Plants of the Bible

Plants of the Bible in our everyday life

Sandy Roberts - From the Margaret Roberts book on 100 EDIBLE AND HEALING FLOWERS

Granadilla flower also known as the passionflower (Passiflora edulis)

To most people the granadilla vine grows anywhere in semi protected areas from between temperature regions 5-30 degrees, with its messy big leaves, rope like tendrils and egg shaped fruit. It is within the thick skinned fruit, that the juicy, yellow pulp filled with black seeds brings one multiple choices of use. The granadilla is a fascinating and delicious fruit used commonly in most homes today but this ancient plants’ leaves and flowers were more popular through the centuries to calm anxiety, soothe the nerves and used as a natural tranquilizer. A tea was made using the leaves and petals of the flower to quieten anxiety and fear, and for those suffering from insomnia and panic attacks this plant has proved to be particularly useful. There are about 400 different granadilla species in the world and a number of them have a similar set of action but the two most important granadilla varieties (which are not listed as alien invasive plants in SA) are the purple Passiflora incarnata and Passiflora quadrangle, as they contain serotonin which is one of the main chemical messengers needed within the brain. These granadilla’s are used extensively in homeopathic medication. Lastly the seeds act as a mild digestive and the tartness of the juice is a natural coagulant when added to dairy products which make it a perfect ingredient especially in ‘lemon meringue tart” as a mild thickener and flavour enhancer. You will now be wondering why it is a Bible plant? If you look into a granadilla flower you would see the intricate petals and core of this fascinating plant. The granadilla is unlike any other flower because of its many medicinal and culinary uses and its history is unlike any other flower for the weight it carries in symbology. In the early 16th century Spanish monks noted the importance of the flower of the granadilla, but it was a man called Monardes, who was a botanist and physician in the 16th century that recorded in writing the symbolic interpretation of the flower and so it became known as the ‘’Passionflower” as it was traditionally associated with Christ’s passion. Monardes described the flower in a biblical fashion and the description is as follows: The pillar or column at the center of the flower was said to represent the cross with the three stamens inside the column suggesting the Holy Trinity - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The five anthers under the stamens were thought to indicate Christ’s 5 wounds when nailed to the cross. Beneath the three stigmas is a small, swollen seed vessel, said to denote the sponge soaked in vinegar that was held up to Christ’s mouth. The three stigmas were thought to represent the three nails that pierced the hands and feet, and the calyx was said to represent the halo The corona of fine tendrils is usually purple; this was believed to depict the crown of thorns stained with Christ’s blood and the 10 petals surrounding the flower were said to indicate 10 of the 12 disciples (excluding Peter who denied him and Judas who betrayed him). The digitate leaves were thought to suggest the hands of the persecutors, and the long green tendrils along the stem the whips that lashed him. The colour Purple was thought to symbolize the robe thrown over Christ in mockery, and the white colour represents the purity of Christ’s love.

Hot insomnia remedy

1 granadilla flower (calyx removed) ½ cup granadilla pulp unsweetened 1/2 cup boiling water 1 teaspoon honey 2 cloves crushed Simmer all ingredients together for a few mintes before pouring through a strainer into a cup. Allow to cool and sip before bedtime.