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.
