Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata)

Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata)

Common Names:
  • Passion Vine
  • Maypop
  • Apricot Vine
  • Wild Passionflower
  • Passiflora
  • Passionflower Herb

Botanical Description:

Passion flower is a fast-growing perennial climbing vine native to the southeastern United States, now widely cultivated. It features distinctive, intricate flowers with fringed petals in purples, whites, and blues, resembling a symbolic crown—hence the name "passion" referring to the Passion of Christ. The vine produces egg-shaped, edible fruits called maypops. The foliage is deeply lobed and often spreads along trellises or fences.

Parts Used:
  • Aerial parts – Includes leaves, stems, and flowers; harvested during flowering season.
  • Fruits – Edible, mildly sedative, more often used in food than herbal medicine.
Constituents:
  • Flavonoids (e.g., vitexin, isovitexin, orientin, chrysin)
  • Harmala alkaloids (harmine, harmaline – in very small quantities)
  • GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)
  • Maltol
  • Cumarins
  • Essential oils
Actions:
  • Anxiolytic (calms anxiety)
  • Sedative
  • Antispasmodic
  • Hypnotic (mild)
  • Nervine tonic
  • Analgesic (mild)
  • Anticonvulsant (mild)

Equine Use:

  • Nervousness & Anxiety: Often used for horses with high-strung temperaments or stress-related behaviors such as travel anxiety, box-walking, or separation anxiety.
  • Muscle Tension & Cramping: Its antispasmodic effects can help ease tension and mild muscular stiffness.
  • Combination Use: Commonly blended with valerian, chamomile, or hawthorn in equine calming blends.
Cautions: ⚠ Should not be given before competitions if calming herbs are disallowed. Avoid excessive use due to potential sedative effects.

Canine Use:

  • Behavioural Support: Useful for dogs with noise phobias (e.g., fireworks), travel anxiety, or separation distress.
  • Epilepsy Support: Sometimes used (in combination) for mild seizure support under holistic veterinary care.
  • Senior Dogs: Gently calming for older dogs with restlessness, especially in the evenings.
Cautions: ⚠ Monitor for drowsiness; not to be used during pregnancy. Always consult a vet before combining with sedatives.

UK and Isle of Man Folklore:

  • Not native to the UK or Isle of Man, but introduced as an ornamental in the 17th century. The flower’s unique structure led to Christian symbolism being associated with it:
    • The crown of filaments represents the Crown of Thorns.
    • The ten petals and sepals symbolize the ten faithful apostles.
    • The five stamens represent the five wounds of Christ.
  • In Victorian gardens, passion flower was cultivated both for its exotic beauty and its romantic symbolism.
  • In modern British folk herb use, it’s regarded as a “gentle relaxant of the heart and mind,” and sometimes included in sleep teas or anxiety blends.

Calming

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) Plantain (Plantago major / Plantago lanceolata)