How to Harvest and Prepare Passionflower

Traditional medicinal use of purple passionflower and vine has been to treat nervous disorders and insomnia, but more recent studies of the herb indicate it also relieves muscle spasms and lowers blood pressure. Tablets and other products containing passionflower are popular in Europe as a mild sedative and anxiety reliever. Harvest passionflower from mid-July to late August when the flowers are in full bloom. Look for a small but distinct crucifix hovering above the flower to tell when it's ready.

Things You'll Need

• Paper bag

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  To harvest individual flowers, place the index and middle fingers on each side under the flower sepals or petals. Hold the stem with the other hand and give a slight tug, releasing the stem notch from the flower. The dislodged flower should fall from the vine. Collect flowers in a paper bag.

• 2

  Set the oven to 175 degrees to dry the flowers. Wash plant material thoroughly, place fresh flowers on a baking sheet, and lay as flat as possible. Place the flowers inside with the oven door slightly ajar.

  Check and turn the flowers frequently. The stamen takes the longest to dry, so petals may brown before the center is finished. If the petals turn color, remove them immediately and dry the stamens separately.

  Screen drying takes two to three weeks, but is safer and will not destroy chemical constituents of the flower.

  Use a large screen with newspaper laid at the base. Place plant material over the newspaper and another layer of newspaper over the plants. The newspaper helps absorb moisture and keeps the plants free of light and slightly cool.

• 3

  Although every part of the plant can be eaten raw, most people prefer to use the dried plant as a tea. Use either 1 tsp. of dried material per cup or 1 oz. per 16 oz. of water. Let it steep for five to 10 minutes. Sweeten to taste.