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Below is an article that I wrote for the Botanical Research Institute of Texas's magazine, Iridos. Enjoy!

Is There a Cure?
Passionflowers may be the Savior


Introduction

Twenty-three percent of all deaths in the United States are cancer related deaths. This year, 564,800 people are expected to die this year resulting from cancer. Many researchers have dedicated their whole lives to discovering a cure for multiple deadly diseases such as, Leukemia, Parkinson’s disease, Cancer, HIV, and many others. But is there really a way to cure these diseases, or is it destine that a solution will never be found?


Herbal Medicine from Long Ago

The Ancient Aztecs found in southern Mexico, are well known for their innovative ideas in many fields including medicine. The Aztec culture has found ways to use the plants and herbs that are around them to cure illnesses. From to simple illnesses to more deadly ones, the Aztecs had solutions. One plant still used today that the Aztecs also used is the passionflower. Many people are familiar with Passion Fruit, which is a fruit of the passionflower plant. The Aztecs used the passionflower to as to ease pain and as a sedative. However, this plant may have more beneficial effects than just relieving pain.


What is Passionflower?

A legend behind passionflower explains that in 1620, a Jesuit priest discovered the passionflower. This priest gave it its name after the “Passion of Christ”. The five petals and five sepals of the flower are represent the ten apostles. The three pistils represent the Biblical nails of the cross. The purple corona of the flower represents the crown of thorns that Jesus Christ wore, and the stemmed ovary is said to represent the “lords goblet”. This only explains how the passionflower received its name. Scientifically however, the flower is named passiflora.

Passionflower grows in the in regions from southeast United States to Argentina and Brazil. Many species can also be found in the rainforests of Africa. Today, there are more than 350 species of passionflower that have been discovered and documented. Passionflower is a woody vine plant that also grows fruits known as passion fruits. The health benefits of passionflower are still being researched today, but researchers have found many already. Passionflower has anti-spasmodic properties, meaning that it relaxes the body’s nervous system and muscles. It is also used as a sleeping remedy. Some sleeping medicines use passionflower as a main agent. Certain flavonoids (secondary metabolites in all plants which are highly known for their antioxidant activity) found in passionflowers have shown much hope for the fighting of very deadly diseases. The further study of these flavonoids may lead to a new revolution in medicine.
Apogenin, Luteolin, Kaempferol, and Quercetin

Apogenein, luteolin, kaempferol, and quercetin, are four of the several flavonoids that are found in passionflower. Apogenin is a very common flavonoid that is found in celery and many other vegetables as well. It has antioxidant characteristics as well as anti-tumor properties. Apogenin also blocks the formation of uric acid, which forms gout. Artichokes, celery, and basil, are three vegetables, which contain the next important flavonoid, also found in a passionflower.

Luteolin also has antioxidant characteristics. This plays a critical role to the prevention of cancer. Luteolin prevents inflammation, promotes carbohydrate metabolism, and it also has anti-tumor characteristics. Quercetin also has anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties.

Kaempferol is what gives certain flowers their bright yellow color. Kaempferol is also used as a die for clothing. Unlike kaempferol’s brothers explained above, kaempferol works as an anti-depressant.


Research Shows Hope

Apogenin, Luteolin, Kaempferol, and Quercetin all have properties that are showing promises in possibly discovering a cure, or at least a natural treatment, for many different diseases. Even if researchers do not find a way to “cure” them, they may work as a substitute to more harmful treatments that exist today such as chemotherapy, and radiation treatments.

We will never truly know what the answer to a mystery is unless we ask questions for ourselves. As Albert Einstein said, “The only important thing is to not stop questioning.”