The stunning passion flower grows easily in the garden during warm months, and makes a lovely tea to help calm you down. In multiple human studies, passion flower has shown to help reduce anxiety. See the research listed below.
How to grow passion flowers…
Plant this vine growing beauty in the sun, and keep the soil well drained. Add a trellis to help the plant climb. Passion flowers like warmer climates, and will die off in below freezing weather. But do not worry! Heavily mulch the plant’s base, and it will sprout new shoots in the Spring.
No worries, making the tea is super easy!
Go out to your garden and cut a few flowers and leaves. Place the flowers in a vase, and use the leaves to make your tea. Use 1 tsp of dried leaves or 2 tsp of fresh leaves per cup of tea. If you did not have luck growing your own passion flower, the dried herb can easily be purchased from apothecary shops. To make the tea, pour 1 cup of the hot water over the leaves and steep for 5 minutes. Strain and drink. Passion flower leaves pair well with other herbs that help with insomnia including lemon balm, valerian, hops, and lavender. Consider making an herbal blend with one of these plants to make a calming tea.
Click and read more about the anxiolytic studies for these herbs:
Safety considerations with passion flower:
- Excessive use has caused vomiting, heart irregularity, and drowsiness (Natural Medicines, 2016).
- Avoid with pregnancy and lactation; insufficient evidence for safe use and may cause uterine stimulation (Natural Medicines, 2016).
- Avoid use with certain medications including: sedatives, anesthesia meds, CNS depressants, barbiturates, and lorazapam.
Natural Medicines (2016). Passion Flower Monograph. Retrieved in July, 2016. Retrieved from www.naturalmedicines.com
Human Studies on Passion Flower for Anxiety
- In a small study of 36 patients with anxiety, passionflower extract reduced symptoms without the impairment of job performance associated with oxazepam. From: Passionflower in the treatment of generalized anxiety: A pilot double‐blind randomized controlled trial with oxazepam.
- In a double blind randomized placebo control study with 60 patients, Passiflora incarnata reduced presurgery anxiety. From: Preoperative oral Passiflora incarnata reduces anxiety in ambulatory surgery patients: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
- A total of 60 patients receiving spinal anesthesia participated in a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study given passionflower orally, and had reduced anxiety. From: Passiflora incarnata Linneaus as an anxiolytic before spinal anesthesia.
- Multiple studies on the uses of herbs for mood disorders were reviewed. Promising herbs included: Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort), Piper methysticum (kava), Echium amoenum, Crocus sativus, Rhodiola rosea (golden root), Matricaria recutita (German chamomile), Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo), Passiflora incanata (passionflower), and Scutellaria lateriflora (blue skullcap). Herbal medicine for depression, anxiety and insomnia: a review of psychopharmacology and clinical evidence.
- In a double blind study with 41 healthy adults, there was improved sleep quality with drinking passionflower tea. From: A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled investigation of the effects of Passiflora incarnata (Passionflower) herbal tea on subjective sleep quality.
- Click here for more research on passion flower.
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
By: Kathy Sadowski, MS in Aromatherapy, RA (ARC), NAHA and AIA Professional Member, LMT
Last Updated: 8/10/18
This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use. These statements are not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any diseases. The information at this page has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Consult a Doctor before using herbs and essential oils if you have medical conditions, are taking medications, or have questions.
