According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety is characterized by feelings of nervousness, difficulty sleeping, increased heart rate, sweating, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, and worrisome thoughts. Some people use plant-based remedies to reduce the symptoms of anxiety. Passionflower is one such herb. Consult a doctor or other medical professional before taking any supplement or medication.
History
Passionflower, known as Passiflora incarnata, was first used by the indigenous people of the Americas. It was later used in Europe as a "calming herb" according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). Some of the ailments traditionally treated with passionflower include insomnia, anxiety and seizures.
The Name
UMMC explains the passionflower plant gets its name from its appearance. Christians believe the plant looks like the crown of thorns worn by Jesus and named it after the passion of Christ.
The Plant
UMMC says the passionflower is a flowering vine native to the Americas and imported to Europe. The vine can grow to lengths of 32 feet and the flowers have five petals with five sepals. Some types of vines produce edible fruit. Flowers, leaves and stems of the passionflower plant are used for medicinal purposes.
Administration
MedlinePlus describes several manners in which passionflower is prepared for ingestion. Passionflower may be taken in dried form as a tincture or infused as a tea. A tincture is an alcohol infusion of the concentrated plant extract. The following doses are recommended: 0.5 to 2g dried herb taken by mouth; 1 to 4ml tincture by mouth; or 4 to 8g of dried herb in a tea. Regardless of the form used, MedlinePlus explains taking passionflower 3 to 4 times per day may decrease symptoms of anxiety.
Precautions
According to MedlinePlus, there is no safety research regarding the use of passionflower in infants and children. Some people may have side-effects such as drowsiness or allergies. Passionflower may interact with other herbs or medications. UMMC explains that passionflower should not be combined with blood thinners, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or sedatives or other drugs that cause drowsiness. Consult a doctor or other medical professional before taking any supplement or medication.
