Description
All Passionflowers share a majority of unifying characteristics. They are vining plants that trail on the ground or climb into supporting vegetation. The anchoring tendrils are opposite the deeply lobed leaves, which alternate along the stem. The flowers form on axillary peduncles of varying length; depending on species, they are generally a showy affair of different color. Normally there is a base of 5 or 10 tepals. Resting on top of this arrangement is a fringed corona, comprised of numerous filaments. Above this are 5 stamens and 3 styles in whorled patterns. The fruits are many seeded and depending on variety can be sweet and aromatic.
Passiflora mexicana’s leaves are deeply 2-lobed, appearing like a pair of pants. The mid-vein area traversing each lobe can have a whitish coloration. The corona is purplish-pink. P. foetida has 3-5 lobed leaves; they are grayish-green and felty. Its corona is lilac-colored. P. incarnate has 3-lobed leaves with pale blue-violet filaments.
Distribution
Look for Passiflora mexicana throughout southeastern Arizona between 2,500-5,000 feet. The plant is commonly found growing up among Mesquites along streams and gullies that run with seasonal water. P. foetida ranges from southern Arizona and southern New Mexico to Texas and Chihuahua. It is considered a weed throughout much of the tropical world. P. incarnate grows in warmer temperate regions. It is found throughout the southeast and as far west as Texas. Other varieties are planted as ornamentals throughout warmer parts of the west. The bulk of over 300 species exist throughout Tropical America.
Chemistry
For Passiflora incarnata: indole alkaloids: harman, harmin, harmalin, harmol and harmalol; flavonoids: orientin, isoorientin, vitexin and isovitexin; cyanogenic glycosides
Medicinal Uses
Passionflower is a multi-faceted sedative. It is applicable to several different stress patterns and if used properly can take the place of herbal regiments that comprise a number of herbs. Firstly, use Passionflower to take the edge off anxiousness and tension from daily stresses. Stronger doses of 1 teaspoon of tincture taken before bed can be quite effective in alleviating insomnia; Passionflower works best in thin, easily stressed, nervous individuals. Other more robust body types may respond well to Passionflower but less predictably. If timed well Passionflower diminishes mild seizure activity; take the herb before an episode fully manifests. The plant as well is indicated in diminishing tics and muscle spasms from fright, anger and other vicissitudes of life.
Passionflower tends to be one of the most reliable herbs in curbing cravings and anxiety in substance withdraw. Make Passionflower a primary herb if quitting Cannabis, opiates, alcohol or nicotine habits. It is calming to the nerves and soothing to the spirit in these times when the body is crying out to be re-intoxicated. It is of particular use in the tremors of alcohol withdraw.
The plant fits individuals with excessive cardiac force that have a strong, bounding pulse, hypertension and noticeable surface vasodilatation – blood movement – around the upper chest and neck. Use Passionflower to lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate. It is one of the best remedies in aborting tachycardia. The plant is underrated in its application to bronchial complaints when there is an irritative, spastic cough that is difficult to stop. The spasmolytic effect of Passionflower is serviceable in bronchial constriction and shortness of breath when nervousness is exasperating the episode. The plant is calming to griping and spasmodic diarrhea from food reactions or the catch all “irritable bowel syndrome”.
Indications
Anxiety/tension/muscle spasm
Insomnia
Mild seizure activity/tics
Substance withdraw
Tachycardia with hypertension and forceful pulse
Spasmodic cough/bronchial constriction
Spasmodic diarrhea
Collection
The native varieties, Passiflora mexicana and P. foetida, are summer bloomers and are collected from late summer to early fall when in full flower. Ideally, prune the whole vine with leaf, flowers and immature fruits. Also, collect the cultivated varieties in bloom. Passionflowers that are medicinally potent stink when their foliage is crushed. Let their rank smell be an indicator to different variety’s potency.
Preparations and Dosage
FPT/DPT (50% alc): 60-90 drops 3-4 times daily or 1 teaspoon in acute situations
FE: 30-60 drops 3 times daily
Herb infusion: 4-8 ounces 3 times daily
Cautions
Do not use Passionflower during pregnancy due to a weak contractile inhibition on uterine smooth muscle. Although the plant has use in discontinuing anti-anxiety or sedative pharmaceuticals, full doses of both simultaneously will prove synergistic and will leave the recipient overly sedated.
Other uses
Passiflora edulis is primarily cultivated in warmer parts of the world for its edible fruits. As a medicine, the plant is inferior. Inversely the other varieties, principally the southwestern natives, will have semi-edible fruits with medicinal/sedative overtones.