Passionflower
passiflora incarnata

I planted this beautiful flowering vine for the first time this year and am eagerly anticipating using its leaves and flowers for natural sleep remedies. It is a perennial in warmer climates, but living in zone 3 will force me to bring it indoors and hopefully keep it alive over the winter!

This herb acts upon the central nervous system making it useful as a sedative, especially when combined with valerian and lemon balm. I like drinking it in a Herbal Sleep Remedy Tea during times of restlessness and anxiety.

This beautiful vine does contain some antispasmodic effects making it helpful for headaches as well.

Although there is very little study done on its cardiac effects, passion flower is often used in combination with hawthorn for vascular diseases.

This herb is very safe for children and has no known problems when taken with other drugs. Whenever your child is hyperactive or stressed, making some passion flower and chamomile tea will help to calm and relax her.

If you are pregnant or nursing a young one, please exercise caution if wanting to take this herb. Even though it is a relatively safe herb, excessive use is discouraged.

This is best taken orally in teas and tinctures.

The recommended dose is 4-8 grams dried herb per day. Always start with a lesser dose and increase until you notice the relaxing properties taking affect.