Not the fruit itself. The calming properties are in the rest of the plant. It contains alkaloids and flavonoids, substances that depress the central nervous system (CNS), the joint between the brain and the spinal cord, responsible for sensitivity and consciousness. Therefore, they act as painkillers and muscle relaxants. “Passion fruit leaf tea helps a lot to control anxiety, which is why it is indicated for people undergoing treatment for chemical dependencies. In addition, it reduces stress, fatigue and insomnia”, says botanist Sylvio Panizza. These substances even mitigate the symptoms of diseases such as asthma, as they activate breathing. They also slow the heart and dilate blood vessels, improving blood circulation in the brain, which relieves headaches of nervous origin and colic. “The passion fruit most used and studied for these purposes is Passiflora incarnata, common in the United States.
Here in Brazil, Passiflora alata and idulis are also used as medicines, but their properties are still being studied”, says pharmacologist Paulo Chanel Deodato de Freitas, from the University of São Paulo (USP).
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