Passion Flower got its name because the symmetry of the flower reminded someone of the passion of Christ. But one species of passiflora has been shown to boost Aphrodite's passion in lab studies.

Passionflower herb (from Passiflora incarnata) contains a chemical called benzoflavone. This compound slows the breakdown of steroids like testosterone and estrogen. Benzoflavone has restored sexual potency in older rats that were past their prime, and in animals exposed to a variety of drugs, including alcohol, nicotine, morphine, and cannabis.

Benzoflavone is also a relaxing compound that works on the same receptors as valium and xanax, although passionflower's benzoflavone is not associated with the dependency, impaired coordination and memory loss that is often seen with the pharmaceuticals.

Because benzoflavone blocks the aromatase enzymes that degrade steroids, bodybuilders have experimented with it as a natural ergonomic factor (along with related plant compounds apigenin and chrysin). This is often a dissappointment, as the benzoflavone in passionflower is much milder than a large amount of testosterone injected daily - competitive bodybuilding is not a level playing field.

Skullcap herb (Scutellaria) contains similar compounds as passion flower, and I prefer the taste of skullcap. Both relax and make a good alternative to alcohol for the bedroom pre-game show. Both herbs are available in capsule form as well as teas.

Passion flower fruit (one of the key flavors in Hawaiian Punch) is from a different species (Passiflora edulis), and it does not contain the flavones that raise testosterone and lower stress.

Passion flower and Skullcap work relatively slowly - it may take 4 to 7 days to notice a libido boost. But their anxiety busting effects are much quicker - usually within an hour.

Bibliography

Dhawan K.
Drug/substance reversal effects of a novel tri-substituted benzoflavone moiety (BZF) isolated from Passiflora incarnata Linn.--a brief perspective.
Addict Biol. 2003 Dec;8(4):379-86. Review.
PMID: 14690874 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Dhawan K, Dhawan S, Chhabra S.
Attenuation of benzodiazepine dependence in mice by a tri-substituted benzoflavone moiety of Passiflora incarnata Linneaus: a non-habit forming anxiolytic.
J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2003 May-Aug;6(2):215-22.
PMID: 12935433 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Dhawan K, Kumar S, Sharma A.
Beneficial effects of chrysin and benzoflavone on virility in 2-year-old male rats.
J Med Food. 2002 Spring;5(1):43-8.
PMID: 12511112 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Dhawan K, Sharma A.
Prevention of chronic alcohol and nicotine-induced azospermia, sterility and decreased libido, by a novel tri-substituted benzoflavone moiety from Passiflora incarnata Linneaus in healthy male rats.
Life Sci. 2002 Nov 15;71(26):3059-69.
PMID: 12408873 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]