Over 500 species of passionflower grow worldwide. The Aztecs called it “snake vine” because they used it to treat snakebites and ostensibly, because it is an antispasmodic.
Passionflower helps to alleviate dysentery (diarrhea with stomach ache), neuralgia (aching nerves), painful menstrual cycles, heart palpitations, mental fatigue and high blood pressure.
Make a tea of the leaves and flowers to relax or to sleep: Gently simmer a handful of leaves and flowers in 4 cups of water for 15 minutes. Strain the mixture and drink hot.
In its composition can be found numerous bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, cyanogenic compounds, glycosides, vitamins, minerals, and terpenoid which have shown several functional properties such as antiinflammatory, antidiabetic, and antianxiety activities, as well as their capacity to protect against cardiovascular disease (Viuda-Martos 2020)
Most of the pharmacological investigations of Passiflora edulis have been addressed to its Central Nervous System activities, such as anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and sedative actions (Montanher et al. 2007).
Anxiolytic activity of aqueous extract of P. edulis and P. alata leaves was evaluated using the elevated plus-maze test (used as an anxiety animal model). The authors concluded that the leaf extract of both the plants at doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg have shown anxiolytic activity in the elevated plus-maze model (Paris 1985, as cited in Viuda-Martos 2020).
Montanher, A. B., Zucolotto, S. M., Schenkel, E. P., & Fröde, T. S. (2007). Evidence of anti-inflammatory effects of Passiflora edulis in an inflammation model. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 109(2), 281–288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2006.07.031
Viuda-Martos, M., Pérez-Alvarez, J. A., & Fernández-López, J. (2020). Passion fruit. Nutritional Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Fruits and Vegetables, 581–594. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-812780-3.00036-2
Sra. Sanchez: Listen, little sister, Alfredo comes home very stressed from work quite often.
Sra. Delgado: Well, you may be able to help him to calm down. Roberto was the same way.
Sra. Sanchez: Did he go to the doctor?
Sra. Delgado: No, little sister, with passionflower tea you can calm him down.
Sra. Sanchez: Really? How do I prepare it? I am only familiar with the delicious passion fruit which I make into a sauce for my hotcakes.
Sra. Delgado: Look, when your husband gets home from work, have the tea ready for him. Make it with some leaves and flowers of the passion fruit tree and a little bit of honey. Sometimes it takes a few cups to work. You could also massage his neck and shoulders to help his nervous system relax.
Sra. Sanchez: OK. I will try it today right away. Thank you, Berta.
Sra. Delgado: Good luck Tere
When the Spanish arrived in Mexico they named this plant “Passion flower” because the flower reminded them of the passion of Christ. The crown of the flower represents Christ’s crown of thorns, the 5 sepals and 5 petals represent 10 of the 12 disciples (Peter and Judas are not represented). The filaments in the corolla represent the number of thorns in the crown.