Joan Perry of Oregon Meadow Herb Company has a nice article written in everyday terms on Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata) posted on OregonLive.com. A quick excerpt:

"The ancient Aztecs brewed the leaves of this perennial North American native in a tea. It was used as a mild sedative and to relieve anxiety. These are still the primary medicinal uses of this lovely vine today.

There are a number of chemical compounds found in the leaves, yet not one of them is responsible for the sedative effects. As with most herbs, it is the synergistic blend of all of the constituents that provide the medicinal benefits."

I really like using Passiflora for myself as well as clients. Very gentle relaxant and a great tasting tea. Thanks, Joan, for posting this for everyone!

(As these things tend to disappear from news sites after awhile, I'm keeping a copy on my server. All rights to the original author apply.)

Passion Flower: A symbolic, relaxing beauty

12/3/02

By Joan Perry

For The Argus

Editor's note: Herbal remedies might not be for everyone. It's always advisable to consult your doctor first.

Several years ago I had a number of pet rabbits that ran loose in my back yard. I wanted to allow the rabbits to live a life of freedom, while at the same time indulge my love of plants.

Therefore, I had to find creative ways of keeping my plants from being devoured. One of the most successful ideas involved my Passion Flower vine, Passiflora incarnata.

Instead of planting the vine at the base of a trellis, I planted it in a hanging basket hooked onto a tall pole and let it cascade freely.

The rabbits 'pruned' as much of the vine as they could reach, thereby stimulating it to become bushy and lush. By flowering time in July, it was absolutely gorgeous, with plenty of leaves for medicinal purposes.

The ancient Aztecs brewed the leaves of this perennial North American native in a tea. It was used as a mild sedative and to relieve anxiety. These are still the primary medicinal uses of this lovely vine today.

There are a number of chemical compounds found in the leaves, yet not one of them is responsible for the sedative effects. As with most herbs, it is the synergistic blend of all of the constituents that provide the medicinal benefits.

The amount of harmine in passion flower is very small. To be honest, I haven't noticed any of my herbal friends becoming measurably more truthful after indulging in the tea.

To brew a tea, pour boiling water over one to two teaspoon of dried leaf, cover, and let steep for about 15 minutes.

When using fresh leaves, harvest when the vine is in flower and use one tablespoon per cup of boiling water. Strain the herb out and drink. Follow the manufacturer's directions on the bottle if using an alcohol or glycerin extract.

Passion flower is often blended with other relaxing herbs, such as skullcap, catnip, chamomile, or other more potent herbs such as kava kava and valerian root.

You may be wondering why such a mellow herb would be called 'passion' flower. Early Christian explorers in South America believed that the plant parts symbolized the crucifixion, or 'passion' of Jesus Christ.

The five petals and five sepals were thought to represent the 10 faithful apostles. The five stamens represent Christ's five wounds. The vine's curling tendrils represent the whips used by the persecutors.

The lobed leaves represent the hands of the tormentors. The three styles represent the three nails used and the corona represents the crown of thorns.

Whether or not passion flower is symbolic, it can certainly be appreciated for its beauty alone. It can be grown from cutting or seeds in full sun, with good drainage.

It grows rapidly to up to 30 feet high. Passion flower is hardy down to about 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Sweet, edible egg shaped fruits called granadilla are produced in the summer.

If ingesting passion flower, make sure you have the correct species 'Passiflora incarnata.' Another common passion flower species, 'Passiflora caerulea,' contains cyanide poison, and is obviously not safe.

To be safe, do not give passion flower to very small children. Do not ingest if pregnant.

Joan Perry owns Oregon Meadow Herb Company at 238 SE 2nd Ave., Hillsboro. Call her at 503-693-3540, or go to www.oregonmeadowherbs.com.

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