Most people will know it derives its English (and its Latin) name from the appearance of its flowers which are said to evoke the passion of Christ. The crown of thorns being the fringed corolla and the nails and the hammer, its stamens and pistil. However it is only relatively recently (in the middle of the 19th century) that its remarkable sedative and anxiolytic actions were discovered. It calms the nerves without causing depression and can induce a normal night's sleep without leaving you with that unrefreshed 'morning-after feeling' that you have merely been 'switched off' which is common to many pharmaceutical sleeping pills. Moreover, since the recent controversy about the sometimes harmful effects of taking sleeping pills for a long time (study published in the British Medical Journal in February this year), it is perhaps getting more important to appreciate the gentler properties of some of the herbs that can help promote a restful sleep. The passionflower is one of these, particularly where a sleepless state is connected to anxiety.
Simple teas of passionflower and over the counter preparations (widely available from health food shops) that contain this herb, often mixed with other herbs with anxiolytic and sedative properties, can help with some less intractable cases of insomnia. They may also help with some low level anxiety states, for example those connected to the menopause and PMT (premenstrual tension). Additionally, heart palpitations that are anxiety induced (make sure that they are not more serious!) can be often respond well to passionflower, as can some nervous and tension headaches.
However all of these conditions (especially anxiety and insomnia) can be quite difficult to resolve and some may not respond well to over the counter preparations. There may, for example, be other other contributory and underlying issues that need attention and dosage levels and herbal combinations may not be appropriate. In these cases a Medical Herbalist might be able to help as they will be able to formulate a medicine on the basis of each patient's individual presentation and condtion, using individually selected herbs.
There are a few contra-indications with passioflower, so as with all herbs if you are taking other medication, or have other medical conditions,pregnant or lactating, check with a health professional before using
Gotu kola is a perennial plant native to India, Japan, China, Indonesia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the South Pacific. A member of the parsley family, it has no taste or smell. It thrives in and around water. It has small fan-shaped green leaves with white or light purple-to-pink flowers, and it bears small oval fruit. The leaves and stems of the gotu kola plant are used for medicinal purposes
This information is meant for educational purposes only and not intended as a guide to self-treatment. You should always seek professional advice. Remember that herbs can interact with other drugs and may be contra-indicated if you have certain medical conditions, are pregnant or lactating. Don't take too much of anything for too long and discontinue immediately if you have any ill effects. . Take care when using wild plants or any herbs, that you have the correct species from a reliable source.
Catherine Schofield BSc MNIMH Herbalist Cheshire Herbs and Herbal Medicine