It is perfectly normal to feel worried or nervous some of the time, especially when you are facing an event or situation you find stressful. But, if you constantly feel uneasy and it is interfering with your ability to enjoy life, then you may have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety is often treated by combining cognitive behavioral therapy with medication. Some herbs, including passionflower, may also have anti-anxiety effects. Ask your doctor whether passionflower may be a useful treatment for you.
Properties
Passionflower, also known as maypop or fleur da la passion, is used as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments, including insomnia, epilepsy and anxiety. It is also used to alleviate the side effects of withdrawal from the tranquilizer benzodiazepine. It contains a number of active ingredients including alkaloid and flavonoids, although the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center notes that the components responsible for exerting this herb's therapeutic effects are unclear.
Administration
Passionflower may be taken as a tea, a liquid tincture or in tablets or capsules. RxList suggests taking 45 drops of passionflower liquid extract or a tablet containing 90 mg of this herb daily. However, the ideal dose may vary according to your age, general health and other drugs that you may be taking. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center adds that as passionflower is not an FDA-regulated medicine, the amount of passionflower found in supplements may not be accurately reflected on the label. If you are uncertain how much of this herb to use, get further advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
Effectiveness
The results of a double-blind randomized trial published in the October 2001 issue of the "Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics," show that passionflower is an effective drug for the management of generalized anxiety disorder. An analysis of data from 24 clinical studies evaluating the efficacy of herbal remedies in the treatment of anxiety, published in the October 2010 issue of the "Nutrition Journal," conclude that strong evidence exists to support the use of passionflower as an anti-anxiety treatment.
Considerations
Although passionflower supplements are natural products, it does not mean that they are free from side effects. RxList says that passionflower is likely safe for most people, but adds that it may cause side effects, including dizziness, confusion, nausea and vomiting. It may also increase the risk of bleeding, so do not take this herb if you suffer from a bleeding disorder or if you are due to undergo a surgical procedure within two weeks. Do not take passionflower if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
References
- University of Maryhttp://write.demandstudios.com/edit.php?articleid=4011860land Medical Center: Anxiety
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Passionflower
- RxList: Passionflower
- "Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics;" Passionflower in theTreatment of Generalized Anxiety: A Pilot Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial with Oxazepam; S. Akhondzadeh; October 2001
- "Nutrition Journal;" Nutritional and Herbal Supplements for Anxiety and Anxiety-Related Disorders: Systematic Review; S.E. Lakhan and K.F. Vieira; October 2010
