Passionflower(Passiflora incarnata)
Other Names:
Maypop, purple passionflower, wild passion flower, wild passion vine, wild apricot, apricot vine
Range:
Family:
Passifloraceae - Passionflower Family
Growth Type:
A fast growing perennial vine.
Height:
Can grow 5 - 8 feet tall
Leaves:
Measuring 2-1/2 in to 6", the 3-5 lobed palmate leaves grow alternately along the stem. The leaves have two glands at the base of the petiole.
Stem/Trunk:
The stems can be glabrous (smooth) or pubescent (hairy), climbing or trailing.
Root:
Taproot
Flower Season:
Mid-summer
Flower Appearance:
have five bluish-white petals. They exhibit a white and purple corona, a structure of fine appendages between the petals and stamens. The large flower is typically arranged in a ring above the petals and sepals.
Seed/Fruit:
The edible, fleshy, fruit, also referred to as a maypop, is an oval yellowish berry about the size of a hen egg. The fruit is greenand becomes yellow-green to yellow-orange as it ripens. The pulp of the fruit is gelatinous and white, but it becomes a dull yellow when ripe. The seeds are black and approximately 5 mm in size.
Miscellaneous characteristics:
N/A
Habitat:
Passiflora grows in thickets, disturbed areas, near riverbanks, and near unmowed pastures, roadsides, and railroads. Requiring full sunlight to thrive, the plant will not be fouhd in shadow, or under the forest canopy.
Parts Used:
Leaves, young shoots, fruit, roots
Culinary Uses:
Ethnobotanic: Native American tribes use purple passionflower for food, drink, and medicinal purposes. Captain Smith, in 1612, reported that Native Americans in Virginia planted the vines for the fruits. The fruits were eaten either raw or boiled to make syrup. A beverage was made from the fruits by crushing and straining the juice. Sometimes the juice was thickened by mixing it with flour or cornmeal. The young shoots and leaves were eaten, cooked with other greens.
The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.
Energetics
Taste: bitter
Thermal: Cooling
Humidity: Drying
Medicinal Uses:
Treatment of ADHD, Anxiety, Spasmodic Asthma, Chorea, Congestive Heart Failure (when used with Cratageous spp., Dysmenorrhea, Epilepsy, Inflammation, Insomnia, Nervous Dyspepsia, Nervous Tachycardia, Hypertension, Neurasthenia, Neuralgia, Opioid Withdrawls, Pain, Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), Huntington's.
Historically The roots were used in an infusion to treat boils, and to “draw out inflammation” of wounds from briers or locusts. Babies were given a tea made from the roots to aid in weaning. The roots were beaten with warm water and used as eardrops to treat earaches. Root infusions were used to treat liver problems. Soaking the crushed roots in drinking water made a “blood tonic.” The plant was also used as a sedative to treat nervous conditions and hysteria. Modern herbalism uses P. incarnata as an antispasmodic and muscle relaxant for neurogenic pain, agitation, insomnia; arterial sedative, especially in EHT in the strong, sthenic middle-aged patient. Internally as a mild sedative for nervous restlessness, insomnia and anxiety. Treatment of gastrointestinal disorders of nervous origin. Treatment of Restless Leg Syndrome. Uses described in traditional medicine As an anodyne, antispasmodic and mild stimulant.
Cautions According To WebMD
Possible Side Effects:
Taken in larger doses, can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion.
Possible Interactions:
May interact with sedative drugs by increasing their effect.
Medicinal Actions:
Analgesic,
Anodyne,
Antihypertensive,
Antispasmodic,
Nervine,
Relaxant,
Sedative,
Spasmolytic,
Stimulant
Herbal Preparations For Plant
00 Capsules
Part Used: Leaves
Plant State: Dried
Capsules made from dried powdered leaves are used in the treatment of ADHD, Anxiety, Spasmodic Asthma, Chorea, Congestive Heart Failure (when used with Crataegus spp., Dysmenorrhea, Epilepsy, Inflammation, Insomnia, Nervous Dyspepsia, Nervous Tachycardia, Hypertension, Neurasthenia, Neuralgia, Opioid Withdrawls, Pain, Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), Huntington's.
Dosage: 2 capsules as needed up to three times daily.
Infusion
Part Used: Whole plant
Plant State: Dried recent
Place 2 ounces of fresh chopped, or 1 ounce of recently dried, plant material into a quart mason jar, and fill the jar with almost boiling water. Cover the jar, place it in a sunny location, and let it sit for 8 to 10 hours. If refrigerated, the infusion will last a couple of days.
Dosage: 2-6 oz up to 4 times daily
Tincture
Part Used: Whole plant
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 60%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:2
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.
Fill the jar to the neck with chopped fresh plant material, then pour in 600 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 150 ml water. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 2.5 - 7 ml up to 4 times daily
Tincture
Part Used: Hole plan t
Plant State: Dried
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:5
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.
Place 150 grams of dried plant material into a quart mason jar. Now pour in 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml water. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 2.5 - 7 ml up to 4 times daily