American Passion Flower seed
Passiflora incarnata
Passion Flower is a nervine, aphrodisiac, hypnotic, anti-spasmodic, anodyne, diuretic, and hypotensive. It has a depressant effect on CNS activity and is hypotensive. They are used for their sedative and soothing properties, to lower blood pressure, prevent tachycardia and for insomnia. It has been used for nerve pain such as neuralgia, for dysmenorrhea, diarrhea, and for the viral infection of nerves called shingles. It has also been used to treat urinary infections.
Passionflower is one of nature’s best tranquilizers, recommended for times of extreme emotional upset.
Most commonly used for nervous conditions such as insomnia, restlessness, hysteria, mild depression, Parkinson’s disease, seizures, epilepsy, neuralgia, shingles, slightly reduces blood pressure, increases respiratory rate, good for muscle cramps, decreases motor activity, and nervous headache. Normally it is used as part of a prolonged treatment and in the form of professionally prepared medications. The fruit is rich in flavonoids and is diuretic and a nutritive tonic; fruits are edible and delicious.
Traditionally, the fresh or dried whole plant has been used as a herbal medicine to treat nervous anxiety and insomnia. In the form of a tea it may improve the subjective quality of sleep. The dried, ground herb is frequently used in Europe by drinking a teaspoon of it in tea.
Passionflower is used for sleep problems (insomnia), gastrointestinal (GI) upset related to anxiety or nervousness, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and relieving symptoms related to narcotic drug withdrawal.
Passionflower is also used for seizures, hysteria, asthma, symptoms of menopause, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), nervousness and excitability, palpitations, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, fibromyalgia, and pain relief.
Some people apply passionflower to the skin for hemorrhoids, burns, and pain and swelling (inflammation).
Passionflower was formerly approved as an over-the-counter sedative and sleep aid in the U.S., but it was taken off the market in 1978 because safety and effectiveness had not been proven.
Native Americans poulticed the root for boils, cuts, earaches, and inflammation.
Medicinal Properties: Anodyne, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, hypnotic, nervine, sedative
Tincture: take 15 to 60 drops in water, as needed. For restlessness in children, give 3 to 10 drops in water every 30 minutes until results are obtained.
For insomnia: Tincture of Skullcap, 1 oz. and Tincture of Passion flower, 1 oz. Dose: 20-60 drops in water as required.
