Passionflower

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) was used in traditional herbal remedies for anxiety, insomnia, and convulsion. During the early twentieth century, this plant was a popular sedative and calmative, and it continues to be used that way. While there is anecdotal evidence of the plant's medicinal uses, it is no longer contained in over-the-counter preparations in the United States today. In Britain, however, passionflower is used more frequently than any other ingredient in herbal sedatives, and in Germany, it is an approved tranquilizer.

Plant Description

Native to the tropical regions of North America, passionflower is now grown throughout Europe. It is a perennial climbing vine with herbaceous shoots and a sturdy woody stem that grows to a length of nearly 10 meters. Each flower has petals varying in color from white to pale red. Inside the petals are wreaths that form rays and surround the axis of the flower. According to folklore, the passionflower was given its name because its corona resembles the crown of thorns worn by Jesus during the crucifixion.

The passionflower's ripe fruit is an orange-colored, multi-seeded, egg-shaped berry containing an edible, sweetish yellow pulp.

Parts Used

The following parts of the passionflower are used.

• Flowers
• Leaves
• Stems
• Above-ground (aerial) parts

Medicinal Uses/Indications

Passionflower is primarily used to treat the following.

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Nervous gastrointestinal conditions

Passionflower is also traditionally used as a sedative, hypnotic, antispasmodic, and pain reliever for a variety of ailments, including nervous agitation, insomnia, hysteria, diarrhea, dysentery, neuralgia (pain along a nerve), generalized seizures, nervous tachycardia (abnormally high heart rate), spasmodic asthma, dysmennorhea (painful menstruation), and externally for hemorrhoids. This plant is also incorporated into homeopathic preparations.

Available Forms

Passionflower preparations are made from fresh or dried flowers and other above-ground parts. Both whole and cut raw plant materials are used. Flowering shoots, growing 10 to 15 cm above the ground, are harvested after the first fruits have matured and then either air-dried or hay-dried. Available forms include the following.

• Infusions
• Teas
• Liquid extracts
• Tinctures

How to Take It

The following are recommended doses for passionflower.

• Infusion: 2 to 5 g dried herb three times a day
• Fluid extract (1:1 in 25% alcohol): 0.5 to 1.0 ml three times a day
• Tincture (1:5 in 45% alcohol): 0.5 to 2.0 ml three times a day

Precautions

Passionflower should not be consumed in quantities higher than recommended doses. Taking too much passionflower could make you sleepy. Do not take it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Possible Interactions

Caution is advised when taking passionflower with medications that have sedative effects because passionflower may increase the effects of these substances. Examples of medications with sedative properties include most antihistamines and therapies for anxiety and insomnia.

Supporting Research

Aoyagi N, Kimura R, Murata T. Studies on Passiflora incarnata dry extract. I. Isolation of maltol and pharmacological action of maltol and ethyl maltol. Chem Pharm Bull. 1974;22:1008-1013.

Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs. Boston, Mass: Integrative Medicine Communications; 1998: 179-180.

Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, Ore: Eclectic Medical; 1998:109-110.

Capasso A, Pinto A. Experimental investigations of the synergistic-sedative effect of passiflora and kava. Acta Therapeutica. 1995;21:127-140

Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary. 25th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 1974.

Grieve M. A Modern Herbal. Vol. II. New York, NY: Dover; 1971:618.

Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company; 1998:1015-1016.

Kimura R, et al. Central depressant effects of maltol analogs in mice. Chem Pharm Bull. 1980;28:2570-2579.

Mabberley DJ. The Plant-Book: A Portable Dictionary of the Higher Plants. England: Cambridge University Press; 1987:434.

Newall C, Anderson L, Phillipson J. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-care Professionals. London, England: Pharmaceutical Press; 1996: 206-207.

Nicholls JM, et al. Passicol, an antibacterial and antifungal agent produced by Passiflora plant species: qualitative and quantitative range of activity. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1973;3:110-117.

Soulimani R, Younos C, Jarmouni S, Bousta D, Misslin R, Mortier F. Behavioural effects of Passiflora incarnata L. and its indole alkaloid and flavonoid derivatives and maltol in the mouse. J Ethnopharmacol. 1997;57(1):11-20.

Minghetti A. Neuropharmacological activity of extracts from Passiflora incarnata. Planta Med. 1988;54:488-91.

Tyler V. Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals. Binghamton, NY: Pharmaceutical Products Press; 1994:119.

Tyler V. The Honest Herbal: A Sensible Guide to the Use of Herbs and Related Remedies. 3rd ed. New York, NY: Pharmaceutical Products Press; 1993:237-238.

Copyright © 2000 Integrative Medicine Communications

The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.