Passionflower in the treatment of generalized anxiety: a pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial with oxazepam
Key Finding
Passionflower was as effective as benzodiazepines for anxiety without causing work impairment or sedation.
Plain-English Summary
This randomized, double-blind trial compared passionflower extract to the benzodiazepine oxazepam for generalized anxiety disorder in 36 patients. Participants received either 45 drops of passionflower extract or 30mg oxazepam daily for 4 weeks.
Results showed that passionflower was as effective as oxazepam in reducing anxiety symptoms, with both groups showing similar improvements on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. However, passionflower demonstrated a slower onset of action, with full effects appearing around week 7.
Importantly, passionflower showed a significant advantage in side effect profile. While oxazepam caused impairment of job performance in 44% of participants, passionflower did not affect work performance. Passionflower appears to work through GABA modulation without the sedation and dependence risks of benzodiazepines, making it a promising natural alternative for anxiety management.