* Please Note: Traditional Use information is provided as a courtesy only. Although we have done our best to review the validity of these uses and we continue to revise this information as new data emerges, the traditional uses indicated on this page for this product may be wrong. This information is based on Traditional and Folklore Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA and is not necessarily based on scientific evidence from any source. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Other Names: Apricot vine; passiflore, fleur de la passion (French); Fleischfarbene Passionsblume (German); passiflora (Italian); pasiflora (Spanish).
Description: A woody perennial creeper (vine) that climbs with the aid of coiled tendrils. It has hairless, lobed leaves, large stipules and solitary, very characteristic, open, white and violet flowers, with conspicuous flower parts that have given rise to the vernacular name "passion flower". The origin is said to be a "Calvary Lesson" by Catholic missionaries in South America. The numerous petaloid corona threads are seen as a symbol for the Crown of Thorns, the five stamens for the Wounds, the three stigmas for the Nails on the Cross and the five sepals and five petals as the ten apostles (excluding Judas and Peter). The fruit is a characteristic many-seeded berry with delicious, juicy fruit pulp.
Origin: Eastern and southern parts of North America. It is cultivated to a limited extent.
Parts Used: Dried whole herb, mainly leaves and thin stems (Passiflorae herba).
Therapeutic Category: Sedative.
Uses and Properties: The main use of passion flower herb is as a mild sedative to treat nervousness, restlessness, sleeplessness and nervous gastrointestinal disorders, especially in children.
Preparation and Dosage: A tea can be made with 2 g of finely chopped herb. Two or three cups are taken throughout the day, or one or two cups at bedtime (maximum daily dose is 4 - 8 g of herb). Extracts are used in a large number of sedative preparations and combinations; also in some cardiotonics.
Active Ingredients: The herb contains flavonoids (C-glycosides of vitexin, isovitexin, apigenin and luteolin), gamma-pyrone derivatives (maltol and ethylmaltol), a polyacetylene (passicol) and a cyanogenic glycoside (gynocardin). Previous reports mention indole alkaloids of the harmine type. A re-evaluation, using a sensitive HPLC method, failed to find evidence of alkaloids.
Pharmacological Effects: Passion flower has sedative, hypnotic and anti-spasmodic activity, as shown in animal studies. It is not yet clear which compounds are responsible; beta-carboline alkaloids inhibit MAO and bind to serotonin receptors; they would be good candidates for a sedative but their presence has been disputed. Maltol and ethylmaltol have CNS sedating and anticonvulsant effects.
Status: Traditional medicine; Pharm.; Comm. E+; ESCOP 4.
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Directions
Take 20-30 drops of extract in a small amount of warm water 3-4 times daily as needed.
Cautions
Not to be used during pregnancy and lactation. Do not exceed recommended dose.
Additional Information
TerraVita is an exclusive line of premium-quality, natural source products that use only the finest, purest and most potent ingredients found around the world. TerraVita is hallmarked by the highest possible standards of purity, potency, stability and freshness. All of our products are prepared with the highest elements of quality control, from raw materials through the entire manufacturing process, up to and including the moment that the bottles or bags are sealed for freshness and shipped out to you. Our highest possible standards are certified by independent laboratories and backed by our personal guarantee.
TerraVita exists to meet and ensure your family's health and wellness without the harmful effects or chemicals and prescription medications. We strive to make all of our products affordable and reliable and are constantly searching the market to maintain our affordability and to look for new ways to serve you and the ones you love. TerraVita has become a trusted household name for many families and can bring you and yours the very best herbal supplements, blends, teas and spices that are on the market today.
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
