Plant Study - Passionflower

Body:

Blue Passion Flower, Purple Passion Flower

Family Name: Passion flower family

Family Name: Passifloraceae

Latin Name: Passiflora careulea, Passiflora incarnata

Common Names: Common Passion Flower (Passiflora caerulea) (5), Purple Passionflower (8), Maypops (8, 10), Apricot-vine (8), Passiflore rouge (8), Passionsblume (8), Passion Vine (8), Granadilla (10), Maracoc (10)

Native American Names: None found

Related Species: P. caerulea, P. quadrangularis, P. edulis, P. macrocarpa, P. maliformis, P. laurifolia, P. contrayerva, P. normalis, P. foetida, P. rubra, P. capsularia (10)

Sitting With/Dreams/Sense of the Plant: In fall of 2006 I encountered this beautiful vine just inside the edible garden at Islandwood located on Bainbridge Island. The vine wrapped around a natural wood trellis which provided both privacy and beauty. It was here that my passion for this tropical looking flower began. Since then, I’ve envisioned a beautiful home for it on my personal property and began to investigate how I can propagate it to survive in the mild climates, though cold periods in the winter, of the Pacific Northwest.

Body System Affiliations:

1. Nervous System

2. Skin

Botanical Description:

Habit: Perennial

Size: Vine – 12-20 m if supported (5)

Arrangement: Alternate (5)

Leaves: Five-lobed (sometimes 3 or 7), 10-18 cm long and wide, the base of each leaf has a flagellate twining tendril 5-10 cm long which supports the plant. (5) Serrated leaves. (8)

Flowers: 10 cm diameter, whitish in color, surmounted by a corona of blue or violet filaments, then five greenish-yellow staments and three purple stigmas, usually fragrant, flowers year round in tropical climates. (5) Flowers bloom from June to August. (8)

Fruit: Oval orange-yellow berry 6 cm long and 4 cm in diameter, contains many seeds, seeds spread by mammals and birds after digestion, edible but insipid when eaten raw. (5)

Underground Parts: Taproot, fibrous root, rhizomatous, tuber, bulb, etc.

Ecology:

Habitat: Sandy thickets, open fields, roadsides, fence rows and waste places (8)

Range: United States – Eastern North America.

Diagram courtesy of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Plants Database (7)

Native Where: Virginia and Kenturcky, south to Florida and Texas (8)

Ecological Relationships: None found

Western (European-American) Uses/Relationships:

Food: Commonly found passion fruit, small berrylike fruit called granadilla or water lemon. (1) Can be eaten raw or cooked in jellies, jams, young leaves are used as a cooked vegetable or eaten in salads (8)

Materials/Technology: None found

Medicine:

Part Used: Plant and flower of Passifloria incarnata (6)

Medicinal Actions: Antispasmodic, Sedative; diaphoretic (P. incarnata) (6)

Indications: Back tension, Convulsion, Coughs, Eye tension, Fevers, Headaches, Hiccoughs, High blood pressure, Insomnia, Muscular twitching, Nervous tension, Reduced pulse during high fevers, Spasms, Stimulates respiration, Rheumatic pains (6)

Body System Associations: Nerves and circulation (6)

Applications: Infusion, tincture, fluid extract, powder (6)

Preparation: Infusion: Steep 5 to 15 minutes. 1 cup during the day

Pharmacy: Infusion: Steep 5 to 15 minutes. 1 cup during the day

Tincture: 15 to 60 drops in water as needed

Fluid Extract: 10 to 20 drops as needed (6)

Powder: 1 to 2 #0 capsules (3 to 10 grains) as needed

Other: “Passion flower is most commonly used for nervous conditions without pain, such as insomnia, restlessness, hysteria and nervous headaches. It tones the sympathetic nervous system. Passion flower is indicated in childhood nervous problems such as muscle twitching and irritability. In elderly people, it is good for sciatica and nerve debility.” (6)

Cautions: None found

Part Used: Passiflora incarnata: dried aerial parts, gathered during fruiting season (1)

Medicinal Actions: Mild sedative, antispasmodic, analgesic, anti-convulsant, anti-inflammatory (1)

Indications: tranquilize and settle edgy nerves, induces sleep without causing confusion upon awakening, calms nerves and induces relaxation during the periods or hormonal adjustment found during menses, parturition, and menopause, sleeplessness, nervous and high strung children (hyperactivity), cardiovascular neuroses, concentration problems, bronchial asthma, hemorrhoidal inflammations, (1)

