Passionflower

Other names : Apricot Vine, Corona de Cristo, Fleischfarbige, Fleur de la Passion, Fleur de Passiflore, Flor de Passion, Grenadille, Madre Selva, Maracuja, Maypop, Maypop Passion Flower, Pasiflora, Passiflora, Passiflora incarnata, Passiflorae Herba, Passiflore, Passiflore Aubépine, Passiflore Officinale, Passiflore Purpurine, Passiflore Rouge, Passiflorina, Passion Vine, Passionaria, Passionblume, Passionflower Herb, Passionsblumenkraut, Purple Passion Flower, Water Lemon, Wild Passion Flower.
See also : Maracuja Oil

Special Precautions of Passion flower

• Passionflower is LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth in amounts normally found in food. It is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken short-term (less than two months) as medicine or tea. It is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in large amounts.
• Passionflower can cause some side effects such as dizziness, confusion, irregular muscle action and coordination, altered consciousness, and inflamed blood vessels. There has also been a report of nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, a rapid heart rate, and abnormal heart rhythm in one person who took it.
• There isn’t enough information to rate the safety of passionflower when applied to the skin.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Don’t take passionflower if you are pregnant. It is UNSAFE. There are some chemicals in passionflower that might cause the uterus to contract.
• Not enough is known about the safety of taking passionflower during breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and don’t use it.
• Surgery: Passionflower can affect the central nervous system. It might increase the effects of anesthesia and other medications on the brain during and after surgery. Stop taking passionflower at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
• Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with PASSIONFLOWER

The benefits of Passion flower are

The most common medicinal uses are as a remedy for anxiety, insomnia, pain relief, and anti-spasmodic (muscle relaxing).

• Anxiety : Traditionally, passion flower has been used for its sedative effect. Due to this effect it has been used as a herbal sleep aid and is considered a good herb to relieve anxiety.
• Relieving symptoms related to narcotic drug withdrawal, when used in combination with a medication called clonidine. This combination seems to be effective in reducing symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, sleep problems (insomnia), and agitation. However, passionflower plus clonidine is no better than clonidine alone for physical symptoms such as tremor and nausea.
• Relieving symptoms of a psychiatric disorder known as “adjustment disorder with anxious mood” when used in a multi-ingredient product (Euphytose, EUP). Other herbs in the product are crataegus, ballota, and valerian, which have mild sedative effects, and cola and paullinia, which have stimulant effects. It’s not clear, though, which ingredient or ingredients in the mix are responsible for decreasing anxiety.
• Historically, it was also used to treat gastrointestinal spasms.
• Passion flower has a hypotensive effect (lowers blood pressure) and also relieves tachycardia (fast heart rate.)
• The anti-spasmodic effect makes this herb useful in treating the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease (PD), seizures, and hysteria.
• This herb has also been used to treat nerve pain and shingles.
• Asthma, especially with a high level of spasmodic activity, responds well to passion flower use.
• It can be combined with valerian, hops, and Jamaican dogwood for an effective herbal insomnia treatment.
• Passion flower may also have a mild aphrodisiac effect.
• Research is being done on the effect of passion flower as a treatment in opiate withdrawal.
• Passion flower has been used to treat some of the symptoms accociated with ADHD/ADD.
• Chrysin, a flavonoid extracted from passion flower, is thought to prevent the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. As a result of this blocking action, it helps to raise free testosterone levels naturally. And when combined with an extract of black pepper called bioperine, Chrysin may help reduce estrogen levels and increase free testosterone levels in as little as one month.Chrysin is one of the best nutrients to help you relax and calm down. In fact, many European health practitioners recommend it as a safe, effective treatment for mild to moderate anxiety – including performance anxiety.