(Other names: Pinwheel flower, Clock flower) It is a sample plant of the passionflower family. Its homeland is Tropical America. It has about 400 species spread from here to the world. Some species are grown as ornamental plants in some places in our country. It is a herbaceous or woody vine that grows by twining and loving shady and humid wall bases and pergolas. Its 5-7-part dark green leaves are arranged alternately; its wheel-shaped showy flowers that bloom throughout the summer are purple, pink or red and large. The plant is propagated by seeds or stem cuttings.
The passionflower plant contains alkaloids called harmine, harmol, harman and passiflora; and other substances called flavones, glycoside and sterols. The fruits of some species can be eaten raw and are also used in making drinks and sherbets.
Passionflower plant, which does not contain poison or substances that may be harmful to the human body, provides the following medical effects when used safely:
1. It relieves the tension and anxiety experienced by the person.
2. It calms the nerves.
3. It is a remedy for nervous and chronic insomnia.
4. It relieves nervous seizures in conditions such as Parkinson's disease and hysteria.
5. It is also soothing for nerve pain such as shingles.
For all such cases, the leaves collected from the branches of the plant that have not bloomed or whose flowers have matured and turned into fruit between late spring and midsummer are dried in a shaded and airy place and an infusion is prepared: 1 teaspoon of dried leaves are poured with 1 cup of boiling water and infused for 15 minutes. To relieve insomnia, drink one cup of this infusion before going to bed at night; to provide relaxation and to relieve other complaints, drink two cups a day at any time.