Body System Associations: Nervous system, respiratory system (1)

Constituents: Glycosides, flavonoids (isovitexin 3.5-4.0 %), harmine and harmane alkaloids (passiforine, aribine, loturine, yageine) – results in spasmolytic toward smooth muscle and to lower blood pressure by expanding heart coronary vessels, maltol – results in mild sedative properties, serotonin (low levels) – results in natural calming properties and mood shifter to aid in concentration (1)

Applications: Tincture

Preparation: Dried aerial parts are gathered during fruiting season, then a dry hydroalcoholic extract is made. (1)

Pharmacy: 100-200 mg/day (1)

Bio-enhancing Agents: Hops, chamomile, skullcap, wood betony, valerian, L-tryptophan, GABA (1)

Cautions: None known. Use standardized whole plant extracts (1)

Part Used: Passiflora incarnata: leaves and stems (8)

Medicinal Actions: Antispasmodic, astringent, diaphoretic, hypnotic, narcotic, sedative, vasodilator, women’s complaints (8)

Indications: Insomnia, nervous tension, irritability, neuralgia, irritable bowel syndrome, premenstrual tension, vaginal discharges, back pain (depresses the motor nerves of the spinal cord), reduces blood pressure, increases respiratory rate, epilepsy (8)

Body System Associations: Nervous system, respiratory system, circulatory system (8)

Constituents: Flavonoids – responsible for relaxing and antianxiety effects, apigenin, luteolin, kaempferol, quercetin – assisting patients with Parkinson’s Disease, Cancer, HIV, Leukemia. Alkaloids and flavonoids – acts as a non-addictive sedative that does not cause drowsiness (8)

Applications: Tincture, tea (8)

Preparation: 1 Tbsp dried herb: 1 cup boiling water. Steep for 10 min. Drink at bedtime for restlessness. (8)

Pharmacy: None found

Cautions: Not recommended for use during pregnancy (8)

Part Used: Passiflora incarnata

Indications: Epilepsy, diarrhea, dysentery, neuralgia, sleeplessness, dysmenorrhoea (10)

Body System Associations: Nervous system, respiratory system, circulatory system (8)

Constituents: Passiflorine (similar to morphine) (10)

Preparation: 3 to 10 grains. Fluid extract = 10 to 20 minims (10)

Cautions: None found

Part Used: Not indicated

Indications: Anxiety, nervousness (without common dependence and withdrawal found with prescription medications) (11)

Constituents: Flavonoids, alkaloids, chrysin (calms central nervous system, lowers blood pressure) (11)

Preparation: Capsule, liquid extract, dried herb (11)

Pharmacy: Capsule – 300 to 450 mg capsule one hour in advance of a stressful situation, or 300 to 450 mg up to three times daily for chronic anxiety. (11)

Liquid extract – 30 drops in a few ounces water or juice, on to three times daily (11)

Dried herb – Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 teaspoon dried herb, steep for 15 minutes, drink twice daily for anxiety-easing tea (11)

Other: “In a double-blind study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics in 2001, 32 people suffering from general anxiety disorder were treated daily with either 45 drops of passionflower liquid extract or 30 mg of oxazepam, a common anti-anxiety drug. After four weeks, both groups showed a significant decrease in their anxiety symptoms. But none of the people taking passionflower reported severely impaired job performance, while 44 percent of the patients taking oxazepam did. In a study published last year in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, researchers gave passionflower extract to alcohol-addicted mice undergoing alcohol withdrawal. The herbal extract reduced the mice's withdrawal anxiety by up to 90 percent compared to mice that received no treatment.” (11)

Cautions: May cause drowsiness. Talk with your health care practitioner before using for you have a bleeding or clotting disorder or take sedative medications, including antihistamines and sleep aids – effect may be intensified. Don’t exceed recommended dosages. Don’t use if pregnant or nursing. (11)

Part Used: Plant (after berry maturation) and dried flower (12)

Medicinal Actions: Diuretic (P. edulis, leaves) (12), antispasmodic, sedative, analgesic, anticonvulsant, sleep-inducing, spasmolytic (12)

