Etymology and Names of Passion flower(Passiflora)
Passion Flower is also called Passiflorina, Passion Vine, Maypop, Flower of the Five Wounds, Water Lemon, Apricot vine, Passionaria, Passionblume. It is called Jhumkalata and Ghari bel in Hindi, Krishna Kamala in Marathi, Jhumkalata in Bengali, Radhika nachom in Manipuri, Tella Jumiki in Telugu, Kukki Belli and Krishna Kamala in Kannada, Cirran cantia in Malayalam, and sirupoonaikali in Tamil. In Oriya we call it Radha Tamala and in some areas panchu pandab.
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| Passiflora Soi Fah |
Passion flower is a genus of over 530 species of flowering plants. Its botanical name is Passiflora(family-Passifloraceae).
Passion flower vine produces very beautiful white flowers with purple, blue, or pink calyx crown blooms. The blooming period is from May to July but it flowers almost all the year round. It is a perennial climber with a woody stem that grows to a length of nearly 15–20 m height where support is available. The leaves are alternate, palmately five-lobed 10–18 cm long and wide. The flower is complex, about 10 cm diameter, with the five sepals and petals similar in appearance, whitish in colour, surmounted by a corona of blue or violet filaments, then five greenish-yellow stamens and three purple stigmas. The fruit is a smooth, yellow, ovate berry containing numerous seeds. Passionflower is very easy to propagate through root division or by seed. A lattice or fence could be provided near it for good growth, since it is a climbing vine with tendrils seeking a support.
It’s said that passionflower got its name because its corona resembles the crown of thorns worn by Jesus Christ during the crucifixion. It symbolizes Christ's suffering on the cross. It is more commonly known as the crown of thorns. I have often heard in my area that this flower resembles a rakhi which is worn on the wrist of every brother on Rakshya Bandhan festival all over India as the symbol of a sister’s love for her brother. It’s one of my favourite flowers. Its colour, fragrance, shape, the vine, the leaves; everything about it is simply unique and magically beautiful.
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| Passiflora Foetida |
Some species produce small berry-like fruit called granadilla or water lemon. The aerial parts of the plant are gathered during fruiting season and then dried for future processing.
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The fruits of Passiflora Foetida or Wild watermelons |
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| Buds of passion flower |
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| Passiflora Lady Margaret |
Traditional medicine and uses of Passion flower
The leaves, stems, and flowers are used for medicinal purposes. Passion plant is anodyne, antispasmodic, anxiolytic, aphrodisiac, aromatic, narcotic and sedative. Passion Flower is a Natural Tranquilizer. It reduces spasms and depresses the central nervous system.
It is commonly used for pain relief, as a sedative, hypnotic, antispasmodic, neuralgia (pain along a nerve), diarrhea, dysentery, generalized seizures, nervous tachycardia (abnormally high heart rate), spasmodic asthma, epilepsy, and other conditions of hyperactivity, as well as high blood pressure, hysteria, nervous agitation, dysmennorhea (painful menstruation), and hemorrhoids.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) was used traditionally in the Americas and later in Europe as a calming herb for anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and hysteria. It is still used today to treat anxiety and insomnia. A decoction of passion flower has been successfully used in bronchial asthma. It has been used in Europe and America as a healing for burns; extract of the herb have a marked effect on inflammations. Early research indicated that an extract of passion flower was effective against the disturbance of menopause.
Still larger doses of passion flower extract causes hallucinations, convulsions, and vomiting. Oral doses of 250-350 mg will produce distinct psychotic symptoms, full of hallucinations, followed by pronounced central nervous system depression. Hence, passion flower is sometimes used as a mild hallucinogen. The ancient Aztecs reportedly used passionflower as a sedative and pain reliever. But unlike other sedatives passionflower is non-addictive. Passion Flower Tea benefits have been recognized for over 200 years by the Native Americans as effective in sedating and calming the nerves. The parts of the plant (flowers, leaves, and stems) are used for medicinal purposes. Passion Flower may reduce chemical reactions that cause nausea and vomiting as a result of withdrawal from drugs like cocaine, heroin etc., and this may prove useful as a support for those patients trying to withdraw from such dangerous addictives.
Passionflower Herbal Tea Recipe
- Boil 1 cup(include stems) water for 10 minutes.
- Put about 1 tsp. of dried herb into it.;
- Strain and cool the extract.
- For anxiety, during the day drink 3 - 4 cups per day.
- For insomnia, drink 1 cup an hour before going to bed.
Passionflower is generally considered to be nontoxic when used in moderation. Many herbalists prescribe 3 to 4 cups a day without any problems reported. But passionflower extracts should never be given to anybody who is already under medication for anxiety or depression for it could lead to excessive sleepiness. Also remember that blue passionflower or Passiflora caerulea, should not be used, as it does not have the same activity. Passionflower should not be given to pregnant or lactating mothers.
N.B. All the above is solely for informational purpose and NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE ANY KIND OF MEDICAL ADVICE. A REGD. AYURVEDIC/MEDICAL PRACTITIONER SHOULD ALWAYS BE CONSULTED FOR IT.
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| Krishna tamala |
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| The leaves of passion vine |
