What Is Passion Flower?

Passion flower is a medicinal herb that is native to the USA, Mexico, and Central and South America. It has been used since prehistoric times, and is safe for both children and adults. Passionflower is often used in herbal medicine to assist with sleep and anxiety.

Somewhat confusingly, the name colloquial name ‘passion flower’ refers to the entire plant, and not just the flowers.

How to Use Passion Flower (Common Uses)

Taken internally as a tea, powder, capsules, or extract. Passion flower works well both on its own and when combined with other herbs.

Medicinal Uses and Benefits of Passion Flower

Passion flower is an herbal remedy used for reducing anxiety and promoting sleep. Passion flower is often the herb of choice for anxiety that is coupled with circular thinking and difficulting putting the mind to rest.

As a relaxing herb, passion flower can help reduce muscle spasms. It has a depressant effect on the central nervous system (CNS).

Passion flower helps to slow the breakdown of serotonin and norepinephrine, and is often combined with other herbs that act on the brain, such as lemon balm and skullcap.

Passion flower is most often used for nervous tension, restlessness, muscle spasms, anxiety, headaches, irregular sleep patterns, irritability, neuralgia.

Active Constituents in Passion Flower

Harman, harmoline, vitexin, saponarin, luteolin, rutin, kaempferol, quercetin, fatty acids, coumarins, cyanogenic glycosides, volatile oil, chrysin, maltol.

Notable Facts About Passion Flower

Passion flower is known for its striking flowers. Historically, Spanish missionaries saw these flowers as physical representations of the crucifixion of Christ. The stigmas represented the nails, the coronal filaments were the crown of thorns, the five stamens were the wounds, and the 10 sepals were representative of the 10 disciples (Judas and Peter were excluded).

Passion flower is considered to be energetically cooling.

It has been used as a magical charm to attract friendships and peace, and the leaves have been used to bring harmony and reduce tensions in the home.