Passionflower

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is native to the United States and grows in the southern states, from Virginia to Florida and west to Texas. The herbal extract is made from dried flowers by percolation. The liquid extract is spray dried into a powder. Major constituents of passionflower are apigenin, luteolin glycosides, and cyanogenic glycosides.1 Traditionally, the flower has been a popular ingredient in both European and American herbal formulas for sleep and calming.1,2

Health Benefits

Passionflower may aid in relieving anxiety as well as generalized anxiety disorders.1-3 Passionflower may also be useful in helping individuals dealing with opiate withdrawal.4 It may also aid with relieving restlessness and irritability in individuals who have trouble falling asleep.5

Cautions

Passionflower ingestion is not recommended for pregnant and lactating women because it might cause altered consciousness in some individuals after consumption.2

References

  1. American Botanical Council. Accessed in July 2015. http://cms.herbalgram.org/expandedE/Passionflowerherb.html
  2. MedlinePlus. NIH. Accessed in July 2015. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/passionflower
  3. Akhondzadeh S, Naghavi HR, Vazirian M, Shayeganpour A, Rashidi H, Khani M. Passionflower in the treatment of generalized anxiety: a pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial with oxazepam. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2001 Oct;26(5):363-7. PubMed PMID: 11679026.
  4. Akhondzadeh S, Kashani L, Mobaseri M, Hosseini SH, Nikzad S, Khani M. Passionflower in the treatment of opiates withdrawal: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2001 Oct;26(5):369-73. PubMed PMID: 11679027.
  5. Krenn L. [Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata L.)–a reliable herbal sedative]. Wien Med Wochenschr. 2002;152(15-16):404-6. Review. German. PubMed PMID: 12244887.