Passion flower (Passiflora)

Passionflower herb is used to treat restlessness, irritability, nervousness and states of tension. The herb (Passiflorae herba) is obtained from the passion flower. It consists of dried aerial parts of the plant. The passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) belongs to the passionflower family and is mainly native to the USA. The plant's active ingredients include flavonoids. However, passionflower also contains essential oils and carbohydrates. The herb can be used to make tinctures, extracts, powders or teas.

It is not yet known which ingredients cause the effects of passionflower, which may also be due to the fact that not all of the plant's ingredients have yet been identified. Likewise, little is known about the mechanism of action. The most common theory is that some ingredients interact with messenger substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain. This theory is based on a number of experiments that have already been carried out.

Always take passionflower herb exactly as described in the package leaflet or as advised by your doctor.

Due to the many different dosage forms (tinctures, powders, coated tablets, teas, etc.), it is not possible to specify a "usual dose".

You should therefore refer to the package leaflet for the dosage.

No side effects are known for the active ingredient - passionflower herb.

Interactions may occur if the following medicines are taken at the same time:

• with sleeping pills or tranquilizers such as benzodiazepines

Passionflower herb must NOT be taken in the following cases:

• if you are allergic to the ingredients of passionflower

Passionflower herb can be taken from the age of 12.

Passionflower herb should NOT be taken during pregnancy, as it stimulates the uterine muscles to contract.

Passionflower herb should NOT be taken while breastfeeding, as there is a lack of information on this and it is therefore not possible to approve its safe use while breastfeeding.

The passion flower was discovered by Spanish explorers in Peru as early as 1569. The passion flower was regarded by the Spanish as a symbol of the Passion of Christ, which was decisive for its name. They associated the 3 styles, which belong to the female part of the flower, with the crucifix or the 3 nails with which Jesus was nailed to the cross. The 5 pairs of anthers (stamen), which belong to the male part of the flower, reminded the Spaniards of the 5 wounds inflicted on Jesus during the crucifixion. The many small bluish petals (sepals) reminded them of Christ's crown of thorns and the sepals (petals) of the apostles. They also associated the colors white and blue with purity and heaven.