Passion Flower is an effective natural relaxation supplement
Passion Flower
Updated Mar. 04th, 2022
Passion flower is a vine that is found along the roadside in many North American locations. It has been used traditionally as a sedative, reducing hyperactivity and anxiety. Passion flower’s chemical components, maltol and ethylmaltol relax areas of the brain and reduce muscle tension. They bind to the same receptors that are used by sedative medications. Passion flower can be used for stress, anxiety, insomnia, hyperactivity and nervousness.
Sedative
Passion flower’s chemical components, maltol and ethylmaltol relax certain areas of the brain and reduce muscle tension. Although the exact mechanism isn’t yet known, it is believed that passion flower helps to boost GABA levels in the brain, thus promoting relaxation. This allows passion flower to be used to treat anxiety and to help promote sleep in those with insomnia. For more information, please see our Anxiety and Insomnia articles.
Antidepressant
Interestingly, in addition to its sedating abilities, some species of passion flower have been found to contain constituents that act as MAO inhibitors, thus providing them with antidepressant properties much like pharmaceutical medications with the same action (eg. Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate). For more information, please see our Depression article.
Chrysin
One particular species of passion flower, called Blue passion flower (Passiflora caerulea) is the main source for a substance called chrysin. Chrysin has long been favoured as an estrogen inhibitor in body building circles, while more recent research has found it to be effective against cancer, cardiovascular disease and even HIV. For more information, please see our Chrysin article.
How can I take passion flower?
Dried passion flower plant can be made into a tea. Passion flower can also be purchased in capsules or as a tincture. Passion flower may be found in formulas for relaxing the mind and body, and for promoting sleep. The dose of passion flower varies depending on whether it is alone or in a combination formula, with doses ranging from 50-500mg daily in divided doses. It seems to work well when taken with other sedating herbs like valerian.
