Passiflora: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications
Other name(s)
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Scientific name(s)
Passiflora incarnata
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Maltol
Isovitexin
Harmanol
Harmine
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Sleep Disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
The use of a tea prepared by steeping 2 g of the aerial parts of passiflora in 250 ml of boiling water for 10 minutes every evening, about an hour before bedtime for 7 nights, improves subjective assessments of sleep quality compared to placebo (parsley tea) in young adults experiencing slight fluctuations in sleep quality. Moreover, taking a complex containing 80 mg of passiflora, 300 mg of valerian, and 30 mg of hops orally at bedtime for 2 weeks seems to improve subjective sleep measures similarly to Zolpidem (an imidazopyridine class hypnotic) at 10 mg per night in individuals with primary insomnia. Finally, in a more recent clinical research conducted on adults suffering from insomnia, the use of passiflora extract at a dose of 60 mg each evening before bedtime for two weeks demonstrated an increase in total sleep time of about 23 minutes. However, this study did not show any significant improvement in sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, or the frequency of awakenings after sleep onset, compared to a placebo. These findings suggest that passiflora may be beneficial in managing sleep disorders.
Posologie
Oral: aerial parts
80 - 200 mg
dry extract
Synergies
Effects of Passiflora incarnata Linnaeus on polysomnographic sleep parameters in subjects with insomnia disorder: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study
A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Investigation of the Effects of Passiflora Incarnata (Passionflower) Herbal Tea on Subjective Sleep Quality
Efficacy and Safety of a Polyherbal Sedative-Hypnotic Formulation NSF-3 in Primary Insomnia in Comparison to Zolpidem: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Anxiety ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research shows that taking passiflora in amounts ranging from 90 mg to 400 mg, 2 times per day, reduces symptoms of non-specific anxiety compared to the baseline level. It has been demonstrated that the action of passiflora is comparable to benzodiazepines (anxiolytics) like Mexazolam or Oxazepam, although its action is slower (7 days compared to 4 for Oxazepam 30 mg). Interestingly, passiflora has shown its potential in treating preoperative anxiety.
Posologie
Oral: aerial parts
90 - 800 mg
dry extract
Passiflora for Anxiety Disorder
Preoperative Oral Passiflora Incarnata Reduces Anxiety in Ambulatory Surgery Patients: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
Assessment of Passiflora incarnata L for conscious sedation of patients during the extraction of mandibular third molars: a randomized, split-mouth, double-blind, crossover study
Herbal medicines as anxiolytics prior to third molar surgical extraction. A randomized controlled clinical trial
Passiflora Incarnata L.: Ethnopharmacology, Clinical Application, Safety and Evaluation of Clinical Trials
A Combination of Plant Extracts in the Treatment of Outpatients With Adjustment Disorder With Anxious Mood: Controlled Study Versus Placebo
Effects of Passiflora Incarnata and Midazolam for Control of Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Dental Extraction
Passionflower in the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety: A Pilot Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial With Oxazepam
Effects of Passion Flower Extract, as an Add-On Treatment to Sertraline, on Reaction Time in Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study
Passiflora Incarnata Linneaus as an Anxiolytic Before Spinal Anesthesia
Attention Deficit Disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
A small study explored the use of passionflower in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children. It included 34 children diagnosed with ADHD. They were divided into two groups for an 8-week treatment duration: one group received passionflower (Passipay™) at a dose of 0.04 mg/kg/day, while the other group received methylphenidate, a standard ADHD medication, at 1 mg/kg/day. The efficacy of the treatments was evaluated using assessment scores provided by parents and teachers. Interestingly, the results showed no significant difference in the improvement of ADHD symptoms between the children who received passionflower and those on methylphenidate. Moreover, side effects were less frequent in children treated with passionflower, with a lower incidence of anxiety and appetite loss compared to the methylphenidate group. These results suggest that passionflower could be a natural alternative for the treatment of ADHD in children, although further research is needed before drawing conclusions.
Posologie
Oral administration: aerial parts
0.5 - 2 mL
alcoholic extract
Passiflora Incarnata L.: Ethnopharmacology, Clinical Application, Safety and Evaluation of Clinical Trials
Herbal medicines in the treatment of children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): An updated systematic review of clinical trials
Stress ✪✪✪✪✪
The EMA recognizes the use of passionflower as a traditional herbal medicinal product for relieving mild symptoms of mental stress and aiding sleep. Regarding clinical studies, one study demonstrated that a complex containing 90 mg of passionflower, 50 mg of lemon balm, 90 mg of valerian, and 90 mg of butterbur (Petasites hybridus) taken three times a day for 3 days modestly reduced subjective anxiety scores during social stress tests compared to a placebo or no treatment in adult men.
