Local News
Community Lens for Dec. 28
Connie Beckham sent this photo of a passionflower. ‘“Our family has enjoyed this passion flower vine for many years,” she wrote. “Not only is the blossom beautiful, the leaves are a meal for the Fritillary butterfly caterpillar. When the chrysalis opens we then watch the butterflies have a meal on our colorful zennias.” Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) was used traditionally in the Americas and later in Europe as a calming herb for anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and hysteria. It is still used today to treat anxiety and insomnia. Scientists believe passionflower works by increasing levels of a chemical called gamma aminobutyric acid in the brain. GABA lowers the activity of some brain cells, making you feel more relaxed.
By Arlinda Smith Broady
Dec 27, 2017Calling amateur photographers!
Have you taken a great picture that you’d like to share with the world? One with action, great lighting and/or interesting subjects? E-mail it to communitynews@ajc.com. Please no selfies, for-profit promotional pics, group shots or anything you wouldn’t want your grandma to see.
About the Author
A Midwesterner by birth, but a Southerner by heritage, Arlinda Smith Broady has a combination of solid values, easy-going charm and unrelenting thirst for knowledge that makes her a not only a dedicated journalist, but a compassionate community member. She seeks truth and justice, but is just as eager to spread good news and share a witty story.
