Beautiful Plants For Your Interior
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
Passiflora incarnata
A beautiful climbing vine native to North America with a long history of traditional use by Native
American tribes and later European herbalists for anxiety relief and sleep support. Modern
clinical research confirms passionflower's ability to promote calm, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep quality through GABAergic mechanisms — without the sedative side effects of pharmaceutical anxiolytics.
What Is It?
Passiflora incarnata is a perennial vine indigenous to the southeastern United States and Latin America, recognized by its stunning purple and white flowers. The aerial parts — leaves, stems, and flowers —
contain the medicinal compounds used in traditional and modern herbal medicine.
Native American tribes including the Cherokee used passionflower as a calming herb and to treat insomnia long before European contact. European herbalists adopted it in the 19th century as a gentle anxiolytic and sleep aid, and it remains one of the most widely used calming botanicals globally.
contain the medicinal compounds used in traditional and modern herbal medicine.
Native American tribes including the Cherokee used passionflower as a calming herb and to treat insomnia long before European contact. European herbalists adopted it in the 19th century as a gentle anxiolytic and sleep aid, and it remains one of the most widely used calming botanicals globally.
How It Works
Passionflower's calming effects come primarily from its flavonoid content — particularly chrysin and other
apigenin-related compounds:
- GABA-A Receptor Modulation — passionflower flavonoids bind to benzodiazepine receptor sites on GABA-A receptors, enhancing the activity of GABA — the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. This produces anxiolytic and sedative effects through the same receptor system as anti-anxiety medications, but far more gently
- MAO Inhibition — mild inhibition of monoamine oxidase enzymes may contribute to mood-supporting
effects by preserving serotonin and dopamine levels
- Reduced Neuronal Excitability — overall calming effect on the central nervous system without significant cognitive impairment at standard doses
apigenin-related compounds:
- GABA-A Receptor Modulation — passionflower flavonoids bind to benzodiazepine receptor sites on GABA-A receptors, enhancing the activity of GABA — the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. This produces anxiolytic and sedative effects through the same receptor system as anti-anxiety medications, but far more gently
- MAO Inhibition — mild inhibition of monoamine oxidase enzymes may contribute to mood-supporting
effects by preserving serotonin and dopamine levels
- Reduced Neuronal Excitability — overall calming effect on the central nervous system without significant cognitive impairment at standard doses
Side Effects & Considerations
Passionflower has an excellent safety record as a traditional and clinical herb:
- Generally very well tolerated
- May cause drowsiness — avoid driving or operating machinery after taking
- May enhance effects of sedative medications and alcohol
- Not for use during pregnancy — may stimulate uterine contractions
- Not recommended during nursing
- Those on MAO inhibitor medications should avoid use
- Rare allergic reactions reported
- Should be discontinued 2 weeks before surgery due to sedative effects
- Start with lower doses to assess individual sensitivity
Typical Dosage Range
90mg – 400mg daily
Clinical studies use 90-400mg of standardized extract daily. As part of a multi-ingredient formula, passionflower works synergistically with other calming botanicals like lemon balm and chamomile.
For sleep, take 30-60 minutes before bedtime.
For anxiety, consistent daily use over 1-2 weeks provides cumulative benefits.
The 10-20mg doses in Troomy products
represent concentrated extracts contributing to the overall calming blend
Research Notes
- Ngan & Conduit (2011) — Randomized double-blind trial published in Phytotherapy Research found
passionflower tea significantly improved subjective sleep quality compared to placebo in healthy adults.
- Akhondzadeh et al. (2001) — Double-blind RCT published in Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics found passionflower extract as effective as oxazepam (a benzodiazepine) for treating
generalized anxiety disorder, with fewer side effects on job performance.
- Miroddi et al. (2013) — Systematic review in Phytotherapy Research confirmed passionflower's clinical
evidence base for anxiety reduction and sleep improvement across multiple study designs.
- Elsas et al. (2010) — Research in Phytomedicine confirmed chrysin's GABA-A receptor binding activity as the primary mechanism behind passionflower's anxiolytic effects.
passionflower tea significantly improved subjective sleep quality compared to placebo in healthy adults.
- Akhondzadeh et al. (2001) — Double-blind RCT published in Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics found passionflower extract as effective as oxazepam (a benzodiazepine) for treating
generalized anxiety disorder, with fewer side effects on job performance.
- Miroddi et al. (2013) — Systematic review in Phytotherapy Research confirmed passionflower's clinical
evidence base for anxiety reduction and sleep improvement across multiple study designs.
- Elsas et al. (2010) — Research in Phytomedicine confirmed chrysin's GABA-A receptor binding activity as the primary mechanism behind passionflower's anxiolytic effects.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.