Passionflower is a medicinal herb derived from the Passiflora incarnata plant. Traditionally, Native Americans used passionflower as a sedative. This herbal treatment may also help reduce symptoms associated with anxiety, drug withdrawal and difficulty sleeping. Before taking passionflower to help with your sleep problems, seek additional guidance from your doctor.
How It Works
Although the exact way in which passionflower works in the body isn't completely understood, health professionals with the University of Maryland Medical Center explain that this medicinal herb promotes relaxation by increasing a chemical in the brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA. Elevated brain levels of GABA reduce the activity of certain brain cells, which helps you feel more relaxed. Passionflower may be combined with more potent herbal treatments, such as valerian and kava, to reduce sleep problems. Despite the benefits associated with using passionflower to help with sleep problems, researchers need to perform more extensive studies in humans to examine the full effects of this herbal treatment.
Recommended Dosage
Usually, adults take passionflower as a medicinal tea approximately one hour prior to bedtime to promote relaxation and restful sleep. To prepare passionflower tea, allow 1 tsp. of dried herb to steep in 1 cup of boiling water for approximately 10 minutes. After straining the dried herb from the concoction, drink the full cup of medicinal tea. Alternate forms of passionflower include liquid extracts and tinctures. Adults can take 10 to 30 drops of passionflower fluid extract or 10 to 60 drops of a tincture up to three times daily.
Adverse Effects
When used as directed, passionflower normally doesn't cause adverse effects. The sedative effects of passionflower may cause mild side effects, however, such as dizziness, poor muscle coordination and confusion. If any of these side effects become severe or persist, seek care from your doctor.
Contraindications
Treatment with passionflower isn't appropriate for everyone. The safety of this medicinal herb has not been evaluated during pregnancy. For this reason, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding shouldn't take passionflower. In addition, avoid using passionflower for at least two weeks prior to undergoing surgery. This medicinal herb may enhance the sedative effects of surgical medications, such as anesthesia.
