Plant Uses

Passionflower is a deeply calming nervine that acts on an overstimulated, restless, or irritated nervous system, helping quiet mental overactivity while relaxing the physical tension that can come with it. HerbRally (n.d.) describes passionflower as especially helpful when tension shows up as sleeplessness, muscle pain, or anxious thoughts. It is useful when anxiety presents with restlessness, circular thinking, nervous tension, heart palpitations, muscular tension, or difficulty sleeping because the mind and body cannot seem to settle. Passionflower has a particular reputation for the person who is exhausted but still mentally switched on, where repetitive thoughts continue long after the body is ready for rest (Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism, n.d.).

Its calming effects appear to involve the GABA system, although the exact mechanism is still being investigated. Integria Healthcare (n.d.) discusses effects involving GABA uptake and activity at both GABA-A and GABA-B receptors, while also noting that only some of passionflower's active compounds have been identified. Accurate Clinic (2017) also discusses passionflower's influence on the GABA system. Its effects are therefore likely produced by several constituents working together rather than one compound acting alone.

Passionflower's antispasmodic and anodyne qualities extend its usefulness beyond anxiety and sleep. HerbRally (n.d.) describes it as sedative, hypnotic, antispasmodic, and anodyne, while Integria Healthcare (n.d.) records traditional use for muscular tension, spasms, abdominal cramping, dysmenorrhea, neuralgic pain, headaches, and digestive complaints. This makes passionflower especially useful when emotional stress is also being expressed physically through tension, pain, constriction, twitching, or spasm.

Its relationship with sleep is especially interesting because passionflower may not act exactly the same way in every preparation. Integria Healthcare (n.d.) reviews a human study where tea made with 2 g of dried passionflower aerial parts in 250 mL of boiling water, infused for 10 minutes, improved subjective sleep quality after one week. The same source discusses animal research where a hydroalcoholic extract showed anxiolytic activity, while a water extract showed more sedative activity.

This does not mean an infusion will always make someone sleepy while a tincture will only reduce anxiety; individual response can vary and this difference has not been firmly established in humans. It does suggest that the preparation may influence how passionflower's actions are expressed. When sleep and deeper relaxation are the goal, an infusion may be preferred. When nervous tension, anxiety, or mental overactivity are the main concern, a tincture may be more appropriate. Both remain useful preparations for nervous system support.

Passionflower has also been researched for generalized anxiety, preoperative anxiety, ADHD, substance withdrawal, seizure activity, and several other applications. Integria Healthcare (n.d.) reviews small clinical studies involving generalized anxiety and ADHD, while Accurate Clinic (2017) also reviews research involving anxiety and other nervous system applications. Some findings are promising, but the amount and quality of evidence varies, so these uses should not all be treated as established clinical indications. Passionflower's strongest and most consistent role remains as a calming nervine for nervous tension, mental overactivity, restlessness, and disturbed sleep.

History and Folkloric Uses

Passionflower has a history of human use in the Americas that reaches back thousands of years, long before the plant received the name passionflower. Integria Healthcare (n.d.) describes archaeological evidence of passionflower use in North America during the Late Archaic period and records its use among Indigenous peoples, including the Cherokee and Houma. Early European travelers also observed Indigenous communities eating both wild and cultivated passionflower fruits. Accurate Clinic (2017) notes that Spanish colonists learned of its use for nervousness and insomnia from Indigenous peoples.

The Christian symbolism associated with passionflower developed after Spanish missionaries encountered the plant in the Americas during the 1500s. Its unusual flower was interpreted as a representation of the Passion and Crucifixion of Christ. Integria Healthcare (n.d.) describes the three stigmas as representing the nails of the cross, the five anthers as the five wounds, the five petals and five sepals as ten apostles, excluding Judas and Peter, and the purple corona as the crown of thorns. The Spanish called it La Flor de las Cinco Llagas, meaning the Flower of the Five Wounds.

Its name grew from this association. Passio refers to suffering and the Passion of Christ, while incarnata means “in the flesh” (Integria Healthcare, n.d.). The name therefore refers to the religious symbolism placed on the flower rather than romantic passion.

Passionflower was later brought to Europe, where it became widely cultivated and entered European folk and herbal medicine. Its use for nervousness, mental stress, anxiety, and disturbed sleep became well established, and passionflower eventually appeared in European pharmacopoeias and professional herbal monographs (Accurate Clinic, 2017; EMA, 2007).

Harvesting, Drying & Storage

Harvesting guidelines: Harvest the aerial portions of passionflower during the flowering stage, when the leaves are healthy and vibrantly green. Leaves and stems make up the primary medicinal material, although flowering material may also be included. Accurate Clinic (2017) notes that medicinal passionflower is generally collected during the flowering and fruiting period.

Drying tips: Spread the harvested leaves, stems, and flowering material evenly on a drying screen or rack in a dry, well ventilated location away from direct sunlight. Turn the plant material as needed so that it dries evenly and does not retain moisture. A dehydrator set at a low temperature may also be used. The leaves and flowers should feel crisp when fully dry, while the smaller stems should snap rather than bend.

Storage: Once completely dry, store passionflower in an airtight glass container in a cool, dark, and dry location. Protect the dried herb from light, excessive heat, and moisture to help maintain its quality. Check stored passionflower periodically for changes in color, aroma, moisture, mold, or other signs that the herb has begun to deteriorate.