Passionflower
Passiflora caerulea
4:1 Ethanol/Distilled H20 Spagryic tincture of fresh, wild harvested Passiflora aerial parts (leaves and flowers), with purified salt principle added.
Planetary ruler: Moon
Physical Properties*:
The ethanolic leaf extract of Passiflora Caerulea has been found to contain phytochemicals such as isoorientin (antitumour, free-radical scavenging), vitexin (anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperalgesic, antinociceptive (pain killing) and neuroprotective), isovitexin (reduces cardiac swelling, anti-alzheimers, antioxidant, relaxant, anti-inflammatory) and vicenin-2 (anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, hepaprotective). These phytochemical’s antinociceptive, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diarrhoeal properties make this species a potent remedy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Chrysin, a monoflavoide present in this species has been found to have an anxiolytic (anxiety reducing) effect, working through the benzodiazepine receptors. Passiflora caerulea has been used as a treatment for insomnia throughout many countries, over many centuries – whilst some cultures use it more so for relieving nervous conditions that prevent sleep, rather than pain conditions, Passiflora caerulea has recently been found to bestow analgesic effects, owing to the presence of certain flavonoids and tannins. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been obtained from this species via aqueous leaf extracts, these nanoparticles are potent anti-fungal agents – the plant also shows inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus. Ethanolic leaf extract of Passiflora caerulea have been used to treat various pathologies occouring in the gastrointestinal tract.
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Emotional/Spiritual Properties*:
The Christ consciousness found within this passionflower is strong! In-fact it’s name comes from the Spanish word ‘Passio’ that denotes the flower is a symbol for the passion of Christ. Whilst passionflower serves as an excellent sedative and relaxant, this plant knows exactly what passions one needs to think through, move through, and potentially hold for the next day before one can sleep – be they pent up frustrations, or blissful inspirations, passionflower weaves with you through them all, a viney enthral wrapped around your third eye, with some help of its MAOI’s you can take to the skies, and that is where you may dream, or pour forth the rich seem of your … passions! This herb imparts the fine line that one may walk and weave analysis and intuition, head and heart, yearning and patience…this fine line is innately peaceful. This is how passionflower imparts rest at the end of the day, it’s pulls us on to and settles us in to that fine line, not in a tentative way, as it’s fine tendrils poke playfulness at… no, the passionflower is all embracing, it is a tether, a dynamic tether, holding us to the clarity that is the one truth, and enabling us to walk from there!
Cautions/contraindications:
-SSRI’s and tricyclic antidepressants: When taken in combination with Passionflower these drugs may lead to low blood pressure and increased sedation.
-Sedative herbs: If taken with sedative herbs such as Kava and Valerian drowsy effects may be very strong.
-Bleeding: When taken with herbs or supplements such as Ginko, saw palmetto and even garlic, the risk of bleeding may increase.
-Caffiene: When taken with coffee or herbs containing caffeine like compounds passionflower may increase blood pressure.
-Lycopene: Passionflower contains lycopene and will thus have additive effects when taken with Lycopene supplements.
-Passionflower may also interact with medications taken for pain, seizures, bacterial infections, cancer, anxiety and fungal infections. It may interact with antihistamines, antitussives, antispasmodics, CNS depressants, medications broken down by the liver and other neurologic agents.
