Guest guest Posted June 13, 2005 Report Share Posted June 13, 2005 Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) Other Names: Maypops, Apricot-vine, Purple Passion-flower, Passion Vine and Passionsblume. Passionflower is the dried aboveground parts of a member of the largely tropical American passionflower family. It is found in the eastern part of North America from Virginia and Kentucky, to southern Illinois and south-east Kansas, south to Florida and Texas. It is found growing in sandy thickets and open fields, roadsides, fence rows and waste places. During a pleasant early summer drive beside the scenic Hiawasee River in eastern Tennessee, I suddenly asked my husband to stop the car and back just a short way. I had spotted an unusual flower on the opposite side of the road. From research, I recognized this herb as passionflower. Although it is not considered endangered at the time of this writing, I cannot say that I have ever noticed such a beautiful native flower growing in the wild until that moment. It has intricate, beautiful large and aromatic flowers which are purple and white. These sweet-scented flowers are from 2 to 3 inches across, blooming from June to August. It has large, bright green, three lobed serrated ( notched or irregular) leaves. The passion fruit, when ripe is yellow-green and oval shaped and like the size of a small hen’s egg. The yellow pulp is quite sweet and edible. Gather the edible fresh, sweet juicy fruit when it is soft and light yellow-green. The fruit is high in niacin and along with the flowers, can be eaten raw or cooked in jellies and jams. The young leaves can be used as a cooked vegetable or eaten raw in salads. Passionflower is easily cultivated through root division or quicker by seed. The herb transplants from the wild quite well, provided a sufficient amount of the root and surrounding soil is dug. It requires a well-drained soil, sandy and slightly acid in the full sun. A trellis should be provided, as it is a tendril climbing vine. In ancient folklore, the name Passionflower refers to the passion of the Christ: the 3 stamens represent his wounds, and the 12 petals represent the apostles. It proves specially useful in the insomnia of infants and old people. It gives sleep to those who are laboring under the effects of mental worry or from mental overwork.” In European herbal medicine. passionflower products are used for nervous tension, especially in sleep disturbances or anxiety arising from restlessness. Recent research on passionflower indicated that several chemical components act together to cause these effects. The dried herb is generally available in health food stores, and is made into a tea, tincture or fluid extract. There is scientific evidence of the medicinal constituent of this herb. Recent studies have pointed to the flavonoids in passionflower as the primary parts responsible for its relaxing and antianxiety effects. Passionflower is used as an alternative medicine in the treatment of insomnia, nervous tension, irritability, irritable bowel syndrome and premenstrual tension. Formerly approved as an over-the-counter sedative and sleep aid, it was not (unfortunately) recognized as effective by the US Food and Drug Administration in a 1978 review of nighttime sleep aids. As with all medicinal herbs, consult a trained herbalist or alternative doctor before treating any symptoms regarding serious anxiety and nervous tension. But to calm and mellow after a hard day try this medicinal recipe: To 1 tsp. dried herb, add 1 cup boiling water and steep for at least 10 minutes. Drink at bedtime for restlessness. This tea is quite flavorful and aromatic. Enjoy and sleep soundly. Suzi What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered. http://suziesgoats.wholefoodfarmacy.com/__________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 5, 2007 Report Share Posted March 5, 2007 I have never tried them Angie. I grow them for beauty. Gayla Always Enough RanchAcampo, Californiahttp://bouncinghoofs.com/alwaysenough.htmlBill Barnhill is our Inspiration! Go Bill!!!aeranch@... Re: Passion flower I am the only person in the world that think that the leaf taste horrible? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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