Herbs Guide

Passion Flower

Family Name: Passifloraceae

Botanical Name(s): Passiflora Incarnata

Popular Name(s): Maypops, Wild Passionflower and Apricot Vine

Parts Used: Leaves and whole plant

Habitat: The plant is native to North, Central, and South America.

Description: Passionflower is a perennial climber with deeply lobed, finely toothed leaves, with fragrant lavender to white flowers appearing in summer. Edible fruits follow the flowers of passionflower.

Uses: Passionflower is used internally to treat nervous restlessness, sleep disorders, anxiety, neuralgia, irritability and overcoming the difficulty in falling asleep. The ripe passion fruits are eaten raw and can be made into jellies, jams, wines and fruit based drinks, while the flowers are made into syrup. Its narcotic properties cause it to be used in diarrhea and dysentery, neuralgia, sleeplessness and dysmenorrhea.