PASSION FLOWER
Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation.
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Name: PASSION FLOWER
Class: Herb
Risk Factor: C
Fetal Risk Summary
The herbal product used for medicinal purposes usually refers to the plant, Passiflora incarnata, but the common name, passion flower, may refer to many of the approximately 400 species of the genus Passiflora (1,2). Some species are grown for their flowers. In addition, some species produce edible fruit, such as P. incarnata, P. edulis, and P. quadrangularis. The plant is a perennial vine that may reach 10 meters in length. It is indigenous to the southeastern United States to South America. The medicinal parts include the whole or cut dried herb and the fresh aerial parts (1,2). In this review, the term passion flower will only refer to P. incarnata, the product used in herbal medicine.
Commercial products of passion flower are available for both oral and topical administration. A number of indications have been claimed for passion flower, including nervousness (e.g., hysteria, nervous exhaustion, pediatric nervousness and excitability), neuralgia, insomnia, pain, asthma and other bronchial disorders, generalized seizures, compresses for burns, hemorrhoids (externally), and for menopausal complaints (1,2,3 and 4) .
As with most herbs, a relatively large number of chemical compounds are contained in the commercial product: flavonoids (content 2.5%; includes flavone di-C-glycosides shaftoside, isoshaftoside, isovitexin, iso-orientin, vicenin, lucenin, saponarin, and passiflorine), maltol (0.05%), cyanogenic glycosides (gynocardine [less than 0.1%]), and indole alkaloids (harman, harmine, harmaline, harmalol, and harmin) are the primary constituents (1,2,3 and 4) . The alkaloids, however, are reportedly present in subtherapeutic amounts (5). Other constituents include free flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, and campherol), several acid compounds (phenolic, linoleic, linolenic, palmitic, oleic, myristic, formic, and butyric acids), coumarins, phytosterols, and essential oil (1).
The pharmacologic activity of passion flower apparently derives from the flavonoids and alkaloids (1,3). A few studies have apparently documented the sedative action of passion flower in animals and humans. The FDA prohibited the use of passion flower in over-the-counter (OTC) products in 1978 because it had not been proven to be safe and effective (5), but the product is apparently available as a herbal remedy.
No reports have been located describing the use of passion flower in human pregnancy. However, two sources have cited reports that the herb is contraindicated during pregnancy because of the uterine stimulant action of the harman (harmala) alkaloids (harman, harmaline) shown in animals and because of the presence of cyanogenic glycoside gynocardine (1,3). In contrast, the German Commission E monographs states there are no contraindications (4).
In summary, the use of passion flower has apparently not been reported during human pregnancy. Typically with herbal products, a large number of chemicals have been identified from this herb and none have undergone reproductive testing. Because passion flower has been in use for hundreds of years or longer, it is doubtful that a major teratogenic effect or other significant reproductive toxicity would have escaped notice. More subtle or low-incidence effects, however, including structural and behavioral teratogenicity, the induction of abortions due to its uterine stimulant properties, and infertility, may have escaped detection, and further study is required before human reproductive risk or safety can be assessed.
In addition to the above concerns, standardization of any herbal product is often questionable (6). As such, the presence of therapeutic or subtherapeutic amounts of active ingredients, or their complete absence, in a given preparation cannot be predicted. Commercial herbal products may also be adulterated with unlabeled ingredients (6). Because of these uncertainties, the consumption of passion flower during gestation should be avoided.
Breast Feeding Summary
No reports describing the use of passion flower during lactation have been located. Because of the large number of chemical compounds in the herb, the lack of standardization of commercial products, and the complete lack of information on the effects of exposure to these substances in a nursing infant, the use of passion flower during breast feeding should be avoided.
References
- Passion Flower. The Review of Natural Products. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, March, 1999.
- Passiflora Incarnata. PDR for Herbal Medicines. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics, 1998:101516.
- Passion Flower. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Stockton, CA: Therapeutic Research Faculty, 1999:6456.
- Passionflower Herb. Blumenthal M, Senior Editor. The Complete German Commission E Monographs. Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council. 1998:17980.
- Robbers JE, Tyler VE. Tyler's Herbs of Choice. The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals. Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press, 2000:15960.
- Miller LG, Hume A, Harris IM, Jackson EA, Kanmaz TJ, Cauffield JS, Chin TWF, Knell M. White paper on herbal products. American College of Clinical Pharmacy. Pharmacotherapy 2000;20:87791.
Q&A about Passion Flower
hi,just been given a passion flower.wheres the best place to plant it in my garden.sunny or shadey?
You'll need to take care, as most of them are not that hardy, suffering from frost damage and dieing etc. It would be helpful to know which one that you have. As there are so many, it may be hard to study photos and pick-out the type that you have.
They all typically love sun, though benefit from a good mix of sand in their soil - you can always add some sharp grit, to improve drainage. Good drainage helps the plant to form a good root system, which helps protect it, if there are sharp winters. especially when a young plant.
Aim to look for a microclimate, where there is good sun and warmth is abundant, such as on a south facing wall.
The 'common' Passion flower, Passiflora caerulea, is sold widely and has whitish petals and a blue corrolla, or inner flower parts. It's hardy to about -8C.
