Passiflora incarnata
Description: Herbalists in Mexico, Central America, and Texas have used passionflower as a calmative and sleeping aid for over 200 years. Relieving muscle tension, the herb lowers blood pressure and calms anxiety.
Passionflower is most appropriate for men who have conditions such as gynecomastia (enlargement of the breasts) caused by excessive estrogen. While chrysin keeps testosterone from being converted into estrogen, it also blocks some of the receptors on cells that cause them to respond to estrogen.
Passionflower is the herbal remedy of choice for treating nausea and vomiting resulting from withdrawal from Vicodin, cocaine, heroin, or opiate painkillers. It may also help in attention deficit disorder and restless legs syndrome.
Compounds in passionflower occupy the same receptor sites in the brain as the benzodiazepine drugs Librium (chlordiazepoxide) and Valium (diazepam), but cause less drowsiness. Passionflower may also help withdrawal from alcohol.
Finally, passionflower is help for nerve pain caused by post-herpetic neuralgia, the sometimes intense pain following outbreaks of shingles.
Typical Preparations:
Teas, tinctures and encapsulations. Sometimes found in relaxing bath blends and sleep pillow mixes.
Medicinal Precautions:
Don't take passionflower if you are taking an MAO inhibitor such as Elavil (amitryptyline) for depression or diabetic neuropathy. The combination of the herb and the prescription drug can cause excessive sleepiness. Pregnant women should avoid passionflower, since it can stimulate uterine contractions. Safe dosages for children under 6 have not been established.
Magickal Associations: Feminine, Venus, Water, sleep, peace, friendship, calming troubles.
What you receive: Herb that has been cut & sifted or ground and comes in a food grade poly Ziploc baggie to retain freshness.
