Passion Flower

Can be found in our Stress Guard product.

Herbal Medicine Materia Medica: PASSION FLOWER

David Hoffmann L. BSc (Hons), MNIMH ©

 

Passiflora incarnata

 

Part Used: Leaves and whole plant.

 

 

Constituents:

 

• Alkaloids; harmine, harman, harmol, harmaline, harmalol, and passaflorine.
• Flavonoids; apigenin and various glycosides, homoorientin, isovitexin,kaempferol, luteolin, orientin, quercitin, rutin, saponaretin, saponarin andvitexen.

 

Actions: Nervine, hypnotic, anti-spasmodic, anodyne, hypotensive.

 

 

Indications: Passiflora has a depressant effect on C.N.S.activity and is hypotensive; they are used for their sedative and soothing properties, to lower blood pressure, prevent tachycardia and for insomnia. The alkaloids and flavonoids have both been reported to have sedative activity in animals. Many of the flavonoids, such as apigenin, are well-known for pharmacological activity, particularly anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory activities. It is the herb of choice for treating intransigent insomnia.It aids the transition into a restful sleep without any 'narcotic' hangover.It may be used wherever an anti-spasmodic is required, e.g. in Parkinson'sdisease, seizures and hysteria. It can be very effective in nerve pain such as neuralgia and the viral infection of nerves called shingles.It may be used in asthma where there is much spasmodic activity, especially when there is associated tension.

 

Ellingwood considered it specific for "wakefulness, disturbed sleep from mental worry, and exhaustion from cerebral fulness and from excitement, especially with feebleness. Anemic patients are relieved by it, also the wakefulness of infants and the aged. It is not usually efficient if the wakefulness is caused by pain, nor when the patient is in full strength.Nervous excitement, and irritation with muscular  twitchings, evidences of approaching convulsions in childhood, with marked cerebral fulness are indications, and it is given at any time preceding or during convulsive paroxysms if it can be swallowed. It is indicated in convulsions of any character." In addition he recommends it for the following conditions:convulsions of childhood, severe spasms, epilepsy, chorea, tetanus, hysteria, persistent hiccough, sleeplessness of tuberculosis.