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Botany
Stout, smooth,
herbaceoous vine, reaching a length of 10-15 meters. Stems are
four-angled. Leaves are entire, ovate to elliptic, 10-15 cm long,
with pointed tips and broadly rounded base. Fruit is fleshy,
edible, ellipsoid, 15-20 cm long. Flower is large, solitary and
fragrant; petals are reddish.
Note.: The photo is that of P. edulis, a vine with rounded stems
and 3-deeply lobed leaves with 2-4 glands in the stalk. The flowers
are white with a crown of light purple pink. The oval fruits
have more acids and provides for a tasty drink.
Chemical constituents and properties
Passion fruit
is antispasmodic, sedative, narcotic.
Leaves produce hydrocyanic acid, 0.009 - 0.20 %, therefore poisonous.
Contains flavonoids, essential oil in trace amounts, gynocardin (a cyanogenic
glycoside), ß-carboline alkaloids, and a tri-substituted benzoflavone.
Fruit and unripe seeds also contain hydrocyanic acid.
Considered antiscorbutic, antispasmodic, astringent, diaphoretic, hypnotic,
narcotic, sedative, and vasadilating.
Root thought to be narcotic.
Distribution
Cultivated in the
Philippines for its fruit and ornamental vine.
Parts
used
Roots, bark,
flowers, fruit.
Uses
Nutritional
Fruit contains vitamin
C, citric and malic acids.
Eaten green as boiled vegetable; ripe, iced and sugared.
High in niacin.
Flowers cooked as a vegetable or made into syrup.
Folkloric
Skin of the fruit , bark
of root, used for interstinal tapeworms and parasites.
Decoction of root bark used for malaria, splenice enlargement, tuberculous
afflictions.
Infusion of powdered flower buds prescribed for bronchitis, as a wound
wash, and to expel worms.
Fruits, powdered with the seeds, as an infusion for dyspesia, stomach
pains, dysentery, colitis, and antihelmintic.
Used for anxiety , nervousness and insomnia.
Used for epilepsy, neuralgia, premenstrual tension.
Poultice of roots aplied to boils, cuts, earches, inflammation.
In the Americas and Europe, used traditionally as a "calming" herb for anxiety, seizures and hysteria.
Indigenous tribes in the Amazon have long used the leaves for its sedative and pain-relieving properties; also, as a heart tonic and for coughs.
Studies
• Anxiolytic / Sleep Aid: Studies in animals
support the traditional use of P. incarnata for the relief of mild symptoms
of mental stress and and as a sleep aid.
• Anticonvulsant: Anticonvulsant effects of aerial
parts of Passiflora incarnata extract in mice: involvement of benzodiazepine
and opioid receptors: Study suggests the usefulness
for treatment of absence seizures. Also considered: the role of benzodiazepine
receptors in the effects and the involvement of an opioid receptor mechanism.
• Reversal of Morphine Tolerance and Dependence: Study describes the use of P incarnata in reversing the development of dependence and tolerance of morphine in mice. It decreased the naloxone-precipirated withdrawal jumps in mice rendered tolerant with chronice treatment with morphine.
• Preoperative Use for Reduction of Anxiety: In out-patient surgery, preoperative use of oral Passiflora incarnata reduces preoperative anxiety.
• Anxiolytic: (1) Anti-anxiety
studies on extracts of Passiflora incarnata Linneaus: Study
suggests the possibility of a phytoconstituent with a benzoflavone nucleus
responsible for the bioactivity of P. incarnata. (2 In a comparative study, the methanol extract of P incarnata exhibited significant anxiolytic activity whereas P edulis was devoid of any significant activity. (3) Passionflower is believed to work by increasing the levels of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) in the brain, with its consequent effect on brain cells and its relaxing activity. Study showed passionflower was as effective as oxazepam (Serax) for treating symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. Those given passionflower prior to surgery had less anxiety and quicker post-anesthetic recovery. (4) Chrysin, a flavonoid, has shown significant antianxiety activity.
Drug interactions
• Additive and Synergistic Effects: (1) Reports have been made of risks of interactions between herbal medicines and conventional with additive or synergistic effects. Used with benzodiazepines, the active principles of Valerian and passionflower may increase the inhibitory effects of benzodiazepine binding to GABA receptors with consequent severe secondary effects. (2) May increase the effects of MAO inhibitors: isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
Cultivated for its fruit and ornamental vine.
In the cybermarket: teas, infusions, tinctures and extracts. |
