Passionflower
Passiflora incarnata
Calming herb traditionally used for anxiety and insomnia, with evidence comparable to some anti-anxiety medications.
Passionflower is a climbing vine with beautiful flowers that has been used traditionally for anxiety and sleep. Research suggests it works through GABA modulation and may be as effective as some benzodiazepines for anxiety, but with fewer side effects. Often used for generalized anxiety and sleep difficulties.
Mechanisms of Action
GABA Enhancement
Increases GABA activity for calming effects
MAO Inhibition
May mildly inhibit monoamine oxidase
Recommended Dose
250-500mg extract (or 2g dried herb)
Optimal Timing
- For anxiety: as needed
- For sleep: 30-60 minutes before bed
Can be taken without food
Best Form
Standardized extract capsules
Alternatives: Tea, Tincture, Dried herb
Tea is traditional and effective for sleep. Extracts are more potent and consistent.
Duration
Minimum: 1 weeks
Optimal: 4 weeks
Cycling: Not required
Note: Can be taken with or without food. Tea form works well before bed.
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Anxiety Relief
Significant reduction in anxiety symptoms
Improved Sleep
Better sleep quality and duration
Drowsiness
May cause sleepiness during day
Avoid — may stimulate uterine contractions
Limited data; not recommended
Who Should NOT Take This
- Pregnancy (may stimulate uterine contractions)
- Before surgery (stop 2 weeks prior)
Drug Interactions
Additive sedative effects
Potential interaction due to weak MAOI activity
May have mild anticoagulant effects — may affect platelet aggregation or vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, altering anticoagulant efficacy
Possible Side Effects
Tip: Avoid driving; take before bed
Tip: Reduce dose
Tip: Take with food
Warnings
- May cause drowsiness — don't drive after taking
- Avoid during pregnancy
- Stop 2 weeks before surgery
Top studies from 36+ peer-reviewed papers
Bruni O et al. • Nutrients (2021)
“Currently available evidence suggests that herbal extracts may exert some of their hypnotic and anxiolytic activity through interacting with GABA receptors and modulating GABAergic signaling in the brain, but their mechanism of action in the treatment of insomnia is not completely understood.”
Key Findings:
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that plays a major role in controlling different vigilance states.
- GABA receptors are the targets of many pharmacological treatments for insomnia, such as benzodiazepines.
- Here, we perform a systematic analysis of studies assessing the mechanisms of action of various herbal medicines on different subtypes of GABA receptors in the context of sleep control.
- Currently available evidence suggests that herbal extracts may exert some of their hypnotic and anxiolytic activity through interacting with GABA receptors and modulating GABAergic signaling in the brain, but their mechanism of action in the treatment of insomnia is not completely understood.
Janda K et al. • Nutrients (2020)
“Passiflora incarnata may be helpful in treating some symptoms in neuropsychiatric patients.”
Key Findings:
- Passiflora incarnata may be helpful in treating some symptoms in neuropsychiatric patients.
- Published in Nutrients (2020)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Yeung KS et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2018)
“However, well-designed larger clinical trials are needed before these herbs can be recommended and to further assess their psycho-oncologic relevance.Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.”
Key Findings:
- Overall, 45% of studies reported positive findings with fewer adverse effects compared with conventional medications.
- Based on available data, black cohosh, chamomile, chasteberry, lavender, passionflower, and saffron appear useful in mitigating anxiety or depression with favorable risk-benefit profiles compared to standard treatments.
- These may benefit cancer patients by minimizing medication load and accompanying side effects.
- However, well-designed larger clinical trials are needed before these herbs can be recommended and to further assess their psycho-oncologic relevance.Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sarris J • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2018)
“Aside from this, future focus should involve the incorporation of more biomarker analysis, in particular pharmacogenomics, to determine genetic factors moderating response to herbal medicines.Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.”
Key Findings:
- Other encouraging herbal medicines with preliminary evidence include Curcuma longa (turmeric) in depression, Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) in affective disorders, and Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo) as an adjunctive treatment in Schizophrenia.
- Although depression and anxiety are commonly researched, many other mental disorders still require further prospective investigation.
- Although the previous review suggested increasing the adjunctive study of select herbal medicines with pharmaceuticals, this was still only found to sparingly occur in research designs.
- Aside from this, future focus should involve the incorporation of more biomarker analysis, in particular pharmacogenomics, to determine genetic factors moderating response to herbal medicines.Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Savage K et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2018)
“Collectively, the literature reveals preclinical and clinical evidence for various phytomedicines modulating GABA-pathways, with comparative anxiolytic effect to the current array of pharmaceuticals, along with good safety and tolerability profiles.Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.”
Key Findings:
- An open-ended search to 5 July 2017 was conducted using MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, and Cochrane library online databases and performed in a stepped format from preclinical to clinical investigations.
- Eligible studies must have had (a) in vitro evidence of GABA-modulating activity, (b) animal studies using anxiety models to test an anxiolytic effect, and (c) human clinical trials.
- Ten phytomedicines were identified as having preclinical investigations showing interaction with the GABA system, in addition to human clinical trials: kava, valerian, pennywort, hops, chamomile, Ginkgo biloba, passionflower, ashwagandha, skullcap, and lemon balm.
- Collectively, the literature reveals preclinical and clinical evidence for various phytomedicines modulating GABA-pathways, with comparative anxiolytic effect to the current array of pharmaceuticals, along with good safety and tolerability profiles.Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study Type Distribution
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This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any supplement.