Passion flower, also known as maracuja or passion fruit vine, is a tropical herb native to Central and South America that’s often used for stress reduction and sleep disorders. It has a pleasant herbal flavor and can be enjoyed in herbal tea or mixed into smoking blends as a relaxant or sedative.
The plant is not under any control in the United States or internationally, so it can be cultivated, bought and sold without a license or prescription. However, it’s important to always use this herb sparingly and with caution as ingesting or smoking it may produce side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, a body high, or even hallucinations.
Traditionally, passion flowers are dried and used for their health benefits as a tea or smokeable herb. They’re often added to cannabis to calm the effects of sativa strains or to help ease anxiety.
In fact, this is one of the most popular uses for this herb, and is believed to act as a natural antidepressant, promoting relaxation and helping to treat insomnia. It’s also been found to aid in easing the symptoms of withdrawal from nicotine and other substances, including alcohol and cigarettes.
Passion flower is usually smoked in combination with other herbs, as it’s not very potent on its own. It’s commonly mixed with lavender, chamomile or mullein to create herbal smoking blends. This is thought to improve the effectiveness and enhance the flavors of these herbs when smoked together.