Let’s talk about Passiflora incarnata!
Passionflower Passiflora incarnata is a plant that grows throughout the world. This family of plants is known as Passifloraceae. There are about 500 known species of passionflower. This beautiful flower has been used for centuries. My husband knows the vine by name of Maypop. Over the past four years, I have enjoyed watching this herbaceous vine appear every summer. If it was just to take a peek at the beautiful flowers that would just be enough but Passionflower gives way beyond her beauty. Purple Passionflower comes with many medicinal and edible uses. The leaves, flowers, and fruit are edible. A caution on proper identification. The ornamental Passionflower look-alikes are NOT interchangeable with this medicinal species.
Let’s talk about history!
The Christian History of Passionflower notes a Roman Catholic priests of the late 1500s named it for the Passion (suffering and death) of Jesus Christ. They believed that several parts of the plant, including the petals, rays, and sepals, symbolized features of the Passion. The flower’s five petals and five petallike sepals represented the 10 apostles who remained faithful to Jesus throughout the Passion. The circle of rays above the petals suggested the crown of thorns that Jesus wore on the day of His death.
Now botanically we know Passionflower has the ability to use the extra floral appendage mention above and engage in gender fluidity. Survival of the species!
Let’s talk about giving!
So what can we do for Passionflower? She loves to climb. I have noticed that Passionflower will do whatever it pleases when left alone, but when I built a trellis for the passionflower in the garden the gorgeous plant started showing off. So giving your passionflower a place to climb may help with increasing the production of flowers.
The group in the garden has grown leaps and bounds in full sun. Whereas the sets I have in the woods grow much slower in part shade. I actually ask the plant “why do you choose this spot to grow?” The shade Passionflower leaves are a deep rich green. Not so for the garden passionflower. Also, the garden passionflower deals with flea beetles.
Let’s talk about receiving!
What gifts does the Passionflower offer us? The leaves and flowers offer a remedy for insomnia, stress, headaches, pain and skin inflammation. The actions are nervine, antidepressant, anti-anxiety and so much more. Think relaxing!
Literally we could talk for hours about Passionflower! If you have any specific questions about Passiflora incarata’s abilities and how to apply them in your life, let me know!
Let’s talk about medicinal preparations.
We can make infusions, tincture, poultice and compress with the leaves and flowers.
This week I was able to make a quart of Passiflora incarnata tincture with the flowers in my garden!
Let’s make a tincture!
Grab your menstruum and an appropriate size glass jar to fill according to this ratio;
Fresh (1:2) or dry (1:5); Dosage 1–5 ml, three times a day.
There is a precaution for breastfeeding and pregnancy. If you have a little one check that out FIRST!
Passionflower blessing to you, my friends!
