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.