Posologie
Oral administration: aerial parts
90 - 90 mg
dry extract
Synergies
Congestive Heart Failure ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research shows that taking a combination of passionflower and hawthorn flower extracts orally three times daily for six weeks increases the six-minute walking distance compared to placebo in individuals with mild heart failure.
Posologie
Oral administration: aerial parts
2 - 6 mL
alcoholic extract
Synergies
Nervousness ✪✪✪✪✪
Due to its anxiolytic and sedative properties, passionflower is recommended for relieving states of tension, agitation, irritability, and nervousness. The efficacy of these uses has been confirmed by the ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy).
Posologie
Oral administration: aerial parts
2 - 8 mL
alcoholic extract
Properties
Neurological
Studies indicate that passiflora acts by inhibiting the absorption of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at neuronal synapses while demonstrating an affinity for GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptors. Beta-carboline type alkaloids like harman, harmaline, and harmine present complementary beneficial actions on the central nervous system (CNS). These actions include the inhibition of monoamine oxidase enzyme, which stimulates serotonin production, and an agonist effect on GABA receptors. Animal research suggests that maltol, another constituent of passiflora, may induce a reduction in CNS activity, decrease spontaneous motor activity, and prolong sleep duration. At high doses, maltol also demonstrates anticonvulsant properties. Finally, Isovitexin and Vitexin have shown the ability to attenuate withdrawal symptoms in morphine-dependent animals, indicating action on GABA receptors. The synergistic interaction between flavonoids and alkaloids of passiflora offers beneficial effects in managing anxiety, seizure disorders, and potentially in treating withdrawal symptoms.
Usages associés
Anxiolytic
Studies conducted on animals have highlighted anxiolytic and anticonvulsant effects linked to the use of passiflora flower extracts. It appears that passiflora acts by inhibiting the absorption of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at neuronal synapses, while showing a particular affinity for GABA(A) and GABA(B) receptors. Some research suggests that the anxiolytic and anticonvulsant effects of passiflora may be comparable to those of benzodiazepines, medications recognized for their anxiolytic action. This similarity could be due to passiflora’s ability to bind to the benzodiazepine site on GABA(A) receptors. Among the active components of passiflora, benzoflavone is often considered responsible for these effects. However, it is also possible that other constituents such as chrysin and maltol contribute to these anxiolytic and anticonvulsant effects.
Usages associés
Sedative
Maltol, a component of passiflora though present in small quantities, seems to possess sedative and analgesic properties. Research conducted on animal models suggests that maltol may induce a decrease in central nervous system (CNS) activity, reduce spontaneous motor activity, and prolong sleep duration, especially when combined with barbiturates. At high doses, maltol has also demonstrated anticonvulsant activity in these animal studies. However, it is important to note that concentrations of maltol in standard passiflora preparations are probably insufficient to reproduce these effects in humans. Thus, while maltol contributes to the sedative properties of passiflora, the effectiveness and potency of these effects may vary and are not guaranteed.
Usages associés
Safety dosage
Adult from 12 years: 200 mg - 800 mg
Up to 800 mg per day of a dried passionflower alcoholic extract has been used safely for 8 weeks. Additionally, a tea made by steeping 2 grams of dried aerial parts of passionflower in 250 ml of boiling water for 10 minutes was used each evening for 7 nights without troublesome effects. The EMA recommends between 2 and 8 ml of solution with passionflower alcoholic extract.
Interactions
Médicaments
Benzodiazepines: moderate interaction
Due to its sedative action, passionflower could increase the risk of drowsiness from many medications.
Barbiturates: moderate interaction
Theoretically, passionflower may potentiate the effects of barbiturates. Barbiturates include amobarbital, butabarbital, mephobarbital, pentobarbital, phenobarbital, and secobarbital.
Precautions
Child from 3 to 12 years: use with caution
Children (3 to 12 years) under medical supervision only. Adult dose adjusted to body weight.
Breastfeeding woman: avoid
Reliable information is insufficient.
Contraindications
Pregnant woman: prohibited
The harman and harmaline alkaloids found in passionflower are thought to have uterine stimulating activity. It is unknown whether these constituents are present in passionflower extracts in sufficient quantities to have an effect.
