Passion Flower Passiflora incarnata
 
The passionflower is a climbing vine that can grow to 32 feet long. Common names for the passion flower are maypop, apricot vine, maracuja, water lemon. The plant has berries called passionfruit, some of which are edible. The passionflower’s history began when it was discovered in Peru by Spanish explorers during the sixteenth century. In 1569, a Spanish doctor named Monardes documented its uses and took it back with him when he returned to the Old World. Passionflower tea became popular there for its calming effect. The benefits of the passion flower didn’t stop there, the Native people of the Americas also used the passion flower for its calming effect.
 
This natural calming effect has a great deal to do with the active group of chemicals the passionflower contains called glycosides and flavonoids. Scientists have found that only when combined do these natural chemicals create the calming effect.