Passiflora Incarnata.
Syn.—Passiflora; Passion Flower.
P. E.—Fresh plant.
N. O.—Passifloraceae.
N. H.—Southern States, U. S. A.
Properties: Nerve sedative, hypnotic, antispasmodic.
Indications: In absence of determination of blood to the head and absence of a dirty and heavily coated tongue it is a safe and harmless soporific and will allay irritation of the brain and central nervous system.
Use: In derangements of the nervous system such as insomnia, chorea, convulsions and nervous headache it is a good remedy if indicated. It is of little value in wakefulness of pain; but a valuable remedy in wakefulness from exhaustion and excitement and wakefulness of infants and old people. In convulsions it serves a good purpose; especially in those of childhood when it should be given in large doses before the approach of the convulsion. The sleep produced by passiflora is restful and the patient awakens refreshed. This makes it a good hypnotic when indicated. In insomnia with flushed face and determination of blood to the head it should never be given. Where there is a dirty and heavily coated tongue its action is not satisfactory. Its range of usefulness is very limited and only beneficial where it is prominently indicated.
The Materia Medica and Clinical Therapeutics, 1905, was written by Fred J. Petersen, M.D.
