Passiflora – The Anxiety Reliever – Monastic Recipes

Description

Passiflora or Passionflower: A Natural Remedy for Insomnia and Stress

Passiflora (Passiflora incarnata) is an herb historically used to treat anxiety, insomnia, epileptic seizures, and hysteria.

Passionflower or Passiflora is a plant with numerous species and varieties, all sharing the common traits of being climbing and deciduous, with glossy green foliage. Its leaves are palm-shaped with varying numbers of lobes. The plant climbs using branched tendrils that provide support. The passionflower gets its common name from its unique, colorful flowers that resemble intricate clocks. Passiflora is commonly used as tea, in infusions, extracts, and tinctures.

Properties:

There is evidence from studies indicating that this herb treats stress, insomnia, and neurological disorders.

Better Sleep: The most common medicinal use of passionflower tea or extracts is for relieving insomnia. Research findings have shown that using low doses of this tea provides some short-term benefits for adults with sleep problems.

Pain Relief: Due to its antispasmodic and soothing properties, passionflower alleviates physical pain. Try it for premenstrual cramps, headaches, muscle discomfort, and toothaches.

Eases Nervousness: Passiflora is also commonly used to combat nervousness, anxiety, and stress.

Antidepressant Relief: It can help alleviate depression experienced by women during menopause who are not undergoing hormone replacement therapy.

Drug Withdrawal: Passiflora also helps combat withdrawal symptoms from opioid medications by reducing psychological symptoms such as stress and irritability.

Blood Pressure Reduction: Researchers have concluded that the antioxidant compounds anthocyanins and a substance in passionflower called edulic acid are responsible for managing high blood pressure.

Dosage:

Infusions: 2.5 grams, 3 to 4 times a day Tea: 4 to 8 grams of dried herb, daily Extract: 10 to 30 drops, 3 times a day

Possible Side Effects:

Rarely, side effects such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, tachycardia, and mental slowdown have been reported, so it is advisable not to use heavy machinery. However, the FDA does not provide guidelines for herbs and dietary supplements, nor are they fully regulated, so there is no guarantee of their safety and effectiveness.

Always consult your doctor before trying any herb as an alternative treatment.

Just as you would with any medication, do not take passionflower if you are pregnant or breastfeeding without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Also, there is always the possibility of interaction with another medication or treatment, so it is important to be cautious if you are taking anticoagulants, antihistamines, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or narcotics. The same applies to antidepressants.

Caution is also needed when combining passionflower with valerian, alcohol, caffeine, and aspirin.

Finally, it is important to emphasize that there is no scientific evidence regarding how beneficial it could be for children.

Net weight: 30g