Passion Flower

Passiflora incarnata

Passiflora is an American vine, where it has a history with Native Americans as a poultice to treat bruises, and as a tea for sedative / anxiolytic affects. It can be grown in this country and, like a vine, its effects spread right through the body. It is a gentle nerve tonic for all nervous diseases, and also works well on the peripheral nervous system. It is used for treating anxiety, insomnia with restlessness, convulsions and fever in children (small doses, often repeated). It is useful in treating hysteria from psychactive drug use, and helps with involuntary twitching. For treating drug addiction, passiflora combines well with oats and hops.

It is useful in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome, to relax nervous tone and assist with energy conservation. It also help in tachycardia, to slow the racing heart.

Should be used with caution in pregnancy as it contains an alkaloid, harmaline, which is an emmenagogue.

Actions

• Anxiolytic
• Nervine
• Emmenagogue
• Sedative

Uses

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Drug withdrawal
• Tremors
• Parkinson's disease
• Chronic fatigue
• Tachycardia
• General nerve tonic