Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata)
Maybe you know them as Maypops. Some say they look like tiny dancing ballerinas. These are one of my FAVORITE items to wild forage for.
You can utilize every part of the passion flower, from the whole cut dried herb to the fresh aerial parts, all the way to the edible fruit.
It is a perennial vine on a strong, woody stem that reaches up to 10m in length. It is indigenous to an area from the southeast US to Argentina and Brazil. It is cultivated in Europe as a garden plant. Lots of gardeners here in the US view it as invasive. As an herbalist, I see it as magic in my path.
Passion flower contains glycosides and is hypotensive and stimulates respiration. It is used for depressive states, general nervous agitation, anxiety, energy balance, insomnia, and nervous gastrointestinal complaints. The herb is used externally for hemorrhoids and in the bath for nervous agitation.
There are no known health hazards of side effects when used properly.
I personally use the extract and tea as a means to settle nervous agitation and help with sleep. This is especially good if you have racing thoughts at bedtime.
I find that it's full potential is utilized as tea. I recommend 1tsp in 8 ounces of boiling water. Steep 8 to 10 minutes. Enjoy 2 to 3 cups throughout the day for nervous agitation or 30 minutes before bed for supporting restful sleep. Click the underlined links to view our organic passion flower tea blends.
We offer these lovely passion flower tea blends:
Energy Balancing Tea (7 Chakras)
If tea isn't your thing, we offer these passion flower extract blends:
Peace & Calm Stress & Anxiety Extract
Wild foraging notes: If you have access to passion flower - please harvest wisely. This means: Take only what you need, leave the rest. Never harvest near power lines or near roadways.
To make tea from the plant you have foraged, remove the flowers and the leaves. Wash them well. Let them dry for a bit on a towel. Once they are dry, you may roughly chop them. Use one tsp of plant matter to 8 ounces of boiling water. Allow to steep for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove plant material and enjoy with raw, local honey. You'll follow the same protocol as above for dosing.