Indications: Bronchial asthma, burns, topical inflammation (decoction) (12), hemorrhoidal inflammations (P. edulis, leaves) (12), tetanus, easily excited and high-strung children, cardiovascular neuroses, coronary illness, circulation weakness, insomnia, problematic menopause, child concentration problems, geriatrics (12)

Constituents: Alkaloids, apigenin, carbohydrates, coumarins, flavonoids, fructose, fructose, gum, harmaline, harmalol, harman, harmine, maltol, plant alcohols, orientin, raffinose, saponaretin, saponarin, scopoletin, stigmasterol, sitosterol, sterols, sucrose, umbelliferone, vitexin (12)

Other: “Passion flower is one of the main constituents of a German sleeping pill called Vita-Dor. This product, also containing aprobarbital, valerian root, hops, mellissa, and thiamine, is highly effective in inducing and maintaining sleep throughout the night. A recent Romanian patent was issued for a sedative chewing gum that contains passion flower extract in a base of several vitamins.” (12)

Cautions: Use caution when used in conjunction with CNS-depressants or stimulants. Do not use in conjunction with potent CNS-depressant analgesic, methotrimeprazine. Avoid use with procarbazine antineoplastic drugs. Neuromuscular relaxing action may be enhanced by the use of certain aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as clindamycin. (12)

Part Used: Not indicated.

Medicinal Actions: Aphrodisiac (13)

Indications: Restlessness, anxiety, insomnia, congestive heart failure, alcohol withdrawal, asthma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, bacterial infections, skin burns, cancer, cough, drug addiction, Epstein-Barr virus, gastrointestinal discomfort, hemorrhoids, high blood pressure, hot flashes associated with menopause, muscle spasms, pain seizures, wrinkles (when applied to the skin) (13)

Applications: Tincture, tea (12)

Pharmacy: Recommended only for adults 18 and over: Dried passionflower herb: 0.5 grams three to four times per day taken by mouth; Tincture: one to four milliliters (1:8) three to four times per day taken by mouth, Tea: four to eight grams dried passionflower herb steeped in water once per day.

Cautions: “Asthma symptoms, irritated sinuses, skin rashes and inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis) have rarely been reported with the use of passionflower. If you experience these reactions, stop treatment immediately and contact a health care professional.” (13)

“Drowsiness or sedation may occur. Use caution if you are driving or operating heavy machinery. Use of tinctures, which contain alcohol, may increase these effects. Nausea and severe vomiting have been reported in a patient taking the passionflower product Sedacalm. The symptoms stopped after one week of care. Another person taking Sedacalm experienced a dangerous abnormal heart rhythm (ventricular tachycardia). She stopped taking the product and recovered after several days of hospital care. Impurities are sometimes found in passionflower products and may cause side effects. There is a case report of liver failure and death of a patient taking a preparation of passionflower with kava kava. Patients should use caution with any kava-containing products, as kava has been associated with liver damage.” (13)

“Passionflower is not recommended during pregnancy or breast-feeding because animal studies have shown that it may stimulate the uterus. Be aware that many tinctures contain high levels of alcohol and should be avoided during pregnancy.” (13)

“Increased sedation or low blood pressure could result from taking passionflower with certain drugs used for depression. These include monoamine oxidase inhibitors, such as tranylcypromine (Parnate); tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline (Elavil); and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine (Prozac). This is based on the presence of certain chemicals in passionflower, although these reactions have not been studied or reported in humans.

Based on animal studies, passionflower may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some drugs. Examples include benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam (Ativan); barbiturates, such as phenobarbital; narcotics, such as codeine; and alcohol. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery.

In theory, passionflower may increase the risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs. Examples include warfarin (Coumadin), heparin and clopidogrel (Plavix). Some pain relievers may also increase the risk of bleeding if used with passionflower, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox).

Be aware that many tinctures contain high levels of alcohol and may cause nausea or vomiting when taken with metronidazole (Flagyl) or disulfiram (Antabuse).

Passionflower may increase the effects of herbs and supplements that cause drowsiness, such as valerian. Passionflower and kava together caused increased drowsiness in mice. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery.

