Harmonic Arts Passionflower 50g The Organic Grocer

Name: Passion Flower
Biological Name: Passiflora incarnata
Other Names: Maypop

Parts Used: Leaves and whole plant
Active Compounds:
* Alkaloids: harmine, harman, harmol, harmaline, harmalol, and passaflorine.
* Flavonoids: apigenin and various glycosides, homoorientin, isovitexin, kaempferol, luteolin, orientin, quercitin, rutin, saponaretin, saponarin and vitexen.

The flavonoids in passion flower are the primary constituents responsible for its relaxing and anti-anxiety effects. European pharmacopoeias typically recommend passion flower products containing no less than 0.8% total flavonoids. The European literature involving passion flower recommends it primarily for anti-anxiety treatment; in this context, it is often combined with valerian, lemon balm, and other herbs with sedative properties.

The plant is native to North, Central, and South America. While primarily tropical, some of its 400 species can grow in colder climates. The name passion flower dates back to the seventeenth century. The mystery of the beautiful blossom out of the unassuming bud was compared to the Passion of Christ. The leaves, stems, and flowers are used for medicinal purposes.

Dosage:
Infusion: Pour a cup of boiling water onto 1 teaspoonful of the dried herb and let infuse for 15 minutes. Drink a cup in the evening for sleeplessness, and a cup twice a day for the easing of other conditions.

Tincture: take 1-4 ml of the tincture and use the same way as the infusion. The recommended intake of the dried herb is 4-8 grams three times per day. Many European products combine passion flower with other sedative herbs to treat mild to moderate anxiety.

Safety:
Used in the amounts listed above, passion flower is generally safe and has not been found to negatively interact with other sedative drugs. However, some experts suggest not using passion flower with MAO-inhibiting antidepressant drugs. Passion flower has not been proven to be safe during pregnancy and lactation.

No other information available. Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician before starting on any herb.