The passion flower, scientifically known as Passiflora incarnata, is native to the southeastern United States and grows throughout Europe. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the passion flower has traditionally been used as a calming herb to treat conditions such as insomnia, anxiety and seizures. As with any medication, passion flower may cause some side effects. You should consult your physician prior to using this herbal remedy.
Neurologic Side Effects
The consumption of passion flower can produce some side effects that affect the nervous system. Passion flower can cause dizziness, confusion and ataxia -- loss of coordination or instability. Due to its calming effect, caution should be used when taking passion flower with other sedative medications as it may enhance the effect of the sedatives and cause a potentially serious medical condition.
Hematologic Side Effects
Passion flower can also have anticoagulant effects in your body. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, passion flower can thin your blood and increase time it takes for your blood to clot. As a result, caution should be used when taking passion flower with other blood thinning medications such as Plavix, Heparin, Coumadin and aspirin because the combination of passion flower with these medications could make your blood too thin and increase risk of bleeding.
Cardiac Side Effects
Although the incidence of adverse cardiac effects associated with the use of passion flower are rare, some heart rhythm irregularities can occur. Some patients may experience a sudden slowing of the heart. According to PubMed.gov, a patient treated at Canberra Hospital in Australia experienced nausea, vomiting and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia after a self administered dose of passion flower.
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