Herbs and supplements with possible effects of monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may lead to increased sedation or low blood pressure when taken with passionflower. For example, kava (Piper methysticum) is believed to have weak monoamine oxidase inhibitor effects. In theory, passionflower may increase the risk of bleeding when also taken with other products that are believed to increase the risk of bleeding. Examples include Ginkgo biloba and garlic (Allium sativum). Caffeine taken with passionflower may increase blood pressure.” (13)

Indigenous and Non-Western Use/Significance/Relationships:

Food: Cherokee use to make a social drink, crushed the fruit and strained it into a juice, and may have mixed it with flour or cornmeal to thicken and used as a beverage. (2) Fruit can also be eaten raw. (2) Young shoots and leaves can be boiled or fried and eaten alone or with other greens. (2) The leaves can be parboiled, rinsed and cooked in hot grease with salt as a potherb. (2)

Materials/Technology: None found

Medicine:

Indigenous Group: Cherokee (2).

Part Used: Root (2)

Medicinal Actions: Dermatological Aid for boils (2)

Applications: Infusion (2)

Cautions: None found

Indigenous Group: Cherokee (2).

Part Used: Root (2)

Medicinal Actions: Dermatological Aid for brier or locust wounds (2)

Applications: Pounded root applied directly to wound(2)

Cautions: None found

Indigenous Group: Cherokee (2)

Part Used: Root (2)

Medicinal Actions: Given to babies to aid in weaning(2)

Preparation: Infusion (2)

Indigenous Group: Cherokee (2)

Part Used: Root (2)

Medicinal Actions: Beaten root dropped into ear for earache (2)

Preparation: Warm Infusion (2)

Indigenous Group: Cherokee (2)

Part Used: Root (2)

Medicinal Actions: Liver aid and boils (2)

Indications: Infusion taken for liver and compound infusion of root used for boils (2)

Preparation: Infusion, compound infusion (2)

Indigenous Group: Cherokee (2)

Part Used: Root (2)

Medicinal Actions: Blood Tonic (2)

Preparation: Infusion (2)

Propagation:

Technique: Seed or cutting. Can by layered in summer. (5) Root division and wild transplanting (8)

Cultivation: “Plant in rich, well-drained soil in full sun and provide support. Water regularly in summer. Prune congested or overgrown plants in spring.”(5) “They are susceptible to nematodes. P. caerulea is the most frost hardy species in the genus, hardy to 15O C, or USDA zone 7. Severe frost will cut the plant to the ground, but it will produce new growth from the base.” (5)

“Requires well-drained soil, sandy slightly acid soil in full sun. A trellis should be provided, since it is a tendril climbing vine…it grows very quickly.” (8)

“It prefers a light, rich soil, and does well in dry areas. Passiflora grows readily from the seed, but takes several weeks to sprout. It is best sown on the surface of light soil or peat moss with bottom heat. The young plants may be planted in the open after 6 months. It may be propagated easily by cuttings of half-ripened growth. These should be about 6 inches long; they will root easily in sand and do not require bottom heat. The vines may eventually overgrow and tangle themselves. Thin them out by cutting branches back to their beginnings. Passion flower dies back at the first frost. (9)

Harvest:

Plant Part: Aerial part (leaves, stems, flowers) (8)

Season of Harvest: Only once each season after plant flowers (8)

Method of Harvest: Keep freshly cut herb in shade until finished with harvest, then take immediately to drying area. Do not heat plant material. Dry plant material in a warm location with adequate airflow, such as a large dehydrator, converted greenhouse, or converted barn rooms. Dry at 95-100OF, turning the herb often to allow for aeration and to prevent mold. The best quality dehydrated plant material will retain its full color. If drying in a humid climate, the temperature may need to be increased. Once dried package material in woven poly bags that are light proof, or store in corrugated boxes. Store in a cool, dry, and dark location. (8) “The leaves, stems and flowers may be harvested at any time. This is a good way to keep the plant from crowding itself. Each year before the frost kills it, the entire vine may be cut back to the ground, yielding great quantities of herb. It may be dried in the sun or at a low heat. (9)

Personal Experience:

Medicine:

Part Used: Flower and leaf

Desired Medicinal Actions: Relieve anxiety, calm nervousness

Targeted Indications: Calm anxiety

Procurement: Tincture

Source: Fresh, organic Passion Flower flower and leaf

Condition Tincture

Cost: Approx. $7

Other Procurement Information: Made by Eclectic Institute, Inc. Sandy, OR

Application/Preparation/Pharmacy:

Applications Tea

Preparation: 1. Boiled water; 2. Added recommended amount of tincture to hot water

Pharmacy: One dropper full (approx. 15 drops) in an 8 oz cup of hot water

Reason/Purpose: Relieve anxiety

Experience: The tea brought on a mild headache followed by a euphoric feeling similar to a mild drunkenness. Anxiety was reduced, although thinking was not enhanced. When tried again one week later, the experience was not as euphoric, but anxiety was lessened still. I tried it again in another week, I felt more in control compared to the first time, and anxiety was still reduced.

