Papaya - a world class meat tenderizer, natural digestive aid, prevents ulcers, and also a soft contact lense cleaner.Healing with Passionflower
The FDA had a reasonable argument in 1978 before this herb had been more extensively researched, but the agency has apparently not kept up with recent findings.
Tranquilizer, Sedative - Passionflower contains substances that are potentially tranquilizing (rnaltol. ethyl-maltol, and flavonoids), as well as substances that are potentially stimulating (harmala chemicals). Various researchers have concluded the herb has “complex activity” on the central nervous system with an overall mild tranquilizing/sedative effect despite the presence of stimulants. In Europe, passionflower is an ingredient in many tranquilizing and sedative preparations. It’s non-narcotic, so there’s no need for a prescription, and there’s no possibility of addiction.
Digestive Aid - Passionflower may relax the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract, making it an antispasmodic, thus lending credence to its traditional use as a digestive aid.
Women’s Health - Antispasmodics relax not only the digestive tract but other smooth muscles, such as the uterus, as well, lending credence to passionflower’s traditional use for menstrual discomforts.
Wound Treatment - One study suggests passionflower helps relieve pain. Two others show it kills many diseasecausing molds, fungi, and bacteria, supporting its Indian and Eclectic use in wound treatment.
Intriguing Possibilities - In animal studies, the harmala chemicals in passionflower open (dilate) the coronary arteries. Blocked coronary arteries result in heart attack, so the herb might help prevention. Heart disease is a serious condition requiring professional care. If you’d like to incorporate passionflower into your overall treatment plan, do so only with the approval and supervision of your physician.
Rx for Passionflower
For possible first aid in the garden, crush a few passionflower leaves and flowers onto minor cuts on the way to washing and bandaging them.
For a pleasant-tasting infusion that may help you relax, fall asleep, or help deal with heart disease, use I teaspoon of dried leaves per cup of boiling water. Steep 10 to 15 minutes.
For insomnia, drink a cup before bed. For other uses, drink up to 3 cups a day.
In a tincture, use ¼ to I teaspoon up to three times a day. Passionflower should not be given to children under age 2. For older children and people over 65, start with low-strength preparations and increase strength if necessary.