Passion Flower

There are over 400 species in this large genus, which occurs in tropical America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific islands. It consists mainly of tendril climbers and climbing shrubs, with some perennials, small trees, and shrubs. Many of the climbing species are grown as ornamentals for their unique flowers, and often edible fruits. Spanish missionaries in S America regarded the flowers as symbols of Chirst's passion-the three stigmas representing the nails, the five anthers the wounds, and the ten sepals the apostles (Peter and Judas Iscariot being absent). Passionflowers may be grown outdoors where the climate permits, or in pots, trained on a trellis or frame, under glass. The American P. incarnata is one of the hardiest species, and deserves a place in the herb garden for its handsome foliage, flowers, and fruits, as well as for its importance as a medicinal plant. It was used in native N American medicine, notably by the Houma tribe, who added it to drinking water as a tonic. Passiflora incarnata was first described by a visiting European doctor in 1783 as a remedy for epilepsy; it became a popular treatment for insomnia in the 19th century, and later entered the U.S. National Formulary (1916-1936). The herb contains alkaloids, glycosides, and flavonoids, which are effective, non-addictive sedatives; in prescribed doses it does not cause drowsiness. One flavonoid, apigenin, is an anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory, and occurs in various unrelated plants, notably Apium graveolens (See, Wild Celery).

A climbing vine native to North, Central, and South America, passion flower is known for its beautiful, large, aromatic flowers. The name passion flower dates back to the seventeenth century and refers to the passion of Christ: the flower's twelve petals represent the apostles, and its three stamens represent his wounds. One double-blind study found that 45 drops per day of passion flower extract taken for four weeks was as effective in relieving anxiety as 30 mg per day of oxazepam, a standard anti-anxiety medicine.

Perennial climber, deciduous in cold areas, with deeply 3- to 5-lobed, finely toothed leaves, to 15cm (6in) long. Fragrant lavender to white flowers, to 7cm (3in) across, appear in summer, followed by ovoid, yellow fruits, to 5cm (2in) long.


