Passion Flower
Passiflora incarnata or passiflora incarnata L. is an herb and flower used historically to help with stress, restlessness, anxiety, and trouble falling asleep/insomnia.
Passion flower is the common name for the passiflora incarnata plant that grows on a vine. This plant is a beautiful flower that is known for its sedative and calming effects. It helps to quiet the mind and bring one back into the present by relaxing the central nervous system. This can make it helpful for anxiety, nervousness and having trouble sleeping.
The Passion flower is part of the passifloraceae species. These flowers grow on a vine and are sometimes referred to as passion vines. This family contains hundreds of different plants. Passiflora Caerulea is the blue passion flower and it may have some medicinal properties, but it is the P. incarnata subtype of the species from the passion vine that is most often used in medicine. The Blue Passionflower is native to South America while the passiflora Incarnata is found in North America and can survive in colder weather.
What does the flower look like?
The flower of the P.incarnata species is different from most flowers that you will come across. It can look like it is from another world. It grows on a vine and has five petals that are a bluish-purple-white. In the centre of the petals is a group of appendages growing off the flower called a corona.
Where the name comes from?
The name of this plant comes from a biblical place. People were enthralled with the uniqueness of this plant and felt that it was representative of something greater. They used the name passion for the passion of Christ believing the plant was intricately linked to their experience. Different areas will refer to the plant with a slightly different, but this underlying religious motive is present in whatever people refer to this plant as.
Does Passionflower produce fruits? Can you eat them?
Depending on the species of passiflora different fruit are produced. Passiflora Incarnata can produce a specific fruit that is often referred to as a maypop. May pop fruit can be eaten when they are ripe or can be used to make a jam. The fruit is non-medicinal.
The fruit from the p.ligularis species is the most popular fruit from the passiflora species, which is mainly found in warmer climates such as South Africa, South American and the Caribbean. It is commonly eaten as a fruit, as juice or as a flavour in cooking.
Other species within the passifloraceae family produce different fruits but none as common as the passionfruit.
Passiflora Incarnata as a medicinal plant
Health Canada indicates that passionflower is (traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve restlessness and/or nervousness (calmative) and as a sleep aid (during times of mental stress).
The British Herbal Compendium indicates passion flower for
- sleeping disorders
- restlessness
- nervous stress
- anxiety
While the German Commission E approved its use for
- nervous restlessness
Passion flower aids in relief from racing thoughts that are preventing someone from sleep. It does this by acting on the central nervous system, binding to the GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors that relax the body. It does this by
- inhibiting GABA reuptake: This prevents the brain from absorbing GABA so it increases the concentration of GABA in the brain. This means there is a more calming neurotransmitter and it helps us to slow down. It DOES NOT affect GABA release.
- binding to GABA-B receptors: binds to receptors in the brain that act as modulators that help to decrease anxiety and addiction withdrawal.
- non-binding to GABA-A receptors: does not bind to other receptors where drugs such as benzodiazepines and alcohol bind so that it does not have any addiction potential.
These various actions remind the body to slow down and decrease stress allowing the body and mind to start to feel sleepy. It is usually the dry extract of the plant that is used in herbal medicines.
Benefits for Sleep
- works as a relaxant by suppressing the nervous system
- sedating qualities
- boosts level of GABA in the brain - GABA lowers brain activity which helps to relax the body
- helps to shut off racing thoughts
Passion flower: Relaxation and Tonification
The passion flower plant is a very gentle flower that not only helps promote relaxation but it also helps to revitalize and restore the body. It is a nourishing plant for the nerves so that while it is helping the body to relax it is also building the body up so that it will be able to support itself soon.
In addition to its calming and restorative effects passionflower is also an antispasmodic herb making it a great herb for calming both the physical body and the mind. These flowers are ultimately a soother for the entire body promoting recovery from the stress of the day and promoting sleeping. It is a beautiful remedy for anyone who can't turn their mind off or who suffers from anxiety, fatigue, and lack of sleep. It does not have any major side effects, making it very safe.
Any questions about what is best for you always follow up with your health care provider.
What makes Passion flower different?
Passion flower aids in relief from racing thoughts that are preventing someone from functionally optimally. This includes anxiety, worry and fear. It does this by acting on the central nervous system, binding to the GABA receptors that relax the body. This reminds the body to slow down and decrease stress. It is a very safe flower that not only helps promote relaxation, but it also helps to revitalize and restore the body. It is a nourishing herb for the nerves so that while it is helping the body to relax it is also building the body up so that it will be able to support itself soon. In addition to its calming and restorative effects passionflower is also an antispasmodic herb making it a great herb for calming both the physical body and the mind. These flowers are ultimately a soother for the entire body promoting recovery from the stress of the day and promoting sleeping. It is a beautiful remedy for anyone who can't turn their mind off or who suffers from anxiety, fatigue, and lack of sleep.
Evidence
Passion flower is a well-studied plant that demonstrates efficacious actions for sleep, anxiety and overall relaxation of both. Some of the clinical trials involving passiflora are summarized below.
1. In a double-blind, randomized trial comparing the efficacy of passion flower extract with the pharmaceutical sedative drug oxazepam in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), no significant difference was observed between the two protocols. Oxazepam showed a rapid onset of action with significantly more problems relating to impairment of job performance.
- Overall Passiflora extract is an effective drug for the management of GAD, with a lower incidence of impairment of job performance compared to oxazepam.
2. A randomized, one-sided, blind clinical trial determined the efficacy of Passionflower in reducing anxiety during dental procedures. There was a significant difference in the anxiety levels before and after the Passionflower administration in the Passionflower group. Administration of Passionflower as a premedication is significantly effective in reducing anxiety during dental procedures.
3. Double-blind, placebo-controlled premedication in patients with preoperative anxiety. The NRS anxiety scores were significantly lower in the Passiflora group than in the control group. In outpatient surgery, administration of oral Passiflora incarnata as a premedication reduces anxiety without inducing sedation.
These studies clearly show both the sedative properties and anti-anxiety potential that this plant has.
Disclaimer
Pascoe Canada does not offer health or medical advice as we are not a healthcare practitioner. Please speak with your healthcare practitioner before beginning any program related to nutrition, diet, exercise, fitness, medical, and/or wellness. All content published by Pascoe Canada is developed through collaborating with licensed medical professionals and contributors. This includes text, graphics, images, and other material on the website, newsletter, and products (“Content”). This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The content does not substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please always do your own research on whether this is for you along with your healthcare practitioner advice. Always consult your healthcare practitioner prior to use specific herbs because you might have underlined conditions needs professional care. The content is general in nature and are subject to change. It is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.
Medicinal Properties of Passiflora
- anti-inflammatory
- antispasmodic
- sedative
- tranquillizing
- insomnia
- anxiety
- substance withdrawal
- nervousness
- stomach or menstrual cramps
- headache
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Medicinal Properties of Passiflora
- anti-inflammatory
- antispasmodic
- sedative
- tranquillizing
- insomnia
- anxiety
- substance withdrawal
- nervousness
- stomach or menstrual cramps
- headache
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Medicinal Properties of Passiflora
- anti-inflammatory
- antispasmodic
- sedative
- tranquillizing
- insomnia
- anxiety
- substance withdrawal
- nervousness
- stomach or menstrual cramps
- headache
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Medicinal Properties of Passiflora
- anti-inflammatory
- antispasmodic
- sedative
- tranquillizing
- insomnia
- anxiety
- substance withdrawal
- nervousness
- stomach or menstrual cramps
- headache
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
