The Herb Passionflower

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnate) plant has numerous subspecies that fall under the name passionflower. Different species are found all over the world, but the passion flower species that is commonly used in medicines and herbal formulas is native to the southeastern United States. It is a perennial vine that can climb to a height of more than thirty feet high. The flowers have five white petals and five sepals which can vary in color. The most common colors seem to be blue and purple. It is often thought that the "passion" in Passion refers to its use as a herbal sexual tonic, but that is not the case. The "passion" in the name is actually a reference to the passion of Christ, because the flowers of the vine, which did seem thorny crown of thorns of Christ.

Passionflower was widely used by the Indians of fear, hysteria, seizures and treat insomnia. It is still used today to treat anxiety and insomnia. Most scientists believe that passionflower main action is to increase the levels of a chemical called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) in the brains. GABA is known to decrease the activity of specific neurotransmitters in the brains nerve end. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the brains to carry messages between brain cells. Because passionflower reduces the activity of these neurons in the brains is very useful in the treatment of insomnia.

Passionflower is also rich in chemicals called harmala alkaloids used for monoamine oxidase, an enzyme that is associated with a depression block. Monoamine oxide (MAO inhibitors, s) are the most common types of prescription anti-anxiety and anti-depression medications. Passionflower increases the activity of beneficial neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, which are strong anti-depressant action. Most of the pharmaceutical anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications on the market today work to this very chemical clients. A recent study showed that this passion as effective as many prescription drugs for the treatment of anxiety disorders and some forms of depression.

For many people, individual passion can be an excellent herb to use for this type of circumstance, but I tend to prefer passion when used in combination natural formulas. Passionflower is often combined in formulas with other natural sleep aids such as melatonin, valerian, lemon balm, and L-theanine to be very effective tools to create insomnia. The passion component really helps to eliminate over-active mind that is not even close. Synergistic mixed natural sleep aids are usually the best alternative for pharmaceutical sedatives to help with insomnia. Pharmaceutical sleeping pills often come with many side effects that are not present with natural formulas.