Common Name:
Passion Flower
Other Names:
Apricot Vine, Jamaican Honeysuckle, Maypops, Passion Vine, Passion Fruit, wild passionflower.
Botanical Name:
Passiflora incarnata
Genus:
Passiflora
Family:
Passifloraceae
Native Location:
E USA
Cultivation:
Well-drained, sandy, slightly acid soil in sun. Cut back in early spring. Cucumber mosaic virus may attack leaves.
Propagation:
By seed sown in spring, at 18-21°C (64-79°F); by semi-ripe cuttings in summer; by layering in spring. Germination is slow and erratic.
Harvest:
Plants are cut when fruiting and dried for use in infusions, liquid extracts, tablets, and tinctures. Fruits for culinary use are picked when ripe in autumn and used fresh or cooked.
Warning:
High doses are contraindicated during pregnancy.
Height:
2-8m (6-25ft)
Hardiness:
Z7-10
Parts Used:
All above ground parts, Whole plant, fruits.
Properties:
A bitter, sedative, cooling herb that releives pain, relaxes spasms, and lowers blood pressure.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for nervous tension, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, tension headache, asthma, irritable bowl syndrome, premenstrual tension, nervous tachycardia, hypertension, and shingles; also to assist withdrawal from addictive drugs, including Benzodiazepine and Valium. Combines well with Chamaemelum nobile (See, Roman Chamomile), Humulus lupulus (See, Hops), and Valeriana officinalis (See, Valerian) for drug addiction.
To treat anxiety, hysteria, and nervous gastrointestinal problems; to treat opiate withdrawal. Germany's Commission E has approved the use of passion flower to treat insomnia and nervousness.
Typical Dose:
A typical dose of passion flower is approximately 1 tsp of dried herb mixed with 150 ml of boiling water, steeped for 10 minutes, strained and taken as a tea.
Possible Side Effects:
Passion flower's side effects include nausea, vomiting and allergic reactions.
Drug Interactions:
Taking passion flower with these drugs may increase the risk of bleeding or bruising:
Abciximab, (ReoPro)
Aspirin, (Bufferin, Ecotrin)
Celecoxib, (Celebrex)
Enoxaparin, (Lovenox)
Etodolac, (Lodine, Utradol)
Heparin, (Hepalean, Hep-Lock)
Ibuprofen, (Advil, Motrin)
Indomethacin, (Indocin, Novo-Methacin)
Ketoprofen, (Orudis, Rhodis)
Ketorolac, (Acular, Toradol)
Meloxicam, (MOBIC, Mobicox)
Naproxen, (Aleve, Naprosyn)
Piroxicam, (Feldene, Nu-Pirox)
Rofecoxib, (Vioxx)
Ticlopidine, (Alti-Ticlopidine, Ticlid)
Urokinase, (Abbokinase)
Warfarin, (Coumadin, Jantoven)
Taking passion flower with these drugs may increase the risk of excessive sedation and mental depression and impairment:
Acetaminophen and Codeine, (Capital and Codeine, Tylenol with Codeine)
Alfentanil, (Alfenta)
Alprazolam, (Apo-Alpraz, Xanax)
Amobarbital, (Amytal)
Amobarbital and Secobarbital, (Tuinal)
Aspirin and Codeine, (Coryphen Codeine)
Belladonna and Opium, (B&O Supprettes)
Bromazepam, (Apo-Bromazepam, Gen-Bromazepam)
Brotizolam, (Lendorm, Sintonal)
Buprenorphine, (Buprenex, Subutex)
Buprenorphine and Naloxone, (Suboxone)
Butabarbital, (Butisol Sodium)
Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and Caffeine, (Esgic, Fioricet)
Butalbital, Aspirin, and Caffeine, (Fiorinal)
Butorphanol, (Apo-Butorphanol, Stadol)
Chloral Hydrate, (Aquachloral Supprettes, Somnote)
Chlordiazepoxide, (Apo-Chlordiazepoxide, Librium)
Clobazam, (Alt-Clobazam, Frisium)
Clonazepam, (Klonopin, Rivotril)
Clorazepate, (Tranxene, T-Tab)
Codeine, (Codeine Contin)
Dexmedetomidine, (Precedex)
Diazepam, (Apo-Diazepam, Valium)
Dihydrocodeine, Aspirin, and Caffeine, (Synalgos-DC)
Diphenhydramine, (Benadryl Allergy, Nytol)
Estazolam, (ProSom)
Fentanyl, (Actiq, Duragesic)
Flurazepam, (Apo-Flurazepam, Dalmane)
Glutethimide, (Glutethimide)
Haloperidol, (Haldol, Novo-Peridol)
Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen, (Vicodin, Zydone)
Hydrocodone and Aspirin, (Damason-P)
Hydrocodone and Ibuprofen, (Vicoprofen)
Hydromorphone, (Dilaudid, PMS-Hydromorphone)
Hydroxyzine, (Atarax, Vistaril)
Levomethadyl Acetate Hydrochloride, (Levomethadyl Acetate Hydrochloride)
Levorphanol, (LevoDromoran)
Loprazolam, (Dormonoct, Havlane)
Lorazepam, (Ativan, Nu-Loraz)
Meperidine, (Demerol, Meperitab)
Meperidine and Promethazine, (Meperidine and Promethazine)
Mephobarbital, (Mebaral)
Methadone, (Dolophine, Methadose)
Methohexital, (Brevital, Brevital Sodium)
Midazolam, (Apo-Midazolam, Versed)
Morphine Sulfate, (Kadian, MS Contin)
Nalbuphine, (Nubain)
Opium Tincture, (Opium Tincture)
Oxycodone, (OxyContin, Roxicodone)
Oxycodone and Acetaminophen, (Endocet, Percocet)
Oxycodone and Aspirin, (Endodan, Percodan)
Oxymorphone, (Numorphan)
Paregoric, (Paregoric)
Pentazocine, (Talwin)
Pentobarbital, (Nembutal)
Phenobarbital, (Luminal Sodium, PMS-Phenobarbital)
Phenoperidine, (Phenoperidine)
Prazepam, (Prazepam)
Primidone, (Apo-Primidone, Mysoline)
Promethazine, (Phenergan)
Propofol, (Diprivan)
Propoxyphene, (Darvon, Darvon-N)
Propoxyphene and Acetaminophen, (Darvocet-N 50, Darvocet-N 100)
Propoxyphene, Aspirin, and Caffeine, (Darvon Compound)
Quazepam, (Doral)
Remifentanil, (Ultiva)
Secobarbital, (Seconal)
Sodium Oxybate, (Xyrem)
Sufentanil, (Sufenta)
S-Zopiclone, (Lunesta)
Temazepam, (Novo-Temazepam, Restoril)
Tetrazepam, (Mobiforton, Musapam)
Thiopental, (Pentothal)
Triazolam, (Apo-Triazo, Halcion)
Zaleplon, (Sonata, Stamoc)
Zolpidem, (Ambien)
Zopiclone, (Alti-Zopiclone, Gen-Zopiclone)
Taking passion flower with this drug may be harmful:
Selegiline, (Eldepryl)—may increase the therapeutic and/or adverse effects of the drug.
Supplement Interactions:
Culinary Uses:
Ripe fruits are eaten raw, and made into jams, jellies, wines, and fruit-based drinks. Flowers are made into syrup.
Bibliography:
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. Pg 303
The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp.362-365