The purple passion fruit (P. edulis f. edulis) is mainly cultivated in Africa and India and the yellow passion fruit (P. edulis f. flavicarpa) in Peru, Brazil and Ecuador.
Parts used
Leaves, flowers, peels, stems and passion fruits.
Benefits of passion fruit
The juice but mainly the leaves of passion fruit contain the alkaloids, including Harman, which has blood pressure lowering, sedative and antispasmodic action. The passion fruit leaves are used in many countries as medicines. The flower of passion fruit has a mild sedative and can help to induce sleep. Passion flower has been used in the treatment of nervous and easily excited children, bronchial asthma, insomnia, nervous gastrointestinal disorders and menopausal problems. Passion flower is sometimes used as a mild hallucinogen.
Anti-cancer effect
Researchers at the University of Florida have found that yellow passion fruit extracts can kill cancer cells in vitro. The phytochemicals which are responsible for this anti-cancer effect are carotenoids and polyphenols.
Asthma symptoms
A study by Watson and his co-workers showed that the consumption of purple passion fruit peel extract can reduce asthma symptoms. They selected 42 patients who received an oral administration of purple passion fruit extract. The passion fruit extract supplementation reduced the wheezing by 75 percent and increased forced vital capacity.
Osteoarthritis
One study investigated the effect of purple passion fruit peel extract on symptoms in patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial and found that the flavanoid rich extract significantly reduced pain and stiffness.
Other facts
When the Spanish explored South America they discovered that passion fruit was used in native folk medicine as a sedative. When they brought the passion fruit to Europe the leaves were used as a sleep-inducing medicine. The name ‘Passion’ was given by Catholic missionaries in South America. The corona threads of the passion flower were seen as a symbol of the crown of thorns, the five stamens for wounds, the five petals and five sepals as the ten apostles (excluding Judas and Peter) and the three stigmas for the nails on the cross.
Other names
Passiflora, apricot vine, grenadilla, maracuja, maracuya
