There are many ways to relax and promote sleep naturally. Passionflower may be one you haven’t considered — especially since its name suggests fervor, not calm.
Yet, this natural supplement has been used for centuries for its relaxing effects.
Passionflower: Its History
Passionflower is a perennial vine with a large exotic blossom, unique in its assortment of showy petals, stamens and stigmas, and a multitude of purple threads that project from its center.
Native to Central and South America, the genus Passiflora has almost 500 species growing throughout the world, some with edible fruit.
Passiflora incarnata, typically used in herbal supplements, is native to the southeastern United States, where it grows wild. Native Americans valued it as a sedative and narcotic.
Europeans were introduced to the plant in the 16th century by returning Spanish explorers, and have used passionflower in traditional medicine for centuries to treat insomnia, anxiety, heart palpitations, epilepsy, and pain.
Passionflower was first used in conventional medicine in the United States in the mid-1800s as a remedy for sleeplessness. From the late 19th century into the early 20th century, passionflower was a popular herbal supplement for followers of Eclectic Medicine, an extension of early American herbal medicine. It was officially recognized in the United States National Formulary from 1916 to 1936.
The plant is so well chronicled that it is included in national pharmacopeias — books that provide identification of compound medicines and are published by the authority of a government or a medical or pharmaceutical society — of France, Germany, Switzerland, and Egypt. Passionflower is written about in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, the British Herbal Compendium and the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, among other official sources.
Passionflower herbal supplements are made from all of the above ground parts of the plant, including the flowers, leaves, stem, and fruit.
How Passionflower Works to Induce Calm*
Passionflower is classified as a nervine relaxant, a plant-based supplement that has a relaxing effect on the body.* Many pharmacological studies have documented Passionflower’s sedative effects and support the use of Passionflower as a way to relieve stress and induce calm and relaxation*REF#227REF#228
However, no research has yet identified specific chemical compounds in the plant that explain its therapeutic activity.
One study done in 2011 provides early evidence that Passionflower extract may modulate Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)REF#229. GABA is a neurotransmitter that blocks specific signals in your central nervous system, slowing down your brain and creating a calming effect. This could be why Passionflower helps reduce feelings of stress, fear, and anxiety.*
In a 2017 study, designed to evaluate the effect of Passionflower extract on the circadian rhythms of mice, results indicated that the extract might affect neurotransmitters in the cerebrum and hypothalamus, including dopamine (a feel-good neurotransmitter) and 5-HT (a serotonin receptor that modulates mood). This study suggests that by promoting the release of dopamine, Passionflower may positively modulate circadian rhythms, which play a key role in regulating sleep-wake cycles as well as other physiological and behavioral systemsREF#230.*
Passionflower As a Support for Sleep*
Because it is a nervine relaxant, when Passionflower is taken as a supplement in the hours before bedtime, it is known to help calm an excited nervous system.* Passionflower can be taken as an extract in liquid form, capsules, or gummies.
Passionflower pairs well with other calming herbs to promote relaxation, including Lemon Balm, Chamomile, Ashwagandha, Reishi, and Skullcap.*
If you are pregnant or lactating, you should not take Passionflower.
Other Health Conditions Passionflower May Support
While we have no proof that Passionflower is effective in supporting the treatment of other health conditions, we have a centuries-long history of its use in traditional medicine for a wide range of issues, including:
- Stress Support*
- Foundational Support*
- Menstrual and Menopause Support*
- Heart Support*
Some pharmacological studies have been done to suggest the extract has promise in supporting the treatment of some of the above conditions.
Passionflower’s ability to help with heart support from its calming effects in periods of acute stress can have an adverse effect on heart health.
More research is needed to provide scientific evidence of Passionflower’s full capabilities as an herbal supplement. In the meantime, Passionflower provides hope to the many people who are seeking a gentle way to help with sleep and stress support.*