- Region
- North America
- Origin
- South-eastern United States; related species in Central and South America. Passiflora incarnata
North America · Herb · № 154
Passiflora incarnata
Herb · North America
Passionflower
Passiflora incarnata
Used for anxiety and sleep problems. NCCIH notes some indications of an effect on anxiety but limited evidence.
Safety notes
May cause drowsiness and dizziness; do not combine with alcohol or sleeping pills and do not drive if drowsy. Avoid in pregnancy.
Cautions by tradition (2)
- Natural skin and hair care: Can cause drowsiness; do not combine with sleeping pills or alcohol. The tincture contains alcohol: not for children or during pregnancy.
- Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine: Not the root in pregnancy; not in the ear with a burst eardrum.
Preparation
The aerial parts as tea, tincture or extracts. No dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
The Cherokee and other south-eastern peoples ate the fruits (maypop) and used the root medicinally. Spanish missionaries saw symbols of Christ's Passion in the flower, hence the name.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Pain-relieving, antispasmodic, bitter, cooling, lowers blood pressure, calming, heart tonic, vasodilating.
Preparation and amount
1–2 tablets in the evening for insomnia; tincture (with valerian and hops) 50 drops 3 times a day for insomnia, tension and stress-related high blood pressure; up to 4 ml 3 times a day for trembling, dizziness, shingles pain and toothache; capsules or ½ tsp powder for anxiety; tea for menstrual pain and tension headache; low doses in pregnancy.
Natural skin and hair care
Attributed effects
Traditionally used for restlessness and sleep problems; the European Medicines Agency recognises its traditional use for mild stress and to help sleep.
Preparation and amount
Internal: dried leaf in a sleep tea and a nerve tincture (see the recipes).
Caution: Can cause drowsiness; do not combine with sleeping pills or alcohol. The tincture contains alcohol: not for children or during pregnancy.
Cherokee (Tsalagi) medicine
Attributed effects
The pounded root draws the inflammation out of thorn wounds, an infusion for boils, for the liver, as ear drops for earache and to help wean babies. From the fruits (maypops) the Cherokee made a drink; young shoots were eaten as a green.
Preparation and amount
Eat the ripe fruits; a tea or poultice of the root.
Caution: Not the root in pregnancy; not in the ear with a burst eardrum.
Folklore and herbal magic
Symbolic meanings from folk use and modern herbal magic. These are handed-down associations, not effects.
Calms emotions, brings peace to the home, attracts friends, good night's sleep.
Herbal magic and rituals
Attributed effects
In herbal magic associated with calm, peace in the home and friendship.
Preparation and amount
Spanish missionaries in South America saw the Passion of Christ in the flower: the filaments as the crown of thorns, the stigmas as nails and the ten petals as the faithful apostles. Indigenous peoples in North America ate the fruits and used the plant as a remedy.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)TinctureCompress, poultice and pastePowder and kitchen
- Recipes
- Sleep teaNerve tincture