Passion fruit is a perennial creeping vine native to the Southeastern region of the United States. It is also called passionflower, passiflora or passion vine. The flower has a striking, unusual appearance and grows in a number of brightly colored varieties. Both the flowers and the fruit are edible and have been traditionally used for medicinal purposes. The flowers can be eaten as they are, candied or prepared as a tea; they have a sweet, mild flavor. The natural flavonoids and relaxants found in the passion flower of the passion fruit vine could interact negatively with medications. Always consult your doctor before beginning self treatment.
Natural Sleep Aid
Folk medicine has traditionally used passion fruit flower as a natural sleep aid. A study published in "Phytotherapy Research" tested the sedative effects of passion fruit flower extract. The researchers did note a "nonspecific central nervous system depressant effect." They also noticed a potential toxicity to humans. A study by French researchers showed sedative effects on the behavior of mice. The activity level of the mice, measured by number of rears and steps taken, dropped when they received an extract of passion fruit flower.
Anxiety Reducer
The mild sedative effects of passion fruit flower led to questions as to its effectiveness in anxiety control for patients about to undergo surgery. According to "Anesthesia & Analgesia" a double-blind, placebo-controlled study showed that passion fruit flower extract "as a premedication reduces anxiety without inducing sedation." The level of anxiety was measured by the individual patients using a numerical rating scale.
May Relieve Symptoms of Asthma
Holistic-herbalist.com claims that the relaxant properties of passion fruit flower give it the ability to control the spastic coughing associated with asthma which can be caused by anxiety. However, a study on the anti-asthmatic effects of extracts from the passion fruit flower published in Phytotherapy Research, reports that "No preventive effect was exhibited." This study was limited to an isolated compound and more research is needed.
References
- "Phytotherapy Research"; Assessment of the Hypnotic/Sedative Effects and Toxicity of Passiflora edulis Aqueous Extract in Rodents and Humans; December 1991
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Behavioural Effects of Passiflora incarnata L. and its Indole Alkaloid and Flavonoid Derivatives and Maltol in the Mouse; June 1997
- "Anesthesia & Analgesia"; Preoperative Oral Passiflora Incarnata Reduces Anxiety in Ambulatory Surgery Patients - A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study; June 2008
- Holistic Herbalist: Passionflower
- "Phytotherapy Research": Antiasthmatic Activity of the Methanol Extract of Leaves of Passi?ora incarnata; August 2003
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