Passion flower herb, c/s

Scientific Name: Passiflora incarnata
Origin: United States
Approx. Cups/Lb: 11 cups


Herb:  Passion Flower

Botanical Name:  Passiflora incarnata

Common Names:  Passion Vine, Maypop, Apricot Vine, Granadilla, Wild Water Lemon

Habitat/Range: Native to southeastern United States, Argentina and Brazil, now cultivated in much of Europe.

Description:  Passion flower is one of 500 or so species that make up the Passifloraceae family of flowering plants and vines, many of which produce exceptionally showy blooms with an abundance of nectar that attract insects and birds. P. incarnata is one of the hardiest species and is commonly found thriving in wayside pastures, thickets and along river banks of the southeastern United States. In fact, passion flower is that state flower of Tennessee. 

Parts Used:  Dried herb, aerial parts.

Traditional Uses:  Native Americans made tea from the leaves and roots of passion flower to relieve pain. Externally, it is used as a bath additive to induce relaxation.

Chemical Composition:  Passion flower contains a variety of flavonoid compounds and cyanogenic glycosides.  P. incarnata is one of the species in this family of plants that contains harmala alkaloids. (1)

Pharmacological Actions:  Harmala alkaloids act like monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs, a class of anti-depressant drugs that prevent the metabolism of monoamine compounds, namely serotonin and norepinephrine. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, scientists suspect that passion flower compounds promote calmness and relaxation by increasing levels of a brain chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid. 


Side Effects/Drug Interactions

Passion flower is considered safe in therapeutic dosages, but should not be used during pregnancy or lactation. This herb may interfere with certain sedative medications, including tricyclic antidepressants and anti-seizure drugs. Passion flower may also increase the effects of blood-thinning medications and increase the risk of bleeding.