Passion Flower
About
Passion flower is a climbing vine that is native to the southeastern United States, and Central and South America. It was used as a food plant and in traditional medicine as a sedative. The above ground parts are used to make medicine.
Passion flower is taken by mouth for sleep problems (insomnia), anxiety, adjustment disorder, indigestion, pain, fibromyalgia, muscle cramps, diarrhea, relieving symptoms related to narcotic drug withdrawal, and reducing anxiety and nervousness before surgery.
Passion flower is also taken by mouth for seizures, asthma, symptoms of menopause, premenstrual symptoms, menstrual cramps, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), palpitations, irregular heartbeat, and heart failure.
Some people apply passion flower to the skin for hemorrhoids, burns, and swelling (inflammation).
In foods and beverages, passion flower extract is used as a flavoring.
In 1569, Spanish explorers discovered passion flower in Peru. They believed the flowers symbolized Christ's passion. Passionflower was formerly approved as an over-the-counter sedative and sleep aid in the U.S., but this approval was withdrawn in 1978 when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed the class and manufacturers did not submit evidence of safety and effectiveness.
How it works
The chemicals in passion flower have calming and sleep-inducing effects.
Effectiveness
Possibly Effective
AnxietySome research shows that taking passion flower by mouth can reduce symptoms of anxiety. In fact, it might work as effectively as some prescription medications.
Some research shows that taking passion flower by mouth can reduce anxiety before surgery when taken 30-90 minutes before surgery.
Concerns
Likely safe
Passionflower is LIKELY SAFE for most people when used in food-flavoring amounts
Possibly safe
It is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken as a tea nightly for 7 nights, or as a medicine for up to 8 weeks
Possibly unsafe
It is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in large amounts, such as 3.5 grams of a specific extract (Sedacalm, Bioplus Healthcare, Australia) over a 2-day period.Passion flower can cause some side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion. There isn't enough information to rate the safety of passion flower when applied to the skin.There isn't enough information to rate the safety of passionflower when applied to the skin.
Warnings
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Don't take passionflower if you arepregnant. It isPOSSIBLY UNSAFE. There are some chemicals in the passion flower plant that might cause theuterusto contract.Are there any interactions with medications?
Not enough is known about the safety of taking passionflower during breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and don't use it.
Surgery: Passionflower can affect the central nervous system. It might increase the effects of anesthesia and other medications on the brain during and after surgery. Stop taking passionflower at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
Moderate
Sedative medications (CNS depressants)Passionflower might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking passionflower along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.Some sedative medications include pentobarbital (Nembutal), phenobarbital (Luminal), secobarbital (Seconal), clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), zolpidem (Ambien), and others.