Finding some passion in Thailand is very easy to come by, especially when it comes in the form of a fruit or flower! The passion fruit & flower grow profusely in the tropics and Thailand hasn’t been left out. Originally from the Americas, it was exported to Europe and took off as a major crop in many countries for both the delicious taste of the fruit and the medicinal benefits, especially of the flowers. Both the purple, Passiflora edulis, and the yellow, Passiflora flavicarpa, grow well in Thailand and both fruit and flower, flower known as Passiflora incarnata, can add to one’s healthy choices daily. Thailand has both sub-tropical and tropical areas; the purple is in the sub-tropical and is less acidic, a bit sweeter and has more flavor than the yellow which is found in the more tropical areas and is quite a bit larger with a very strong climbing vine. Another difference is the purple has black seeds while the yellow has brown. There are other names for this plant including granadilla, maracuya, liliko’i and the Thai name is mostly known as Sow wa rot.
The vitamin and mineral content of the fruit is high as is the fiber. Vitamin C, ascorbic acid, helps the body boost the immune system against free radicals and flu-like infections. Vitamin A and beta-carotene, a major flavonoid antioxidant, are essential for good eyesight. Vitamin A also helps with skin and lung protection. Passion fruit is also high in potassium which is a large component of body fluids and cells and also helps with blood pressure and sustaining a regular heart rate. Adding to this list there is iron, copper, magnesium and phosphorus. Passionfruit is 75% water. The fibrous part of the fruit helps with anti-cancer causing properties in the colon and in conjunction with the seeds, adds a “smooth move” to your days! Using passion fruit in many food items such as salads, yogurt, dips, spreads, desserts and drinks is a delicious way to incorporate the fruit into your diet yet the best way is always fresh off the vine and by itself. If the tang of the fruit is too tangy for you, adding it to your smoothies would be my choice, little or no sugar.
Passion flower, Passiflora incarnate, is mostly found in teas in combination with other herbs for relaxation, calming and sleep-inducing formulas. The passion flower, and its leaves, can be taken as a tincture or in capsule form also. Some of the known healing qualities are; insomnia, muscles cramping, anxiety, high blood pressure, as an anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic. The passion flower/leaves can influence an individual’s response to stress and should be seen as a way of building one’s ability to deflate stressful situations. All medicinal plants really need to be seen to be a “building” in the system or “growing”. Holistic health is not a “one capsule like a pill” will “fix” me kind of thing. A continued intake of medicinal plants is what makes them “work” in and on the system. Learning how to change your patterns to incorporate that herbal tea at night instead of late night tv or a sleeping pill is so much better for the body and mind. The habits you create for yourself on a daily basis become who you are. The ceremony of the de-stress pot of tea with passion flower/chamomile/hops/lavender/valerian/skullcap to name a few, can be very calming and meditative. Learning how to reprogram your brain to get into relax mode is the key.
Some interesting information on the passion flower/leaves is that it is being used to curb withdrawal symptoms to stop smoking cigarettes, marijuana, opiate and alcohol abuse. I thoroughly believe that by learning about the medicinal value of the food that we eat or drinks that we take, one will be more likely to choose healthy items other than destructive ones. Viewing “food as medicine” is a real way to begin to incorporate a healthier lifestyle and make you feel more in control of your choices.
I have been traveling on and off for many years and writing for Expat Life Thailand since June 2015, and intend to keep doing so! I enjoy learning about all the delicious fruits, spices, foods, flowers and vegetables on offer in beautiful South East Asia. It is a challenge when I go out to eat due to all the white rice/noodles/bread and added sugar. For me to have the widest range of knowledge possible of all the foods available to me here really helps me be able to narrow down my choices to choose what I know WILL BRING ME HEALTH. What can life be without our health? Not very enjoyable no doubt. So thank you for taking the time to read my articles, hopefully learn something from them or be reminded of something you already knew and then re-incorporating these things into your life. I wish you health, happiness and harmony as this month of June rings in a summer full of light, love and laughter!
