Origin
Passionflower comes from the inflorescences and infructescence of Passiflora incarnata L., a branching, perennial climbing plant. It includes about 465 species and is native to Central and South America with some species coming from North America, Australia and Asia.
The name of the genus, adopted by Linnaeus in 1753 and meaning “flower of passion” (from Latin passio = passion and flos = flower), was attributed to it by the Jesuit missionaries in 1610, due to the resemblance of some parts of the plant with the religious symbols of the passion of Jesus: the tendrils to the whip with which he was scourged, the three styles to the nails, the stamens to the hammer, the coralline ray to the crown of thorns.
Therapeutic properties
Passionflower promotes mental well-being.
The traditional use of Passiflora incarnata for the relief of mental stress symptoms and to help the sleep .
Mechanism of action
Pre-clinical studies show that the mechanism of action underlying the anxiolytic effects of Passiflora incarnata may be mediated through modulation of the GABA system.
Tolerability
Passiflora incarnata is generally well tolerated.
No adverse events seem to have been reported for products registered in the EU.