Everything You Need to Know About

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

Botanical family: Passifloraceae
Parts used: Leaves, Flowers
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
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Overview and Health Benefits

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is renowned for its calming effects on the nervous system, making it a valuable remedy for anxiety, insomnia, and nervous tension. With its long history of use across various cultures, this herb is particularly celebrated for its ability to soothe the mind and promote restful sleep without causing drowsiness during the day. Its action is believed to gently quiet the mind, cutting through excessive mental chatter, and offering relief from conditions like generalised anxiety disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (Akhondzadeh et al., 2001; Akhondzadeh et al., 2005). Passionflower's antispasmodic properties further extend its usefulness to alleviating muscle cramps, menstrual pain, and gastrointestinal discomfort, where tension and spasms are involved. Modern research supports these traditional uses, highlighting passionflower's role in reducing the symptoms of anxiety and improving sleep quality without significant side effects (Movafegh et al., 2008).

Key Benefits:

  • Anxiety Relief
  • Improvement of Sleep Quality
  • Antispasmodic Effects
  • Support During Withdrawal
  • Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Passionflower has been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety (Dhawan et al., 2001), making it comparable to some conventional treatments but without the associated sedation or impairment of cognitive function. In a clinical trial, it was shown to be as effective as oxazepam in managing generalised anxiety disorder, with fewer side effects related to job performance (Akhondzadeh et al., 2001).

This herb has been traditionally used to promote restful sleep. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study demonstrated that passionflower tea improved subjective sleep quality in healthy adults, making it a gentle yet effective remedy for those experiencing mild sleep disturbances (Ngan & Conduit, 2011).

Passionflower is known for its ability to relieve muscle spasms, including those associated with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), menstrual cramps and coughs (McIntyre, 2019). Its calming effect on the nervous system also helps reduce spasmodic tension in the digestive and reproductive systems (Felter & Lloyd, 1898). Research has shown that passionflower’s antispasmodic properties can be attributed to its interaction with the GABAergic system (Nassiri-Asl et al., 2007). This interaction not only contributes to its antispasmodic effects but also provides protective benefits against seizures, further highlighting its therapeutic potential in managing conditions that involve involuntary muscle contractions (Nassiri-Asl et al., 2007).

Passionflower has been found to be beneficial in managing the symptoms of opiate withdrawal, particularly in reducing the mental symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia that often accompany the detoxification process. This makes it a valuable adjuvant in addiction treatment protocols (Akhondzadeh et al., 2001b).

Emerging research suggests that passionflower may be a useful alternative to stimulant medications for children with ADHD. In a pilot study, passionflower was found to be as effective as methylphenidate in managing ADHD symptoms, with fewer side effects like decreased appetite and anxiety (Akhondzadeh et al., 2005).

Safety

While passionflower is widely regarded as a safe and effective herbal remedy, certain precautions should be observed. It is generally well-tolerated, but in large doses, it can cause overexcitement and vomiting, particularly in children under four years old (Wood, 2009). Passionflower may also interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), potentially enhancing their effects due to the presence of harman alkaloids, which could lead to adverse reactions (McIntyre, 2019). Despite these concerns, no adverse effects on the human foetus have been recorded, and it is not contraindicated during pregnancy or lactation according to the American Herbal Products Association (Gardner & McGuffin, 2013). As with any herbal remedy, it is best to consult with a qualified medical herbalist before using significant amounts of passionflower, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition or are taking any prescription medications.

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Key Body Systems Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) relates to

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
Nervous system
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
Musculoskeletal System
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
Digestive System

Energetics

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
Cooling
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
Drying

Key actions

  • Anxiolytic
  • Sedative
  • Antispasmodic
  • Hypnotic
  • Analgesic
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

Key uses

Calming and sedative; helps alleviate symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, and nervous tension. Also to ease muscle spasms, neuralgia, gastrointestinal upset due to nervous origin and menstrual cramps.

Where to Find Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

Passionflower, a striking member of the Passifloraceae family, is a beautiful and easily identifiable vine renowned for its complex and vibrant flowers. The blossoms feature a unique combination of white, purple, and blue colours, with a central corona of delicate, filamentous structures that radiate outward, creating an intricate, almost mandala-like appearance. The plant's leaves are typically lobed into three or five parts, with a deep green hue, and release a subtle fragrance when crushed. Passionflower also produces a fruit known as maypop, an oval, greenish-yellow berry with a slightly spongy texture, containing edible seeds surrounded by a sweet-tart pulp. The species most commonly used in herbal medicine, Passiflora incarnata, is distinct from the commercially cultivated passionfruit, which comes from Passiflora edulis. Other Passiflora species, such as Passiflora caerulea and Passiflora quadrangularis, are primarily grown for their ornamental value.

This hardy perennial thrives in various climates and is commonly found in regions with warm, temperate conditions. It is native to parts of the Americas but has been naturalised in many other regions, including Europe and Asia, where it is often seen climbing along fences, hedgerows, and forest edges. Passionflower prefers well-drained soils and can grow in both full sun and partial shade, making it a versatile plant in both wild and cultivated settings.

In herbal medicine, the aerial parts of the plant—leaves, stems, and flowers—are most commonly used. These parts are harvested during the flowering period to ensure the highest concentration of active compounds. 

References

Akhondzadeh, S., Naghavi, H. R., Vazirian, M., Shayeganpour, A., Rashidi, H., & Khani, M. (2001). Passionflower in the treatment of generalized anxiety: A pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial with oxazepam. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 26(5), 363-367. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2710.2001.00367.x

Akhondzadeh, S., Kashani, L., Mobaseri, M., Hosseini, S. H., Nikzad, S., & Khani, M. (2001). Passionflower in the treatment of opiates withdrawal: A double-blind randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 26(5), 369-373. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2710.2001.00366.x

Akhondzadeh, S., Mohammadi, M. R., & Momeni, F. (2005). Passiflora incarnata in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. Therapy, 2(4), 609-614. https://www.openaccessjournals.com/articles/passiflora-incarnata-in-the-treatment-of-attentiondeficit-hyperactivity-disorder-in-children-and-adolescents.pdf 

Dhawan, K., Kumar, S., & Sharma, A. (2001). Anti-anxiety studies on extracts of Passiflora incarnata Linneaus. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 78(2-3), 165-170. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-8741(01)00339-7

Felter, H. W., & Lloyd, J. U. (1898). King's American dispensatory. Retrieved from http://www.henriettes-herb.com/eclectic/kings/passiflora.html 

Gardner, Z., & McGuffin, M. (Eds.). (2013). American Herbal Products Association Botanical Safety Handbook (2nd ed.). CRC Press.

McIntyre, A. (2019). The complete herbal tutor. Aeon. 

Movafegh, A., Alizadeh, R., Hajimohamadi, F., Esfehani, F., & Nejatfar, M. (2008). Preoperative oral Passiflora incarnata reduces anxiety in ambulatory surgery patients: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Anesthesia & Analgesia, 106(6), 1728-1732. https://doi.org/10.1213/ane.0b013e318172c3f9

Nassiri-Asl, M., Shariati-Rad, S., & Zamansoltani, F. (2007). Anticonvulsant effects of aerial parts of Passiflora incarnata extract in mice: involvement of benzodiazepine and opioid receptors. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 7, 26. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-7-26 

Ngan, A., & Conduit, R. (2011). A double-blind, placebo controlled investigation of the effects of Passiflora incarnata (Passionflower) herbal tea on subjective sleep. Phytotherapy Research, 25(8), 1153-1159. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.3400 

Wood, M. (2009). The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to New World Medicinal Plants. North Atlantic Books.