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The Cayce Herbal 
 A Comprehensive Guide to the  
Botanical Medicine of Edgar Cayce
 
Passion Flower

Botanical Name: Passiflora incarnata

Common Names and Synonyms: Passiflora, Maypop, Passion Vine, Mayblossom, Apricot Vine

Background: Herbalists use passion flower as an antispasmodic (e.g., Parkinson's disease, seizures, and hysteria) and mild sedative for insomnia.  The sweet scented passion flower is native to the southeastern United States.  To the 17th Century Spaniards who were converting the New World to Christianity, the flowers on this exotic vine symbolize Christ's crucifixion and a blessing upon their task.  Five pale lavender to white petals, represented the five wounds and the purple fringed corona at the center of the flower represented the crown of thorns.  The flower, which blooms from  June until September, is followed by an yellow-orange oval fruit.  The dried fruit and flowers are used to relieve restlessness.
 

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Passion Flower in the Cayce Readings
  • Edgar Cayce recommended passion flower as a nerve sedative, anti-spasmodic, and intestinal cleanser.  From the Cayce perspective, passion flower can almost be considered as a specific for epilepsy.
Cayce Quotes on Passion Flower

4844-2
    Then, for the improvement in the physical, keep constantly those vibrations in system of the tea from Maypop, as has been given, for this constantly gives that incentive in plasmatic cell for brain and nerve development;

4678-1
    That treatment for the correction (see, this of the Maypop is for the nerve system and for the blood supply, as is hindered by the improper incentives through the connection between the glands at the base of the brain and the hypogastric nerve center, which governs the digestion and the assimilation in portions of the system) ...

543-2
    Also we would find that the use of the Mayblossom Bitters will be effective, will these be [if these will] taken in quantities sufficient to act as a cathartic.

1001-10
    We have the body here - this we have had before.  Now, in a preparation as will eliminate the attacks [seizures] entirely, prepare as this:  Because the attacks are farther apart, or because they are eliminated to where they become minor in nature, do not stop.  Take about five gallons of this, but make it a quart at a time.

                  Maypop Root................1 gallon.  This cleansed.

    Not the bark taken off, but cleansed - washed - cut up.  Add to this 2 gallons of distilled water.  Reduce by slow boiling to 1 quart of the water, see?  solution.  Then add 1 pint of alcohol - 85%.  [10/23/30 See same preparation, with variations, advised in 146-1.]  The dose will be - see, this should be filtered - that is, through filter paper, the solution - before alcohol is added.  The dose will be 3 to 5 teaspoonsful each day.

146-2  TEXT        M  13
    In the changes now, we would give - as an aid to the nervous forces of the body - those properties of the Mayblossom Bitters - teaspoonful at least twice each day.

2200-1
    These medicinal properties would be better in the Mayblossom Bitters, that act directly with the nerve system itself.  The dosage of this, as we would find, would be from three to four teaspoonsful each day.

3918-1
    In those properties that we would take, then, from within, would be found in that combination which has been given in Mayblossom Bitters, as an assuagement in the nerve forces of the system, aiding also in the DIGESTIVE forces - and these should be kept, through the manner of the diet, in an even keel for eliminations and assimilations.  As these are gradually rebuilded in system we will find the general forces of the body responding to that INNATE within, for the ABILITIES to be much lie latent.

4091-2
(Q)  Should Luminal be continued or increased during period of attacks?
(A)  We would find that if this can be REDUCED, rather than increased, and use more of the Mayblossom, this will reduce the attacks.

2253-1
    As we see, the nerve system, or nerve matter itself, is made up of vibrations from the system in its resuscitating or building forces.  These, as we find, may be had from the use of those compounds in the Mayblossom WITH those of the Ginseng, as will STIMULATE those impulses of the body.  These will also make for a better coordination in refraction and refractory reactions in, or between   cerebro-spinal and sympathetic system.

4798-1
(Q)  Is this condition curable?
(A)  As we have given, we would find it so.  With the proper  adjustments in the lumbar and sacral, with the proper  alignments so that the nerve reaction are NOT of that nature  as to PREVENT normalcy, with the developments through the  thirteenth to fourteenth year of age we should see the full termination of the attacks [seizures], provided the NERVE forces are builded properly.  Those properties given in the Mayblossom Bitters are not of a drug forming, nor are they of the nature as sedative producing - such as bromides and such natures - but STIMULATE the glands and the nerve system in such a manner as to produce a nearer NORMAL reaction in the system.

2253-2
(Q)  Should Mayblossom Bitters be continued?
(A)  The dose may be reduced, but we would continue until there are no reactions through that wringing of hands, or of continued nervousness - picking at things.

146-5
(Q)  Shall we continue Mayblossom Bitters?
(A)  As given, this would be well to continue - for it acts WITH the nervous system in building stamina in the nerve reflex.

2153-5
(Q)  Please advise just what the effect is of the Mayblossom Bitters, and what it is supposed to accomplish.
(A)  The passion flower effect is upon the sympathetic nervous system.  It is to relinquish the congestions that are produced in the attacks of incoordination at the base of the brain, through the flexus as indicated which is produced through the areas along the spine, and in the adhesions in the area indicated.

5232-1
    There will come 1 or 2 very severe periods with some of these changes.  When these occur we would administer a heavy fusion of Passion-Flower.  That would be the fruit, the leaves, the vine, a gallon by measure.  Put this in a 2-gallon container and fill with water.  Reduce by slow boiling to a quart and a pint.  Add sufficient grain alcohol to make a preserving of the solution; then this would be strained off, of course, or filtered off.

5386-1
    We would prepare and take also, to purify the alimentary canal, a gallon of the dried Passion Flower.  This should include the fruit, as well as the leaves and stem.  Put this in a gallon of distilled water and let it boil slowly.  Put this preferably in either glass of enamel ware which is not broken.  Reduce it until there is only one quart.  Add sufficient of the grain alcohol to preserve this, and then take a teaspoonful twice a day for the first five days.  Afterwards, of evening when the body is ready to retire, take one teaspoonful.

 

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