Passifloraceae
Passionflower
Passiflora incarnata
The herb for circular thinking: passionflower quiets mental chatter, eases anxiety and helps those who lie awake replaying the day.
- Also known as
- Maypop, Purple passionflower
- Parts used
- Aerial parts
- Taste
- Bitter
- Energetics
- Cooling · Neutral
- Sourcing
- Cultivated
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Traditional use
Used by Indigenous peoples of the southeastern United States as food and medicine. Spanish missionaries named it for the Passion of Christ, reading the crucifixion in its flower.
Adopted by the Eclectics and later European phytotherapy for insomnia, nervous restlessness and seizure-like spasms.
Research
Comparable to oxazepam for generalized anxiety
ClinicalA small pilot RCT found similar anxiety reduction to oxazepam with less impairment of job performance.
Akhondzadeh S et al. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2001;26(5):363–367.
Reduces preoperative anxiety
ClinicalSeveral trials show reduced anxiety before surgery and dental procedures.
Key constituents
- Flavonoids (vitexin, isovitexin, chrysin)
- C-glycoside flavones; chrysin binds benzodiazepine receptors in vitro.
- Harmala alkaloids (trace)
- Present in very low amounts in P. incarnata.
Sourcing notes
Vigorous native vine; harvest flowering and fruiting tops in summer.
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