Passion Flower

Passion Flower

Common names: Passion flower also is known as passion fruit, granadilla (species with edible fruit); water lemon; Maypop, apricot vine, wild passion flower (P. incarnatus); and Jamaican honeysuckle (P. laurifolia).

Traditional-Ethnobotanical uses
The passion flower was discovered in 1569 by Spanish explorers in Peru who saw the flowers as symbolic of the passion of Christ, and therefore a sign of Christ's approval of their efforts. This is the origin of the scientific and common names. The folklore surrounding this plant possibly dates further into the past. The floral parts are thought to represent the elements of the crucifixion (3 styles represent 3 nails, 5 stamens for the 5 wounds, the ovary looks like a hammer, the corona is the crown of thorns, the petals represent the 10 true apostles, and the white and bluish purple colors are those of purity and heaven).

Passion flower has been used to treat sleep disorders and historically in homeopathic medicine to treat pain, insomnia related to neurasthenia or hysteria, and nervous exhaustion.
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