This is probably the one that you have, although some less hardy purple flowered, or other coloured Passion Flowers are often to be found for sale.
Here's a photo of this plant:
http://www.floridata.com/ref/p/pass_cae....
There is a cross between this species Passion Flower called 'Eden', after the famous Eden Project, in Cornwall, England. It has a slight fragrance, and slightly different colourings. It is probably not quite so hardy, due to its parentage.
Otherwise, growth requirements will depend on the species (original unique plant) or bred variety that you've got. Many of them will require a conservatory to provide the winter warmth that they need. You might manage to grow in a tub, bringind inside for winter protection. They all love good sun and warmth.
Here's a link to a small selection of the available types, in flower:
http://www.passiflora-uk.co.uk/shop/seed...
If you can determine which type you've got, from plant labels etc, then we can help you more specifically. But, in answer to your question, 'sunny or shadey' go for sunny.
Good luck! Rob
I have a Beautiful Passion Flower and I want to know when I should stat seeing it starting to come up, because it has been cooler than Normal in April in zone 6.
you could try a red trumpet vine, they are beautiful and very hardy.
At the nursey, I found a passion flower (here is a picture I found http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Passi... ) I am going to get two of them, and grow them up a 9 foot arch. But, will they surive the winter here? I live in ontario, zone 5.
If I were you I'd give it a try. If palm trees can survive in Canada why not a passion flower.
Try this, BEFORE the first frost purchase 1 or 2 bales of STRAW not hay. Be ready to pile it some what loose and high around the plants. Make sure it is about the size of a round wash tub(galvanized) put some netting around it to hold it in place. Don't remove until all danger of spring frost has passed. You won't be loosing a whole lot of money if it doesn't survive and if it does you'll know how to keep it.
I once brought a start of pampas grass from Alabama to Missouri the weather was -15 degrees wind chill. That is when I planted it. I put root hormone on it and watered it with WARM water and quickly put 1 full bale of straw around it (loose and piled way out and up). It survived. I was quite pleased .
Good Luck! Maybe some day you can post it on Y!A and let us know if it survived.
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"We're trying to spruce up the city and trying to give it a bit more of a Mediterranean look," Victoria parks manager Mike Leskiw said Thursday.
http://www.victorialodging.com/palmtrees...
PALM TREES of CANADA website -shocking pics!
Here is a website about palms in British Columbia, Canada.
http://www.cloudforest.com/cafe/forum/89...
Warning: pictures may shock certain individuals and some large pictures will be slow to download if your connection is not DSL.
I live in east Tennessee. I was walking along the side of the road last year and saw the passion flower in full bloom. With it being at the beginning of spring is it too late to try to dig some up. And will it come up this year.They seem to be growing wild around here.
http://www.passiflora-uk.co.uk/passion-f...
http://www.gardenline.usask.ca/plants/pa...
Late spring is the best time to take cuttings...being still cold coming in..you can start them inside in a common glass of water..use well water or distilled water to do this..if you have city water..fill a jug up the night before and let it set out to let the chlorine "gas out of it"...Root harmone is available at wal mart or any place that has a garden center for about 3 dollars a small jar..
I have been told that the passion flower lasts at the most 5 to 6 yrs. I have now had mine for 7yrs and it is still growing-for the past year, it has grown another 15ft. I love this plant. Will it thrive no matter where it is?
I've been having recent bouts of severe anxiety. I don't want to use perscription medication for this so a friend recommended valerian root. At the health food store they also recommended passion flower extract and Gaba complex. Does anyone have any advice on these supplements? I know to take the valerian root at night because it will make me tired, but what about the other two? Will they aliviate my symptoms?
i have a passion flower climber, i was wondering if i should cut it back as it has stopped flowering or should i just leave it. i am hopeless at gardening and have heard lots of contraticting advice.
You should prune a passion flower (Passiflora caerulea) in winter when the plant is dormant.
Before pruning anything remember to clean your secateurs and clean them between plants so that you do not spread any disease. Think of yourself as a surgeon!
A simple pruning rule for all plants is to first remove the three D's - Dead, Diseased and Damaged.
Once you have done this cut the plant back to where you would like it to be, don't be scared of it passion flowers are tough.
Remember to cut just above a leaf joint, this will prevent die back.
I don't have insomnia but I do have lots of passion flower and wondered if you can use it as a tea?
I was told by my mother that the passion flower tells the stoy about the "Ten Commandments". Is this true? What is meant by this?
"Passion" does not refer to love, but to the Passion of Christ on the cross. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Spanish Christian missionaries discovered this flower and adopted its unique physical structures as symbols of Crucifixion. For example: the 72 radial filaments (or corona) represent the Crown of Thorns. The ten petals and sepals represent the ten faithful apostles. The top 3 stigma represent the 3 nails and the lower 5 anthers represent the 5 wounds. The flower has been given names related to this symbolism throughout Europe since that time. In Spain, it is known as Espina de Cristo (Christ's Thorn). In Germany it was once known as Muttergottes-Schuzchen (Mother-of-God's Star).-
Do all passion flower plants produce fruit as well, or maybe mine is one that won't ever produce any fruit?
To hand pollinate, use a clean (unused) paintbrush with soft bristles. Brush it against the stamens (yellow parts) of one flower, and then against the middle part of another. Have fun.