|  | Alternative Medicine | Herbs Alternative Medicine

Passion Flower Uses

Passion flower is a calming herb that has traditionally been used to treat anxiety and insomnia. One of the main properties of passion flower is that it increases the levels of a chemical in the brain called the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This chemical is responsible for lowering the activity of brain cells, having a relaxing effect in the body. To receive the medical benefits of passion flower, you may be take it as a tea, an infusion or in the form of a tincture.

  1. Anti-anxiety Properties

    • The anti-anxiety properties of passion flower are in great part due to the large amount of flavonoids present in the herb. A few of the flavonoids found in passion flower, such as apigenin, kaempferol, luteolin and quercetin, are also known to help the fight against Parkinson's disease and certain forms of cancer. To treat anxiety, passion flower can be brewed as a tea by steeping one tablespoon of dry passion flower petals, stems and leaves in a cup of hot water for 10 minutes. This tea can be taken thrice daily.

    Anti-Spasmodic and Astringent Properties

    • Passion flower is also commonly used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia and premenstrual cramping due to the herb's anti-spasmodic and astringent properties. The anti-spasmodic properties of passion flower are mostly present in the stem and the leaves. It is recommended to take 30 to 60 drops of passion flower tincture daily to help with the aforementioned disorders. Passion flower tincture is safe to use for extended periods of time.

    Sedative Properties

    • An infusion of passion flower has strong sedative effects that depress the motor nerves of the spinal cord, making it very useful for treating intense back pain. An infusion is made by taking one-fourth cup of dry passion flower herb and steeping it for four hours or overnight in a quart glass jar filled with hot water. Drinking passion flower infusion does not cause addiction or drowsiness.

    Edible Herb

    • Some of the berries and the flowers of passion flower are edible and can be added to salads and dishes as a good source of flavonoids. The flower not only adds flavor to food but also serves as an elegant decoration, considering its majestic and beautiful five white petals underlying five sepals that vary in color from magenta to blue. Eating passion flower does not have the same medicinal intensity as a tea, infusion or tincture of the herb has on the body, but it may still have slight calming effects.

Herbs Alternative Medicine - Related Articles