Papaya - a world class meat tenderizer, natural digestive aid, prevents ulcers, and also a soft contact lense cleaner.Passionflower The Safety Factor
The medical literature contains no reports of harm from passionflower. However, the harmala compounds in passionflower are uterine stimulants. Whole passionflower has not been associated with miscarriage, but prudence suggests pregnant women stay away from an herb with such complex effects on the central nervous system.
Some sources warn passionflower contains cyanide, a potent poison. This is a botanical error. Ornamental blue passionflower (P. caerulea) contains the poison. The Healing herb, P. incarnata, does not. When buying passionflower, check to make sure it’s P. incarnata.
Other Cautions
For otherwise healthy non-pregnant, non-nursing adults who are not taking other tranquilizers or sedatives, passionflower is considered safe in amounts typically recommended.
Passionflower should be used in medicinal amounts only in consultation with your doctor. If passionflower causes minor discomforts, such as stomach upset or diarrhea, use less or stop using it. Let your doctor know if you experience unpleasant effects or if the symptoms for which the herb is being used do not improve significantly in two weeks.
Divine Vine
Passionflower has a perennial root with fast-growing, climbing, annual tendrils that may reach 30 feet before succumbing to frost. Passionflower’s leaves are dull green, 4 to 6 inches long, and deeply divided into three to five lobes with serrated edges. Its sweet-scented white flowers are 3 inches across and tinged with purple They bloom in May, hence the name maypops, and produce egg-sized yellow or orange edible fruits, the source of the names apricot vine and water lemon.
Passionflower grows easily from seeds, cuttings, or root runners divided in autumn. It prefers rich, slightly acidic, wellwatered, well-drained loam in locations with plenty of light but shaded from strong, direct summer sun. The perennial root is hardy but may not survive temperatures below -15°F. The vine tendrils need something to climb-a fence or trellis.
Harvest the leaves around the time the flowers bloom.
When generously watered, the fruits are edible and sweet.