Native to southeastern North America with more than 400 species, this herbaceous vine has beautiful flowers and leaves that are a pleasant-tasting remedy for insomnia, menstrual cramps, headaches, skeletomuscular pain, stress, shingles, anxiety, and pain from injury. It is helpful for lowering blood pressure, especially when it is aggravated by stress. In the early 1600s, Spanish Jesuit missionaries in South America gave the flower its name as they saw symbols of Christ's crucifixion or Passion in the plants' blossoms. The Cherokee used the roots as a poultice to draw out inflammation in thorn wounds, tea of the root for earache, and tea of the root to wean infants. The Houma people infused the roots as a blood tonic. Spanish conquistadores learned of the plant from the Aztec, who used parts of the vines to treat insomnia, and brought it to Europe. Modern herbalists prefer using the flower, young stems, and leaves for medicinal applications instead of the root.