Passionflower

Effects and Benefits

Core Identification

Common Names:
- Passionflower
- Passiflora
- Maypop
- Passion Vine

Latin Name: Passiflora incarnata

Category: Herb

Uses

Traditional Uses

• Herbal tranquilizer - Algonquin people of North America
• Treatment for insomnia, epilepsy, and hysteria - Traditional Mexican medicine
• Nervine tonic for calming anxious states - Early American and European herbalism

Modern Uses

• Anxiety relief - Calms nervous system without causing significant impairment | Research quality: Strong
• Key findings: A 2001 clinical trial found passionflower as effective as oxazepam (a benzodiazepine) for generalized anxiety disorder, with fewer reported side effects including lower incidence of impaired job performance

• Source citations: Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine; Bone, Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs; Mars, Home Reference to Holistic Health

• Insomnia and sleep disorders - Promotes natural sleep without next-day grogginess | Research quality: Strong

• Key findings: A 2011 clinical study found improvement in subjective sleep quality; considered one of the best sleep-producing plants for insomnia caused by mental chatter and overactive mind

• Source citations: Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine; Wood, Earthwise Herbal; Hoffman, Herbal Guide to Stress Relief

• Opiate withdrawal support - Helps manage mental symptoms during detoxification | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: Randomized double-blind trial showed passionflower plus clonidine superior to clonidine alone for managing mental symptoms of opiate withdrawal

• Source citations: Bone, Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs

• Pain relief - Reduces neuralgic and spasmodic pain | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: Traditionally used for toothache, period pain, and headaches; reduces pain associated with nervous overstimulation

• Source citations: Chevallier, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine; Wood, Earthwise Herbal

• Blood pressure and heart support - Calms cardiovascular stress response | Research quality: Preliminary

• Key findings: Combined with hawthorn, reduced heart rate at rest, diastolic blood pressure during exercise, and increased exercise capacity in heart failure patients
• Source citations: Bone, Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs

Active Compounds

Primary Active Ingredients:
- Flavonoids (apigenin, chrysin, rutin) - Bind to GABA receptors, producing calming effects; rutin provides cooling properties
- Amino acids - Support neurotransmitter function
- Cyanogenic glycosides (gynocardin) - Contribute to sedative action
- Indole alkaloids (trace amounts) - Presence not conclusively established but may contribute to effects
- Maltol and 2-phenylethanol - Volatile compounds that contribute to calming effects when inhaled

Dosage Information

Standard Dosage:
- Form: Dried herb infusion
- Amount: 1 teaspoon dried aerial parts per cup boiling water
- Frequency: Up to 1½ cups (300 ml) during evening for occasional sleeplessness; up to 3 cups daily for ongoing anxiety

Therapeutic Dosage:
- Form: Tincture
- Amount: 1 teaspoon (approximately 45-60 drops) with water daily
- Purpose: Anxiety disorders, chronic insomnia
- Duration: Safe for ongoing use; assess after 2-4 weeks

Maximum Safe Dosage:
- Daily maximum: Equivalent to 7g dried herb in single dose shown safe in studies
- Warning threshold: Avoid very high doses, particularly in pregnancy

Bioavailability Notes:
- Absorption factors: Well-absorbed as tea, tincture, or capsule
- Form considerations: Tincture allows precise dosing; tea provides ritual relaxation benefit; capsules convenient for standardized doses

How to Take It

Timing:
- Best time of day: Evening for sleep support; throughout day for anxiety (3 divided doses)
- With food or on empty stomach: Can be taken either way
- Specific timing notes: For insomnia, take 30-60 minutes before bedtime; stop all herbal teas 3 hours before bed to avoid waking to urinate

Synergies - What It Works Well With

Complementary Supplements:
1. Valerian - Classic combination for insomnia; equal parts make effective sleep formula | Enhanced sedative effect
2. Lemon Balm - Complements anxiolytic action; protects cerebrum from excess stimuli | Broader nervous system support
3. Hawthorn - Combined for cardiovascular-nervous system support | Reduced blood pressure, improved heart function
4. Skullcap - Fellow nervine that relaxes the over-anxious mind | Enhanced calming without excessive sedation
5. Hops - Traditional sleep combination | Deeper, more restful sleep

Avoidance - What NOT to Combine With

Supplement Interactions:
1. Kava - Both strongly sedating | Potential for excessive sedation

Drug Interactions:
1. Benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax, Ativan) - Additive sedative effects | Excessive drowsiness, impaired coordination | Severity: Moderate
2. Sleep aids (OTC and prescription) - Increases sedative effect | Enhanced drowsiness | Severity: Moderate
3. MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) - Theoretical interaction due to alkaloid content | Consult healthcare provider | Severity: Moderate
4. Anticoagulants - May have mild effects on blood clotting | Monitor if combining | Severity: Mild

Food Interactions:
- Alcohol - May increase sedative effects; avoid combining, especially when driving or operating machinery

Safety Information

Contraindications:
- High doses during pregnancy (standard doses appear safe)
- Use caution in children under 4 years (may cause paradoxical excitement - "causes what it cures")

Side Effects:
- Common: Drowsiness (therapeutic effect but can impair driving/machinery operation)
- Rare: Paradoxical excitation in young children; possible nausea at very high doses

Long-Term Use:
- Safety of prolonged use: Generally considered safe for ongoing use; no addiction potential noted
- Monitoring recommendations: Assess effectiveness periodically
- Cycle recommendations: Not typically necessary; can be used continuously as needed

Special Precautions:
- Surgery: Discontinue 2 weeks before scheduled surgery due to sedative effects and potential anesthesia interactions
- Pregnancy: Avoid high doses; consult healthcare provider
- Specific populations: Safe for elderly and children over 4 at appropriate doses; particularly gentle for hyperactive children

Primary Uses At-a-Glance

Primary: Insomnia, Anxiety, Nervous tension, Stress relief, Mental chatter/overactive mind

Secondary: Pain relief (neuralgic), Muscle spasms, Menstrual cramps, Hiccoughs, Blood pressure support (stress-related)

Sources

Local Library:
- Chevallier, Andrew - Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine
- Bone, Kerry - A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs
- Wood, Matthew - The Earthwise Herbal Volume 2
- Mars, Brigitte - The Home Reference to Holistic Health and Healing
- Bellebuona, Holly - An Herbalist's Guide to Formulary
- Lopez, Maria Transito - Medicinal Plants at Home
- Gladstar, Rosemary - Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health
- Hoffman, David - An Herbal Guide to Stress Relief
- Grogan, Barbara Brownell - Healing Herbs Handbook
- Tierra, Michael - The Way of Herbs
- Sams, Tina - Healing Herbs
- Connors, Martha - The Everything Guide to Herbal Remedies
- Miele, Nicolette - Runes for the Green Witch

General Knowledge:
- Commission E Monograph (Germany) - approves for nervous restlessness
- ESCOP recommendations - nervous tension, restlessness, irritability, difficulty falling asleep