Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata)
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Passion Flower contains the active alkaloid called Passiflorine, which shares similar psychoactive properties and sedating effects to a different well-known plant alkaloid. The leaves and flowers of this herb offer a nontoxic, non-addictive sedative with no known side effects, providing a calming effect on the central nervous system. It's also analgesic, antispasmodic, and good for digestion.
Elsewhere in the world, Passion Flower has been used effectively for all kinds of nervousness disorders including insomnia, anxiety, depression, nervous tension, and many other medicinal effects. It has been shown to be so effective that the German Commission E has approved it for use in the treatment of insomnia and nervousness, just like their approval of Kava Kava for the same purpose (although Kava is mostly used for its pleasurable effects). In Italy it has been used to treat hyperactive children, while in Yucatan it is used for insomnia, hysteria and convulsions in children. This herb is one that non-Western doctors recommend to patients who want to wean themselves from synthetic sleeping pills and tranquilizers. In studies conducted since the 1930's, its mode of action has been found to be different than that of most sedative drugs (sleeping pills), thus making it a non-addictive herb to promote relaxation. It is quieting and soothing to the nervous system. It does not bring depression or disorientation, making it a good herb for nervousness such as unrest, agitation and exhaustion.
Passiflora incarnata has a perennial root, and the herbaceous shoots bear three-lobed, finely-serrated leaves and flesh-colored or yellowish, sweet-scented flowers, tinged with purple. The ripe, orange-colored, ovoid, many-seeded berry is about the size of a small apple. The yellow pulp is sweet and edible. The dried herb is EXTREMELY woody, but the active components occur equally in all parts of the plant, so any preparation can use the entire plant quite effectively. Please note that this is a very "woody" herb.
The leaves and stems are medicinal and categorized as a hypnotic, a narcotic, a sedative, and as a vasodilator, much like Wild Dagga is reknown for. This makes Passionflower a prime candidate as a "potentiator", which is an herb that can be used, like Wild Dagga, for increasing the effects of other herbs.
Passionflower is used as an alternative medicine in the treatment of insomnia, nervous tension, irritability, neuralgia, irritable bowel syndrome, as well as premenstrual tension. Simple tea infusions of this remarkable plant depresses the motor nerves of the spinal cord, making it very valuable in the treatment of back pain, and is a less expensive alternative, non-addicting alternative to Kava Kava, which can also be found at Kona Kava Farm. Kava is famous not only for its euphoric effects, but for its amazing ability to help back pain sufferers.
The infusion also slightly reduces blood pressure and mildly increases respiratory rate. So, in short, Passionflower contains alkaloids and flavonoids that are an effective non-addictive sedative that does not cause drowsiness, and it makes a GREAT tea no matter the time of day. |
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