Blue Sky Farm

My blogging posts and photos are part of me . I think of this as a scrapbook of my life. The names have not been changed.. they are real people who have crossed my path along my journey. Some I know intimately, my family and friends. If their names are mentioned it's a sure sign they are special to me and I love them dearly...come along see for yourself, perhaps you know some of them too..

January 19, 2009

Tuesdays Healing plant

I am posting this early so I can watch the Inauguration Speech of President Obama Tuesday Morning.

Tuesday's simple herbal plants & wisdom is The passion flower (passiflora incarnata)


The Passion fruit flower and the passion fruit besides being a pretty flower, the fruit is high in Vitamin C. The fruit tastes tart and fruity.


Also known as Maypop, passion-vine. It grows in partially dry areas, and along fences and woods of the United States.
Description: It has a long vine which grows for 30 feet in length and bears alternate, serrate leaves with finely toothed lobes. The flowers are white with purple centers developing in the leaf axils, blooming from May to July. The fruit is a smooth, yellow, ovate berry containing numerous seeds.
Passion Flower benefits:

Passion flower is helpful in some people in reducing restlessness, anxiety, and nervousness. It also has mild anti-cough properties
Anti-anxiety: Passion flower has a tranquilizing effect, including mild sedative and anti-anxiety effects. In studies conducted since the 1930's, its mode of action has been found to be different than that of most sedative drugs (sleeping pills), thus making it a non-addictive herb to promote relaxation.
Insomnia: The sedative effect of Passion flower has made it popular for treating a variety of ailments, including nervousness and insomnia. Research had indicated that passion flower has a complex activity on the central nervous system (CNS), which is responsible for its overall tranquilizing effects. Also, it apparently has an antispasmodic effect on smooth muscles within the body, including the digestive system, promoting digestion. Passionflower is taken as a tea or tincture.

The dried herb is available at health food stores. It is best used in small doses as the herb influences the central nervous system.

I really would like to see if these will grow here in Klamath Falls, and train it to arch over an arbour in my back yard.

2 comments:

Dennis Vander Houwen said...

We used to have passion fruit on Pavolvas (a dessert of a big marrange topped with fruit and whipped cream - Aussie but named after a Russian Ballerina) when I was in Australia... the memory is intensly relaxing so I guess the setative effects even work twenty four years later.

Anonymous said...

Carrie(cinnamongir)

That is such a cool plant wonder if it would grow here.
Nice blog too
Farmgirl Hugs