Passion Flower 4:1

History:

There are about four hundred known Passiflora species, and most are natives of the Americas, where they mainly inhabit its tropical portions. Passiflora is native to North, Central and South America and grows along hedgerows, on the edges of woods, in thickets and over open ground. Passiflora incarnata (Purple Passion Flower) and Passiflora caerulea (Blue Passion Flower) are often used interchangeably because of their shared antispasmodic, anxiolytic and sedative qualities.  In North America, the magnificent Passion Flower is the State Flower of Tennessee, which grows on a perennial woody vine with a trailing stem that can climb to the tops of many trees seeking the sun, often covering spans up to thirty feet in length.  The North American Purple Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata) is one of the hardiest species of the Passion Flower genus and is even considered a common wildflower in some southern areas of the United States.  It bears white to pale lavender, highly ornamental flowers of about two inches across with edible berries (called Maypops in the South). The fruits ripen only in warm, sunny climates, and the vine thrives in well-drained, sandy (slightly acid) soil in sun. In South America, the exquisite Blue (or wild) Passion Flower (Passiflora caerulea) also grows on a fast-growing woody vine that generally reaches about thirty feet, but may climb to eighty feet in length when supporting trees are available. It, too, bears edible fruits, prefers loose, light, sandy soils and thrives in moist, well-drained soil in full sun. The Blue Passion Flower is native to South America but is cultivated world wide; it is evergreen in tropical climates but deciduous where winters are cool. In the sixteenth century, early Spanish explorers were astounded by the beauty of the exotic climbing vine that resembled elements of the Passion and Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and named it Passion Flower in honor of the agonies of Christ. Its botanical generic and specific, Passiflora, is derived from the Latin, flos passionis, which was bestowed on the flower because of its fancied resemblance to the Crucifixion "Crown of Thorns." The Spanish explorers soon found Passion Flower to be a source of medicine for the Native Americans. The Houma tribe added it to drinking water as a tonic, and in the Yucatan, it was a remedy for insomnia, hysteria and convulsions in children. Other tribes used it in poultices to heal bruises, and the early Algonquians brewed Passion Flower in a tea to soothe their nerves. In 1783, a visiting European doctor described its use as a remedy for epilepsy, and other early physicians prescribed the fruit juice as a wash for sore and tired eyes. The plant was largely ignored in conventional North American medicine until the late 1800s, when it became a popular nineteenth-century remedy for insomnia. Passion Flower finally received official recognition in the United States National Formulary from 1916 to 1936; and the aerial parts of the plant are used in herbal medicine. Passion Flower may be a useful bridge between traditional herbal medicine and the treatment of modern ills, especially in cases of anxious states, depression and patients trying to wean themselves from synthetic sleeping pills and tranquilizers. Despite the dearth of research into Passion Flower in the United States, the herb is frequently prescribed in Europe to calm the nerves and ease tension, restlessness, irritability and mild insomnia. However, because of its increased popularity and use in the United States, clinical trials will hopefully be conducted to determine why the plant appears to produce effective results. Aside from its therapeutic value, the fruits are pulped for jams and desserts, and because they create a popping sound when mashed, the plant received one of its common names, "Maypop."  Some of the constituents in Passion Flower include beta-carboline harmala alkaloids, which reputedly have MAO inhibitors with antidepressant properties (harmaline, harmalol, harmol, harmine), flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, luteolin, kaempferol, apigenin), vitexin, isovitexin, coumarins (e.g. scopoletin and umbelliferone), glycosides [orientin, homorientin, lucenin], carbohydrates, benzopyrones, fatty acids, gamma-pyrone derivatives (maltol, ethylmaltol), passicol, gums, amino acids (rich in α-alanine) and calcium. The genus is also said to be rich in formic, butyric, linoleic, linolenic, malic, myristic, oleic and palmitic acids. 

Passion Flower is considered a very gentle (but effective) herbal sedative that may support a depressant effect on the central nervous system. The alkaloids and flavonoids are believed to be effective and work as a plant-based, non-addictive sedative, which promotes restful, sound sleep, particularly in cases of nervous insomnia. Passiflora incarnata received official approval of the German Commission E in 1985 for insomnia and as an anxiolytic. The effects of Passion Flower tend to be cumulative and may take time to build for full efficacy. It is reputed to be one of nature's best natural tranquilizers and has been used for centuries as a reliable remedy for nervous, menopausal and premenstrual tension, irritability, fatigue and tension headaches. The exact mechanism of action is unknown. Activation of GABA receptors by maltol and gamma-pyrone derivatives may mediate Passionflower's anxiolytic and sedative properties. It is said to gently support the body's own restorative resources to shift moods, alter perception and aid concentration, and it is said that the alkaloids may act in a similar way as MAO inhibitors, which may be of some help in cases of depression. In Italy, Passion Flower is used to treat hyperactive children.

Its relaxing qualities appear to extend as a support for relaxing spasms and other manifestations of extreme anxiety. As a muscle relaxer, Passion Flower works with the body's own healing properties to relieve muscle tension, which may be quite beneficial for restless leg syndrome, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Considered a fine herbal pain reliever, Passion Flower works as a botanical anodyne, which may facilitate the body's efforts to alleviate pain; and as such, is often used as a natural support to relieve headache and nerve pain, the pain of shingles and dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation).

Passion Flower may support the body's natural resources to relieve hypertension and lower blood pressure. Some tests claim that it may achieve this by relaxing the walls of the arteries, which may be potentially be useful as a support to increase circulation and maintain good heart health.

In laboratory tests, Passion Flower was able to inhibit the growth of certain kinds of thyroid malignancy, and further research may, hopefully, bring positive results in this area.

There are reports that Passion Flower may inhibit chemical reactions that cause nausea and vomiting as a result of withdrawal from cocaine, heroine or opiate painkillers, and this may prove useful as a support for those patients trying to withdraw from such substances. A bitter principle in Passion Flower is thought to be beneficial for functional digestive problems as well. The German Commission E also approved Passiflora incarnata in 1985 for a nervous stomach.

Passion Flower may support a diminished sex drive. The herb is a source of an antioxidant chemical known as chrysin, which reputedly works with the body in its efforts to conserve testosterone. It does not cause the body to produce more of the hormone, but by conserving it, the action may have a direct effect of supporting increased testosterone levels, which may, thus, boost sex drive.

Recommended Dosage:
Take two (2) capsules, two (2) to three (3) times each day with water at mealtimes.

Contraindications:
Pregnant and nursing women should not use Passion Flower Herbal Supplement. Since it may cause sleepiness, it should not be used before driving or operating machinery. Children should never be given this herb in any form, and older adults and older children (twelve) should take low dosages (preferably in consultation with a physician). Do not use Passion Flower if you take MAO inhibitors, and it should not be taken with other prescription sedatives or sedative herbs or alcohol, as it increases their sedative effects. Passion Flower may have additive anticoagulant effect.

Capsule Information:
Our Passion Flower 4:1 supplements are encapsulated in 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose, Certified Kosher, size "00" Capsules.(click here for size comparison) Each capsule contains approximately 600 mgs."

Special Note:
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Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Herbal Extracts Plus is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.