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Passion flower

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Let’s get inspired by… Passion flower

Passion Flower Origins

There are approximately over 500 recorded different species of passion flower found around the world outside Europe (although the flower is now cultivated in gardens in the UK and beyond). It is believed to be named after the Passion of Christ by Spanish missionaries who first encountered it in South America and it’s a tendril-bearing vine of the family Passifloraceae of botanical name Passiflora incarnata.

Characteristics

Passion flowers, though typically thought of as purple with a light yellow centre, actually also often comes as a white flower, depending on the species with some flowers also producing the edible passion fruit. Some species are cultivated for their decorative properties and others for their fruit and health supporting benefits.

Uses

The leaves of passion flowers have been used in traditional medicines and rituals for centuries and it is reputed to have relaxing properties if enjoyed as a tea.

Passion Flower Uses

The leaves of some species of passion flowers have been used in traditional medicines and rituals for centuries and it is reputed to have relaxing properties when enjoyed as a tea.
Some sleep promoting teas and infusions sold around the world contain passion flower.

Benefits of Passion Flower

There are no confirmed proven clinical benefits of passion flower but it is sold as a food supplement to aid relaxation, sedation, soothe anxiety and help with insomnia. It is reputed to boost the brain’s levels of Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) which acts as a neurotransmitter to calm nervous activity.

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