Passiflora incarnata L. Passion Flower, Maypop
Family: Passifloraceae
Description: “Perennial climber with deeply-lobed leaves, about 15cm long. Fragrant lavender to white flowers, up to 6cm across appear in summer, followed by ovoid, yellow fruits, about 15cm long. H 8m. Fully hardy.” (Bown, 1995)
Habitat: Native to USA, cultivated elsewhere.
Harvest: Plants are cut when fruiting and dried (Bown, 1995). AD recommends using organic tincture only to be sure of species.
Parts used: LEAVES, WHOLE PLANT.
Dosage: 1:5 1-10ml, FE 1-5ml, dried 2-8g daily;
Actions:
-SEDATIVE,
-HYPNOTIC,
-ANTI-SPASMODIC,
-HYPOTENSIVE,
-ANODYNE (Wren, 1988);
Indications:
-Sleep disorders,
-Restlessness, muscle spasms at night AD,
-Nervous stress,
-Anxiety,
-Neuralgia,
-Nervous tachycardia (Bradley, 1992);
-Spasmodic asthma, esp. nervous type,
-Agitated seizures, esp. as a tea for children prone to convulsions AD;
Safety: Very safe.
Contra-indications: None known (Bradley);
Key Constituents (Bradley):
-Flavonoids, ca. 1%, principally C-glycosides of the flavones apigenin and luteolin; isovitexin and isoorientin recently identified as major compounds,
-Chlorogenic acid,
-Maltol, ca. 0.05%,
-Gynocardin, a cyanogenic glucoside,
-Possible traces of harmane alkaloids, depending on development stage of plant;
Pharmacology: Passiflora extracts have been shown to reduce locomotor activity, prolong sleeping time, raise the nociceptive threshold and produce an anxiolytic effect in mice and reduce general activity in rats.
Despite considerable research, actinve constituents remain undefined. Maltol shows sedative and antispasmodic effects in mice but only at high levels quite unrelated to the small levels present in Passiflora. (Bradley) Apigenin is known especially for its anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory action. (Wren, 1988)
Clinical trials: Research reveals no sedation the morning after (Bloomfield, 1998).
Toxicology: No studies found.
History: Name is reference to passion of Christ and derived from appearance of the flower. Eclectics used it for coughs (with spasms), hiccups, and sleeplessness, esp. for children and elderly; also as a poultice for headaches and rheumatic joints.
Traditional and Practitioner sources:
“Relaxing nervine, cerebral vasorelaxant -relieves cerebral irritation. Indicated for conditions of agitation and exhaustion with muscular twitching.
Individual indications:
-Mild convulsive or tremulous states -unrest and agitation.
-Restfulness and wakefulness in infants and the elderly -with Humulus.
-Childhood convulsions, spasms and teething” Priest and Priest 1983: 80
Carol Rogers recommends an infusion of Passion flower for anxiety and insomnia during pregnancy: half to 1g per cup 3 times a day or 2ml tincture twice daily. Also recommended, and to be combined if wished, are chamomile, limeflowers, melissa and motherwort. (1995: 47)
