Passion Flower Tea – Getting over the excitement of the holidays has become a breeze with the help of my Natur Boutique Passion Flower Tea. A new addition to my drinks cupboard the Passion Flower tea has natural calming, soothing qualities, which, it is said can help anxiety and depression, it is high in antioxidants and can help me with the onset of a goods night sleep.
The plant has been used traditionally for many years and produces the perfect tea helping unwind in the evening.
Just boil the kettle, use one tea bag per cup. Leave to brew for 3-4 minutes in freshly boiled water, sit back and enjoy the flavours of this unique drink, letting it soothe and relax you before the bedtime.
I found the tea has a pleasant taste, which I did enjoy and overall happy to add the new addition to my existing tea selection.
Passion flower (the Latin name is Passiflora incarnateis) a type of vine that produces the beautiful and exotic blooms.
This stunningly beautiful flower is native to the Americas where it has been used for centuries to heal bruises and cuts. Modern-day herbalists recommend it as a powerful nervine tonic to treat stress, anxiety and to help the mind prepare for a restful night’s sleep.
It has also been used traditionally to provide relief to women who are experiencing menopause symptoms such as hot flushes and is especially adept at dealing with insomnia related to this change in a woman’s life.
The Benefits of Passion Flower
Anxiety/Depression
It has been suggested that If depression is related to the menopause then Passion Flower could be the most effective herb. As well as helping to alleviate symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats the alkaloids “chrysin” and “benzoflavone” present in this herb have been found to increase GABA (gamma amino-butyric acid) in the brain. GABA is one of the inhibitory neurotransmitters, used by the brain to prevent over-excitement and attain balance. It also helps to decrease the activity of depression inducing brain cells.
Insomnia
Passion Flower is a gentle anti-anxiety and mildly sedative herb that can be used to induce a good night’s sleep.
The increased GABA in the brain that Passion Flower can induce could also reduce the anxiety so often associated with insomnia. In addition, Passion Flower is known to be a muscle relaxant, easing away tension that can make it more difficult for you to drift off to sleep.
Antioxidant/Anti-inflammatory
Passion Flower is powerfully antioxidant due to the presence of a range of antioxidant compounds. One compound in particular – quercetin – has been extensively studied, it has been found to be exceptionally effective in ridding the body of damaging free radical molecules and it inhibits various enzymes that cause inflammation.
One of the only single ingredient passionflower teas available in the UK comes courtesy of herbal tea specialists Natur Boutique. A tasty tea, that’s perfect to sit back and relax with before bedtime.
To find out more about Passion Flower Tea visit www.naturboutique.co.uk
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Folklore and History of the Passion Flower
The history of Passiflora or ‘Passion flower’ is fascinating and unique. It acquired its name from descriptions of its flower parts supplied in the Seventeenth Century by Spanish priests in South America who saw this unusual flower as a symbol of the crucifixion.
Each part of the flower holds symbolic meaning in recognition of the crucifixion story – the Passion of the Christ. Five sepals and five petals refer to the ten faithful apostles (excluding Judas and Peter). Three stigmas represent the three nails that held Christ to the cross, while five anthers represent his five sacred wounds. The tendrils of the flower are said to resemble the whips used in the flagellation, while the corona filaments, which can number in excess of a hundred depending on the flower, depict the crown of thorns.