Synonyms: Apricot Vine, Grenadille, Maypop, Maypop Passion Flower, Passiflora, Passion Vine, Rose-Colored Passion Flower, White Passion Flower, Wild Passion Flower
Family: Passifloraceae
Genus species: Passiflora incarnata
Type: Perennial herbaceous climber
Part Used: Flowering and fruiting tops
Homeopathy: Tincture of fresh or dried leaves gathered in May
Location: Central America, North America, South America, subtropical Asia
Actions: Analgesic, anodyne, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, anxiolytic, aphrodisiac, calmative, CNS depressant, decreases the desire for alcohol, hallucinogenic, hypnotic, monoamine oxidase inhibitor, motor depressant, nervine, perfume, sedative, uterine stimulant (alkaloids; harman and harmaline)
Indications: Alcoholism, anxiety, burns, cardiac erethism of the healthy adult, cough, diarrhea, epilepsy, fever, gastrointestinal disorders of a nervous origin, generalized seizures, headache, hemorrhoids, hypertension, hysteria, insomnia, nervous stress, nervous tachycardia, nervous tension, neuralgia, neurasthenia, neurovegetative dystonia, painful menstruation, restlessness, shingles, spasmodic asthma, stress
Homeopathic Indications: Asthma, burns, cholera infantum, convulsion, delirium tremens, epilepsy, erysipelas, exophthalmos, insomnia, levitation, mania, pertussis, puerperal eclampsia, sciatica, spasmodic conditions, teething, tetanus, tetanus neonatorum
Chemicals & Nutrients: Bioflavonoids
Preparation & Dosages:
Dried Herb: 0.25-1 g or by in fusion (3x/day)
Infusion, Fresh Dried Herb: 2-6 ounces up to 4x/day
Liquid Extract: 1:1 in 25 % alcohol, dose 0.5-1 ml (3x/day)
Liquid Extract: 1:1 in 45% alcohol, dose 30-60 drops up to 4x/day
Tea: 4-8 g, take in divided doses, 2-3x/day
Tincture, Dried Herb: 1:5 in 50% alcohol, dose; 0.5-1.5 teaspoons up to 4x/day
Tincture, Fresh Herb: 1:2 in 50% alcohol, dose; 0.5-1.5 teaspoons up to 4x/day
Tincture: 1:8 in 45 % alcohol, dose 0.5-2 ml (3x/day)
Contraindications: Lactation, pregnancy.
Drug Interactions: Passionflower may potentiate MAOI therapy. Due to the antihypertensive (hypotensive) action of this herb the following interactions are possible: when taken with anesthetics an increased hypotensive effect; potentiation of antihypertensives; when taken with diuretics difficulty with diuresis and hypertension may result; antagonism of sympathomimetics.
Side Effects: (Possible adverse effects and/or overdose effects) Convulsions, hypothermia, hallucinations, slight muscle paralysis, slowed breathing.
Safety: GRAS.