The passion flower
plant was first ‘discovered' by
Spanish explorers in what is now
modern day Peru in the year
1569. The plant got its name not by
instilling amorous passion in these
explorers; rather they believed the
plant's flowers were symbolic of
Christ's passion and his approval of
their journey. [1]
The passion flower grows wild
in the southern United States and South America.
In the
southern U.S., it is commonly known
as the maypop, wild apricot, or ocoee,
which is a Native American Indian
name.
Passion Flower
is a well-known herb and is used
widely today because of its calming
effects on the nervous system.
With
anxiety and concordant symptoms at
an all time high in modern society,
passion flower is considered an
appropriate remedy
for relieving symptoms of
tension. This herb is
mainly found in combination products
with other calming herbs, including
hops, kava, valerian, and
chamomile. In the 1970's, passion flowers was
an approved over-the-counter
sedative and sleep aid, but was taken
off of the market in 1978. [2]
Parts Used
The medicinal parts
of the passion flower
consist of those growing above
ground (aerial parts), including the
stems, leaves and
the flowering tops. The medicinal
constituents of this plant are
numerous, and include flavonoids and
alkaloids. [3]
Passion Flower
Uses
The medicinal action
of passion flower has
been described as sedative,
hypnotic, anxiolytic, and
antispasmodic. [4]
Other research has shown that
passion flower can relieve pain as
well. [5]
Passion Flower exerts these effects
in several different ways; some
constituents bind to the
benzodiazapene receptors (so-named
because they were discovered as
binding sites to this type of drug)
in the central nervous system
leading to resolution of anxiousness
without memory or motor skill
impairment.
[6]
Other sources reveal the ability of
passion flower to decrease
aggressiveness, restlessness,
hypermotility (unable to stop or
slow down physical movement), and to
raise the pain threshold.
[7]
Other possible mechanisms of the
plant's action are detailed in the
literature.
[8]
Passion Flower
has been tested in specific
conditions relating to anxiety; a
combination product-containing
passion flower was shown to relieve
symptoms in people with the
diagnosis of adjustment disorder
with anxious mood,
while in generalized anxiety
disorder, passion flower was
comparable to a benzodiazapene
medication for treatment efficacy in
this condition. [9-10]
Furthermore, when incorporated into a
regimen for opiate drug withdrawal,
passion flower in combination with
clonidine was more effective at
decreasing certain symptoms (i.e.
anxiety, insomnia, agitation,
irritability) of opiate withdrawal
than just the drug alone. [11]
There are several other applications
of passion flower; these
include neuralgia (nerve pain),
seizures, spasmodic asthma,
nervousness, palpitations, high
blood pressure, and pain.
[12]
Other non-nervous system related
conditions for which passion flower
may be of use include stomach upset,
menopause symptoms, burns, and
hemorrhoids (topical
application). Outside of its use in the central
nervous system as a calmative,
passion flower appears to have some
antibacterial and antifungal
effects. [5]
Standard dosing of
passion flower is ¼ to 2
grams of crude dried herb taken
three times per day, or as a tea
with the same dose. The average
dosing is roughly 4 to 8 grams per
day. If taken in tincture form, ½ to
2 milliliters may be taken three
times a day.
|
Passion Flower Toxicities and
Deficiencies |
Side
effects: Commonly reported
side effects of passion flower
are dizziness, ataxia (slowed
movement) and confusion. Otherwise,
there are a few case reports of more
serious reactions (involving only
one patient per report) such as
altered consciousness, and severe
nausea with dehydration as a result.
[13]
General interactions (supplement,
herb, food, lab): There are no
known interactions with other foods
or laboratory tests. However,
certain herbs or
supplements that may be a problem
when combined with passion flower
include those with sedative
properties, as their combined
effects may be overwhelming. There
are many herbs with sedative effects
in use today. There is some small
theoretical evidence that passion
flower may affect platelet
aggregation (blood clotting) when
used with other anti-platelet
herbs. Similarly, there are many herbs with
this potential theoretical issue;
check with a physician if taking any
such herbs or supplements.
Drug
interactions: Any drugs that
act as central nervous system
depressants should be avoided with
passion flower because of potential
additive effects. [14]
These include allergy medicines or
others containing antihistamines, as
well as sleep and pain medications.
Disease conditions:
Passion Flower is not
known to interact negatively with
any particular disease conditions.
The following table lists various
products that contain a safe and
reliable source of Passion Flower:
|
Manufacturer |
Ingredient |
Amount |
US RDA |
Learn More |
|
Nature's Answer |
Passion Flower Herb
|
2 oz |
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|
Click Here
 |
