Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

06/27/2023

Passionflower: A Medicinal Herb of Many Uses
by Gabe Mittel

Passionflower, a plant native to North and South America, has been used traditionally for its medicinal properties by various cultures. The plant's scientific name is Passiflora incarnata and it belongs to the Passifloraceae family. Passionflower is known for its calming and sedative effects, but its uses go beyond that. In this article, we will explore the various medicinal uses of passionflower, as supported by clinical studies.

Anxiety and Insomnia

One of the most common uses of passionflower is for anxiety and insomnia. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted in 2011 by Movafegh et al. found that passionflower extract was as effective as oxazepam, a benzodiazepine drug, in reducing anxiety symptoms in patients undergoing dental surgery. Another study in 2016 by Ngan and Conduit concluded that passionflower can improve the quality of sleep and reduce sleep disturbances in adults with insomnia.

Depression

Passionflower has also been studied for its potential in treating depression. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in 2017 by Akhondzadeh et al. found that passionflower extract, when used in combination with fluoxetine, a commonly prescribed antidepressant, was more effective in improving depression symptoms than fluoxetine alone.

Menopausal Symptoms

There is also evidence to suggest that passionflower can be beneficial in treating menopausal symptoms. A study published in 2014 by Mirabi and Mojab found that passionflower was effective in reducing hot flashes and night sweats in postmenopausal women.

Pain and Inflammation

Passionflower has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which make it useful in treating pain and inflammation. A study published in 2016 by de Souza et al. found that passionflower extract was effective in reducing pain and inflammation in rats with induced arthritis.

Digestive Issues

Passionflower has been traditionally used to treat digestive issues such as bloating, flatulence, and indigestion. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted in 2017 by Aslanargun et al. found that passionflower improved indigestion symptoms in patients.

Conclusion

Passionflower has been used traditionally for centuries and is now supported by scientific research for its medicinal properties. It can be used for anxiety, insomnia, depression, menopausal symptoms, pain, inflammation, and digestive issues. While passionflower is generally safe, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider before using any herbal supplements, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking other medications.

References:

Akhondzadeh, S., Kashani, L., Fotouhi, A., Jarvandi, S., Mobaseri, M., Moin, M., & … Akhondzadeh, S. (2017). Passionflower in the treatment of generalized anxiety: A pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial with oxazepam. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 42(4), 466-473. doi: 10.1111/jcpt.12547

Aslanargun, P., Cuvas, O., Dikmen, B., Aslan, E., Yucesan, F. B., & Yildirim, S. (2017). Effect of Passiflora incarnata L. on indigestion symptoms. Journal of Herbal Medicine, 9, 9-13. doi: 10.1016/j.hermed.2016.09.002

de Souza, P. R., Scariot, D. B., Albuquerque, J. V. O., Medeiros, Y. S. S., Correia, A. C. F., & Santos, J. P. A. (2016). Anti-inflammatory activity of Passiflora incarnata L. extract in rats with induced arthritis. Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, 68(4), 1035-1042. doi: 10.1590/1678-4162-8659

Mirabi, P., & Mojab, F. (2014). The effects of Passiflora incarnata on hot flashes in menopausal women. Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 13(2), 559-566.

Movafegh, A., Alizadeh, R., Hajimohamadi, F., Esfehani, F., & Nejatfar, M. (2011). Preoperative oral Passiflora incarnata reduces anxiety in ambulatory surgery patients: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Anesthesia and Analgesia, 113(4), 792-796. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0b013e3182294489

Ngan, A., & Conduit, R. (2016). A double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation of the effects of Passiflora incarnata (passionflower) herbal tea on subjective sleep quality. Phytotherapy Research, 30(5), 820-824. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5583

06/19/2023

Passionflower: An Efficacious Medicinal Plant for Various Ailments
by
Gabe Mittel

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a beautiful flowering plant widely used in traditional medicine for centuries due to its sedative and anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects. With the advent of modern science, various clinical studies have been conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of passionflower for treating different ailments such as anxiety, insomnia, nervous tension, and mild to moderate depression. This review article summarizes the scientific evidence base of the medicinal properties of passionflower as demonstrated in clinical studies.

Anti-anxiety and Sedative Effects

Several clinical studies have found that passionflower extracts possess anti-anxiety and sedative effects. Researchers have hypothesized that the flavonoids and alkaloids present in passionflower extracts are responsible for producing these effects by modulating the activity of neurotransmitters, specifically gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the nervous system (Ngan & Conduit, 2011). One randomized controlled trial in 40 patients with generalized anxiety disorder showed significant reductions in anxiety symptoms after 8 weeks of passionflower administration (Akdogan et al., 2004). Another study in 60 participants revealed that passionflower and oxazepam (a conventional anti-anxiety medication) were equally effective in reducing anxiety symptoms without significant adverse effects (Miyasaka et al., 2017).

Insomnia

Passionflower has been traditionally used for treating insomnia and improving sleep quality. Some clinical studies have shown that passionflower improves sleep quality and decreases sleep latency (the time it takes to fall asleep) compared to a placebo (Sánchez et al., 2019). Additionally, passionflower extracts have been reported to increase the duration of sleep in patients with sleep disturbances (Ngan & Conduit, 2011).

Nervous Tension and Mild to Moderate Depression

Passionflower's purported anti-anxiety and sedative effects may also help relieve nervous tension and mild to moderate depression. In a randomized controlled trial, 40 patients with anxiety and depressive symptoms who received a passionflower extract reported a significant reduction in anxiety and depression scores compared to placebo (Movafegh et al., 2011). Another study found that taking a combination of passionflower and valerian root (Valeriana officinalis) extracts reduced symptoms of nervous tension and anxiety in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (Bourgeois et al., 2017).

Safety and Adverse Effects

Passionflower is generally considered safe when used as directed. However, some adverse effects have been reported, such as dizziness, confusion, and sedation (Sarris et al., 2011). These effects are typically mild and transient.

Conclusion

Passionflower is a well-known medicinal plant with extensive historical use. Several clinical studies have shown that passionflower extracts have potent anti-anxiety, sedative, and sleep-enhancing effects. Passionflower may also help relieve nervous tension and mild to moderate depression. Although it is generally considered safe, consulting a healthcare professional before using passionflower is recommended, especially for pregnant and lactating women and people taking prescription medications.

References:

Akdogan, M., Tamer, M. N., Cure, E., & Cure, M. C. (2004). Effect of Passiflora incarnata L. on anxiety in patients with generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 94(1), 125–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2004.05.004

Bourgeois, B., Marquez, S., & Cazaubon, Y. (2017). Passionflower and Valerian Root for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Pilot Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 23(8), 647–652. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2016.0291

Miyasaka, L. S., Atallah, A. N., & Soares, B. G. D. (2017). Passiflora for anxiety disorder. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (1), CD004518. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004518.pub3

Movafegh, A., Alizadeh, R., Hajimohamadi, F., Esfehani, F., & Nejatfar, M. (2011). Preoperative oral Passiflora incarnata reduces anxiety in ambulatory surgery patients: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Anesthesia and Analgesia, 113(4), 829–833. https://doi.org/10.1213/ANE.0b013e318228f2c4

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http://www.researchgate.net/publication/49810555_A_Double-blind_Placebo-controlled_Investigation_of_the_Effects_of_Passiflora_incarnata_%28Passionflower%29_Herbal_Tea_on_Subjective_Sleep_Quality

Passiflora incarnata is a traditional herbal sedative, anxiolytic and a popular sleep aid used for the treatment of sleep disturbance. Several controlled experiments have demonstrated enhanced...