, there is a risk of undesirable effects such as anxiety, chest pains , insomnia, tension headaches and sweating . Use during breastfeeding is not recommended.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.