Ready to learn more about how passionflower benefits the body?
This beneficial herb comes from a climbing vine that’s found in places like Central and South America and the southeastern United States. It’s used in a variety of dietary supplements — from tinctures to shots — touted to relieve issues like insomnia and anxiety. Some species have also been used for treating stomach problems.
Passionflower is favored for its calming and soothing abilities, which can be appreciated by those who have anxiety or stress easily. While there are around 500 different species of passionflower, the one known for its calming benefits is the Passiflora incarnata species.
Need to relax? Passionflower may be for you.
Here’s a look at this medicinal sedative and how it can benefit you.
What is Passionflower?
Passionflower, also known as Passiflora incarnata officially, is a popular herbal supplement that’s been known to treat issues like insomnia, seizures, and anxiety. This beautiful vine with a bright purple flower is grown throughout Europe and southeastern parts of the U.S.
Passionflower has been used since the 16th century as a sedative to help people keep their calm. After it was brought to Europe, it became widely popular in European folk medicine.
It’s also used as a flavoring agent in certain foods and beverages. You may also see passionflower combined with other calming herbs — like lemon balm, hops, kava, and chamomile — for sedative effects.
What are Passionflower’s Benefits?
If you’re looking for a natural way to relieve anxiety without medication, passionflower may be one of the first herbal supplements to consider. Those who struggle with both anxiety and insomnia report it to be a helpful remedy. You may consider small doses at first to see how passionflower benefits your health.
A few ways you may benefit:
Relieves Anxiety
Passionflower supplements are thought to boost the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in your brain. This in turn can help your brain relax. Getting ready to go under for surgery? A study published in Anesthesia and Analgesia explored how passionflower’s sedative effect helped those scheduled for surgery. Patients who used it reported less anxiety than those who received a placebo.
Helps with Sleep
Can’t seem to shut off your brain and fall asleep? A passionflower tea or supplement may be able to help. One double-blinded, placebo-controlled study found adults who drank passionflower tea for a week straight noticed improved sleep patterns. If sleeping pills aren’t your first choice, an herbal passionflower drink could be a good first stop if you’re looking for a solid night of sleep.
Soothes the Stomach
If you’ve had luck with using the passionflower for anxiety and insomnia, you might also consider it for stomach troubles, too. The Passiflora foetida — also known as the “stinking passionflower”— and the species Passiflora serratodigitata could potentially help stomach ulcers. More studies are needed on humans, but it shows potential for ulcer management, according to studies reported in both the Indian Journal of Pharmacology and the BioMed Research International.
How Can I Take Passionflower?
Like most herbal supplements, you can take passionflower in a variety of ways. Whether you prefer a cup of tea prior to bed or liquid extracts and tablets, you can try it in multiple forms.
- Tea - In most health food stores, you can find dried passionflower to steep in hot water to make your own tea. If you’re not one for fussing over making tea, you can also purchase it prepackaged to make your relaxing nighttime routine easier.
- Supplement form - Like to keep it simple? Then a daily supplement option may be for you.
- Shot - Try our DE-STRESS shot, which is designed to calm the mind with its passionflower and Reishi mushroom ingredients!
- Tincture - You can purchase a tincture extract that’s created from the flowering herb (including the leaf, flower, and stem) to mix into water. Take it between meals. If you like to make your own, you can also DIY it. Give this passionflower tincture recipe a try!
Note: Always read the label of any passionflower supplement. In general, you’ll find that passionflower is considered safe and nontoxic. As with any herbal supplement, be sure to check with your medical provider or pharmacist first. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also consult their doctor prior to taking passionflower supplements.
Keep Calm With Passionflower’s Benefits
Keep calm and carry on with your day when you try passionflower.
If you need a daily calming presence, give it a try. Teas or shots are the tastiest way to consume it and are best if you don’t care for the flavor you would get in a tincture form. Additionally, if sleeping issues keep you from getting proper shuteye, you may consider pairing passionflower with valerian root. The duo together may also reduce your anxiety.
Whether you just want to get a good night’s sleep or try to stay calm in the next traffic jam, calling upon the powerful properties of passionflower may help.
Have you ever tried passionflower supplements? What was your experience? Let us know in the comments below!
Need a little Zen right now? Then it may be time to unwind with our newest DE-STRESS shot. This shot contains ingredients to calm your mind, like passionflower and Reishi mushroom. If you’re looking for a good night’s sleep, this shot will help you go out like a light in no time.