Nootropic profile
Passionflower
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a traditional herbal sedative used for centuries to relieve anxiety, promote sleep, and calm nervous restlessness. Its flavonoids enhance GABA activity for gentle, non-drowsy relaxation during the day and restful sleep at night.
Best for
Educational only: this is not medical advice. Always check with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement.
What is Passionflower?
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), also known as Maypop, is a climbing vine native to the southeastern United States, Central America, and South America.
What it does for you
Community and editorial ratings, out of 5:
How to take it
- Standardised extract: 200–500 mg per day, standardised to flavonoid content (typically 3.5–4% vitexin)
- For anxiety: 200–400 mg of extract, 1–2 times daily
- For sleep: 300–500 mg taken 30–60 minutes before bed
- Tea: 1–2 g of dried herb steeped in boiling water for 10–15 minutes; 1–3 cups daily
- Tincture: 1–4 ml of 1:5 tincture, 2–3 times daily
Watch out for
- Side effects: Generally well-tolerated. Possible drowsiness, dizziness, or confusion at high doses. Rare reports of nausea and rapid heart rate.
- Drug interactions: May potentiate sedatives, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and antihistamines. The MAO-inhibiting alkaloids may interact with...
- Pregnancy: Contraindicated during pregnancy - harmane alkaloids may stimulate uterine contractions.
- Surgery: Discontinue 2 weeks before scheduled surgery due to sedative and potential blood-thinning effects.
- Species caution: Ensure you are using Passiflora incarnata specifically; other Passiflora species may not be safe for consumption.
The science, if you're curious.
- Chrysin and other flavonoids in Passionflower bind to the benzodiazepine site of the GABA-A receptor, potentiating GABAergic inhibition to reduce anxiety...
- Harmane alkaloids (harmine, harmaline) reversibly inhibit monoamine oxidase, preserving serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine levels and supporting mood...
- Some compounds may inhibit the reuptake of GABA into neurons, prolonging its calming effects at the synapse.
- Passionflower contains small amounts of GABA itself, which may contribute to its effects through the gut-brain axis.
Where to find it
- Dried herb: Aerial parts (leaves, stems, flowers) are used for teas and tinctures
- Standardised extracts: Look for products standardised to vitexin or total flavonoid content
- Tea blends: Commonly found in calming and "sleepytime" herbal tea blends
- Tinctures: Liquid extracts available from herbal supplement suppliers
- Supplements: Available as capsules and tablets, often combined with other calming herbs
The research
A double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation of the effects of Passiflora incarnata (passionflower) herbal tea on subjective sleep quality
Ngan A, Conduit R - Phytotherapy Research
Passionflower tea significantly improved sleep quality compared to placebo over one week in healthy adults.
Passionflower in the treatment of generalized anxiety: a pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial with oxazepam
Akhondzadeh S, Naghavi HR, Vazirian M, Shayeganpour A, Rashidi H, Khani M - Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics
Passionflower was as effective as benzodiazepines for anxiety without causing work impairment or sedation.
Frequently asked
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a traditional herbal sedative used for centuries to relieve anxiety, promote sleep, and calm nervous restlessness. Its flavonoids enhance GABA activity for gentle, non-drowsy relaxation during the day and restful sleep at night.
The main benefits people report from Passionflower are: Anxiety & Calm, Cognitive Enhancement, Focus, Mood, Sleep, Stress Relief.
Standardised extract: 200–500 mg per day, standardised to flavonoid content (typically 3.5–4% vitexin)For anxiety: 200–400 mg of extract, 1–2 times dailyFor sleep: 300–500 mg taken 30–60 minutes before bedTea: 1–2 g of dried herb steeped in boiling water for 10–15 minutes; 1–3 cups dailyTincture: 1–...
Side effects: Generally well-tolerated. Possible drowsiness, dizziness, or confusion at high doses. Rare reports of nausea and rapid heart rate.Drug interactions: May potentiate sedatives, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and antihistamines. The MAO-inhibiting alkaloids may interact with...Pregnancy:...
Chrysin and other flavonoids in Passionflower bind to the benzodiazepine site of the GABA-A receptor, potentiating GABAergic inhibition to reduce anxiety...Harmane alkaloids (harmine, harmaline) reversibly inhibit monoamine oxidase, preserving serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine levels and suppo...
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