Passiflora incarnata of the Passifloraceae (passionflower) family

The Active Herbalist products with Passionflower: Peaceful Dreams Tea

History & Growing:

Native to southern US, Central and South America, Passionflower is a perennial vine that can grow up to 10 feet tall! It is cited as hard to start from seed unless scarified and stratified for several weeks but easy to grow once established. The flowing vines need something to climb, and will send out runners (something I always get excited by). This plant prefers sun to dappled shade. The vines should be harvested when the flowers begin to emerge before fruits appear. Insects, especially ants, are said to love the nectar found at the base of the flowers and leaves. The whirly, mesmerizing purple flowers are a true spectacle; the flowers and fruits produced by the plant can be consumed as well as the leaves.  Passionflower was apparently named by missionaries after the Passion of Christ: the eye-popping flowers feature 3 stigma representative of the 3 nails used to crucify Christ, 5 stamens representing the 5 wounds, while the 10 petals and sepals represent the 10 apostles; the white and violet colors represent purity and heaven.

Parts Used Medicinally:  Aerial portions (leaves, stems, flowers), fruits are edible (said to be somewhat sour in taste), roots may be used in some medicinal preparations

Ways to Consume Passionflower:

• Infusion, tincture, poultice/compress, tablet

Taste: Mild, earthy, slightly bitter/sweet

Energetics: Neutral to hot/cold, drying/moistening.

Actions:

• Anodyne
• Hypnotic nervine
• Antianxiety & antidepressant
• Antispasmodic
• Hypotensive

Organs & Body Systems:

• Nervous system
• Musculoskeletal system
• Respiratory system
• Cardiovascular system
• Reproductive system

Traditional Uses:

• Aztecs may have been the first indigenous peoples to use the herb. Spanish conquerors learned of the plant and introduced it in Europe.
• Native American use of passionflower is extensive and well recorded.
  • Traditional Algonquin peoples were cited as using this herb as a tranquilizer
  • The vines were cultivated for the fruit harvest. The fruits were eaten raw or boiled and made into a syrup. A beverage made by crushing the fruit and straining it was also common. The young shoots of the vine were also consumed as food, cooked with other greens as a vegetable.
  • Root Use: The roots were used to “draw out inflammation” from topical wounds or insect bites. The roots were also  used for earaches: first beaten and then combined with warm water to make a medicinal ear drop. A cold infusion of the herb was used for blood ailments and taken as a tonic. Babies were given a tea made from the roots to help wean
  • The plant was used to treat nervousness and hysteria
  • USDA article

Current Uses:

• Passionflower is a well-loved herbal ally for anxiety and insomnia, cited as safe enough for use in anxious children. Some herbalists may use it in appropriate doses to help teething infants or kids who can’t seem to keep a lid on their boundless energy! Parents may find it an ally for children who have experienced trauma and struggle to sleep due to stress related to the incident, or in youth that wake frequently in the night.
• Passionflower is often paired with skullcap to help restore and relax the nervous system, inducing sleep and improving sleep quality.
• Due to its anodyne and antispasmodic properties, this herb can soothe menstrual cramps and pain, along with the tension and irritability that often accompanies these symptoms.  This herb may be indicated in menopause for the same emotional patterns.
  • Along this same vein, passionflower may be used to help ease headaches, chronic stress, shingles, hacking nighttime coughing, and muscle strain/injury that is impacting sleep
  • For sharp/acute musculoskeletal pain, passionflower is a wonderful remedy – particularly when combined with other herbs with an affinity for the musculoskeletal system (meadowsweet, valerian)
• With its affinity for the respiratory system, passionflower can be used, as previously mentioned, to help relax a hacking cough, asthma, and possibly in chest tightness/ palpations that are often accompany acute anxiety
• Passionflower can help lower blood pressure. If stress is involved alongside of high blood pressure, passionflower may be a wonderful herb in addition to support of a qualified medical professional to monitor blood pressure levels.

When to reach for Passionflower:

• The whirled flowers are a unique representation of the plant’s superpower: relieving an overactive mind prone to circular thinking. Passionflower is particularly effective at insomnia as a result of replaying things over and over in your mind!
  • If you’re having trouble sleeping or struggling  with anxiety, try passionflower. *Sometimes plants aren’t the only answer.  If you are struggling with anxiety, please consider seeking professional and/or therapeutic advice.
• If you’re struggling with menstrual pain and cramping, muscle pain, or high blood pressure as a result of stress make passionflower a great herb
• “If you’re on a tear and red in the face, it may be time for passionflower tea.” – Maria Noel Groves, Body Into Balance

Studies:

• Passionflower has been researched to determine its relaxing, sedative properties.
  • A 2001 clinical trial found it to be as effective at relieving anxiety as oxazepam with fewer side effects. (Chevallier)
  • A clinical study in 2011 concluded that participants had improved sleep when consuming passionflower. (Chevallier)
  • A 2020 clinical trial observed sleep patterns in 110 participants, and determined that passionflower extract significantly improved total sleep time compared to a placebo. (Chevallier)

Dosage:

• 2 teaspoons dried herb per cup of water up to 3xs/day
• 1-5 ml tincture 1-3xs/day
• Fairly standard herb dosage

Planetary, Elemental, & Dosha Discussion:

• Like skullcap, due to its hypnotic, nervine sedative properties, purple flowers, and graceful flowing growing patterns, passionflower is an Air plant under Moon rulership
• Passionflower seems rather vata in nature, with its affinity for the nervous system with antispasmodic actions on cramping/tension. Its more neutral in tone and energy, which is helpful for those who are constitutionally hot or cold, and makes it a wonderful herb in formulas. This herb can be incredibly beneficial for vata and pitta doshas: for the nervousness and “up in their own head” of vata and the excitation/over-stimulated pitta. The lax kapha dosha may be aggravated by hypnotic passionflower, especially long term.

Contraindications:

• There are many species of Passiflora (hundreds) and some may be garden varieties with no medicinal value. It is important to source passionflower from a trusted source clearly identified as Passiflora incarnata
• Use caution in pregnancy
• Because it is sedating, use may not be appropriate midday, particularly if you struggle with feeling heavy, depressed or sluggish.  
• Use caution if you have a low or slow heart rate (known as bradycardia)

Citations & Recommended Reading:

• The Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, Andrew Chevallier
• The Healing Garden, Juliet Blankespoor
• Body Into Balance, Maria Noel Groves
• Evolutionary Herbalism, Sajah Popham
• USDA article