Cautions based on experience: Do not drive or operate machinery until understanding of medicinal side effects.

Other: The tincture has a very earthy, bitter taste. I used it in combination of a strong tasting green tea with ginger and pear, which helped cover up the flavor of the tincture.

Other Notes of Interest: Name refers to the Passion of Christ on the cross. Spanish Christian missionaries discovered the flower and related it physical structures to the symbols of Christ’s crucifixion. The 72 radial filaments (or corona) represent the Crown of Thorns. The ten petals and sepals represent Christ’s apostles. The top 3 stigmata represent the 3 nails in the cross and the lower 5 anthers represent Christ’s 5 wounds. (4)The ovary and its stalk represent the chalice of the Last Supper, the corona represents the crown of thorns, the old leaves represent those who persecuted Christ, the young leaves represent the point of the lance used to stab him, and the tendrils represent the whips of those who beat him. (5)

Other origins of the name include Espina de Cristo (Christ’s Thorn) from Spain, Muttergottes-Schuzchen (Mother-of-God Star) from Germany, and clock-faced flowers and a symbol for homosexual youths in Japan. In North America it has been given many names including Maypop, the water lemon, the wild apricot, and ocoee by Native Americans in the Tennessee area. (4)

Drawings, Photographs or Pressings [on separate pages]:

Fruit of Passiflora caerulea.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (Image: Passiflora caerulea (2005 10 08) – vrucht open (2).jpg)

Flower of Passiflora spp.

Photo courtesy Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Image: Passionflower.jpg)

References Cited:

1. Flynn, Rebecca and Mark Roest. Your Guide to Standardized Herbal Products. Information found on website for The Saw Palmetto Harvesting Company. Online at http://www.passionflower.org/libpassion.html [1]. [accessed 17 February 2007].

2. Moerman, Daniel E. Native American Ethnobotany Database. Aug 1999. Online at http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl [2]. [accessed 13 February 2007].

3. Author Unknown. Cambridge Soft ChemFinder Website. Online at

http:///www.chemfinder.com [3]. Constantly Updated. Visited 2-21-

2001.

4. “Passion flower.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 7 Feb 2007, 05:29 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Passion_flower&oldid=106248474 [4] [accessed 13 February 2007]

5. "Passiflora caerulea." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 29 Jan 2007, 12:22 UTC. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Passiflora_caerulea&oldid=104068422 [5] [accessed 13 February 2007]

6. Santillo, Humbart. Natural Healing with Herbs. Hohm Press: 1993.

7. Author Unknown. United States Department of Agriculture: Natural Resources Conservation Service, Plants Database. Online at http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PAIN6 [6]. [accessed 13 February 2007]

8. Jackson, Deb and Karen Bergeron. Alternative Nature Online Herbal. Online at http://altnature.com/gallery/passionflower.htm [7]. [accessed 17 February 2007].

9. Grubber, Hudson. “Growing the Hallucinogens: How to Cultivate and Harvest Legal Psychoactive Plants.” Website for The Vaults of Erowid. Online at http://www.erowid.org/psychoactives/cultivation/cultivation_growing-the-hallucinogens.shtml#PASSIONFLOWER [8]. [accessed 16 February 2007].

10. Grieve, M. “Passion Flower”. Botanical.com: A Modern Herbal. Online at http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/p/pasflo14.html [9]. [accessed 25 February 2007].

11. Chelf, Stephanie. “Relax with passionflower: this herb can ease your anxiety without severe side effects – Herb Brief”. Natural Health. August 2003.

12. Author Unknown. “Passion Flower”. Springboard: The Nutrition Notebook. Online at http://www.springboard4health.com/notebook/herbs_passion_flower.html [10]. [accessed 25 February 2007].

13. “Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata). Online at Aetna InteliHealth: Diseases & Conditions: Complementary & Alternative Medicine. http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/8513/31402/346376.html?d=dmtContent [11]. [accessed 25 February 2007].

Suzanne Robinson - Healing Gardens - Winter Quarter - 2007

Name: Suzanne Robinson