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Passion Flower
  Passionflower
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The very showy flower of Passiflora incarnata, also called the Maypop, has been used in herbal remedies for years. Native to the United States and cultivated mostly in Florida, it is the dried flowers and fruiting parts used. Among many constituents, passion flower contains alkaloids (mainly harman and associated compounds), flavonoids, glycosides, sugars and sterols. Passion flower has been reported to have analgesic and sedative properties. Harman, as well as some of the flavonoids have been reported as tranquilizing agents. These activities, although weak, have made passion flower a common ingredient in sedative, relaxing, and sleep aid products. These may be in the form of capsules, tinctures, or teas. Passion flower is often added to valerian root extracts, as these botanicals compliment one another as sedatives and sleep aids. Plant powders, extracts, and standardized extracts are all available from passion flower. The usefulness of the extraction and standardization processes is not completely known.





Passion Flower can help with the following:
Mental  Anxiety
 Treatment with passionflower extract over a one month period compared favorably to oxazepam (Serax - an antianxiety benzodiazepine drug) in a randomized, double-blind study of 36 outpatients diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. Passionflower extract demonstrated a slower onset of action and less impairment of job performance than did oxazepam. [J Clin Pharm Ther 2001;26(5): pp.363-7]


KEY
Likely to help


GLOSSARY

AIDS
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. An immune system deficiency disorder that suddenly alters the body's ability to defend itself. The AIDS virus invades the T4 helper/inducer lymphocytes and multiplies, causing a breakdown in the body's immune system, eventually leading to overwhelming infection and/or cancer, with ultimate death.

Analgesic
Agent which relieves pain without causing loss of consciousness.

Anxiety
Apprehension of danger, or dread, accompanied by nervous restlessness, tension, increased heart rate, and shortness of breath unrelated to a clearly identifiable stimulus.

Bioflavonoid (Bioflavonoids, Flavonoid, Flavonoids)
Vitamin P. Any of a group of colored flavones (crystalline compounds) found next to the peel in many fruits. Essential for the stability and absorption of ascorbic acid.

Herbs (Herb, Herbal)
Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with one teaspoon herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Tinctures may be used singly or in combination as noted. The high doses of single herbs suggested may be best taken as dried extracts (in capsules), although tinctures (60 drops four times per day) and teas (4 to 6 cups per day) may also be used.

Sedative
Calming, quieting; drug that quiets nervous excitement.

Sterols (Sterol)
A large subgroup of steroids.




Last updated: Jun 28, 2008


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