The soothing passionflower

Passionflower, Passiflora incantata, (aka Maypop) is such a pretty flower that comes from a vigorous dark-green leaved vine, which is a native of the southern US. Mine lives in my tunnel house. It died down over winter only to re-emerge as spring went on. There is a connection between the shape of the flower and the Passion of Christ according to the early Spanish missionaries to the New World. It is a close relative of the many well-known edible passionfruit as well as some toxic & invasive varieties.

The flowers bloom for just one day. After the flowers are pollinated, an edible egg-shaped fruit is formed.

The parts that are considered medicinal are the flowers, small stems and highest in the leaves before flowering or just when they start blooming.

Passionflower is best known for its sedative and nervine properties. It is considered to be a relaxing herb, one that may often be added to bedtime herbal teas or a herbal formula. It is better to use a different herb if you are prone to waking in the early morning and find it difficult to return to sleep.

It has antispasmodic and analgesic actions that may soothe headaches and migraines, menstrual craps or pain from shingles.

Passionflower is contraindicated during pregnancy and when someone has clinical depression.