Passion flower

Passion flower or Passiflora is a genus of about 500 species comes under the class Angiospermae (flowering plants). Passion flower is from the family Passifloraceae. Passiflora is the genus name of the passion flower. These plants are mostly vines, some are shrubs, and a few of them are herbs. Passion flower is also known as maypop. It is a woody vine with attractive and bright colored flowers. The plant produces small berry-like fruit called granadilla or water lemon. The aerial parts of the plant are collected during the fruiting season and then dried for the future processing. In passion flower the axillary bud is modified into the tendril. The family Passifloraceae is found worldwide, except Europe and Antarctica. Passion flower is a native perennial vine of the southeastern United States. Passion flower can be found growing in sandy thickets and open fields, road slides, fence rows and waste places. Passion flower is edible and medicinal.

The Passion Flower family consists mostly of climbing herbs with alternate leaves and tendrils growing from the leaf axils. Several species of the family are cultivated for their fruit in the tropics, others in warm parts of the world for their showy flowers. The family takes its common name from myths and stories that have been told about its complicated and intricate blossoms, which are said to include many symbols of the crucifixion of Christ. The Christian symbolism of their flowers probably began with the conquistadors who reportedly saw the symbolism as divine inspiration for their missionary work. In Mexico Passion Flower is called the Flower of the Five Wounds.

Passion flower can be cultivated by root or seed. It requires well-drained soil, sandy slightly acid soil in full sun. Passion flower has many beautiful large and aromatic flowers; it grows very quickly and produces edible fruit. The flowers bloom from June to August. The Passion fruit is yellow-green when it is ripe and has the size of a hen's egg. The yellow pulp is sweet and edible. The passion flowers have a unique flower structure. The size and structure of flowers of different species of passion flower vary. Corona is well seen in passion flower. Corona is an additional whorl made up of lobes, scales of hair, free or united. The mode of pollination is zoophily in which animals are the pollinating agents and but some are self pollinating. The passion flower species are used as food by the larva and moth.

Passion Flower got its name from center of the flower blossom. It resembles the Crown of Thorns given on Jesus of Nazareth. Passion Flower, the symbol of the crucifixion during the early seventeenth century, was professed to be seen by the early Jesuit priests and other explorers from Spain and Italy and interpreted this as a sign of divine assurance for the success of their efforts to convert the natives to Catholicism.

Uses of Passion Flower:

1.Passion Flower is used in herbalism as a sedative, hypnotic, anti-spasmodic, and analgesic. It has been used in the past specifically for neuralgia, generalized seizures, hysteria, tachycardia, headaches, asthma, insomnia, earaches, dysmenorrheal and inflammations. Some herbalists use Passion Flower for treating the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Passion Flower often is used in combination with other herbs such as valerian, chamomile, and hops for promoting relaxation, rest, and sleep. Passion Flower and chamomile combinations have been used for anxiety, muscle tension, insomnia, and nervous headaches.

2.Passion Flower in a tea formulation to help women who have been unsuccessful in conceiving a child. Often women become very anxious when they are unsuccessful in conceiving easily. Passion Flower can prove helpful in preparing a woman for pregnancy.

3.In Italy, Passion Flower has been used to treat hyperactive children.

4.Passion Flower can best be used in nervous problems with children such as muscle twitching and irritability and is also helpful with problems of concentration in school children.

5.Passion Flower is used for increasing the rate of respiration and produces a temporary reduction of blood pressure. It helps to vitalize the sympathetic nervous system in weakened conditions improving circulation and nutrition of the nerve centers.

6.In elderly people, Passion Flower is good for sciatica and general nerve debility.

7.Passion Flower can be used to calm nervous that get on edge during the periods of hormonal adjustment common to most women.

8.Passion Flower is quieting and soothing to the nervous system and yet there are no side effects of depression or disorientation.

9.Passion Flower is rich in flavonoids. It is effective in combinations to overcome alcohol abuse without the accompanying, narcotic hangover.

10.Passion Flower can be helpful for people who do not want to continue dependence on synthetic sleeping pills and tranquilizers.

11.It has been noted that Passion Flower kills that bacteria that is said to causes eye irritations. A claim is made that in some cases it surpasses in results to commercial products that are given for inflamed eyes and weakness of vision.

12.Passion Flower is available in a number of homeopathic remedies.

Passion Flower has been found to possess analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, to aid, without side effects, sleeplessness caused by brain inflammations.