Passiflora, known also as the passion flowers or passion vines, is a genus of about 500 species of flowering plants, the namesakes of the family Passifloraceae.
Contents
Uses
Passion flower is commonly used for anxiety disorders, trouble sleeping, opiate withdrawal symptoms, upset stomach, irregular heart rate, high blood pressure, burns, and hemorrhoids.
Benefits
The Passiflora flower family may be helpful in treating ailments we face today, such as anxiety, insomnia, and even stomach upsets.
Gastrointestinal Help
When it comes to stomach problems, another member of the Passiflora family, passifloraceae, is more effective than Passiflora incarnata. One study in rats showed passifloraceae to be helpful against ulcers caused by alcohol or aspirin. An ulcer is a rip in the stomach lining. Along with a decrease in ulcers, the plant was also found to have great antioxidant potential. Hopefully future studies will look at the affect this herb has on human subjects.
Soothes the Mind
Passiflora incarnta may provide relief from problems like nervousness and insomnia. It helps you mellow out by boosting the brain’s levels of a chemical called GABA, which lowers your brain activity. As such, it shows potential as a good sleep aid.
In one trial, people who drank an herbal tea containing passionflower over seven days saw improvements in the quality of their sleep. However, the benefits seemed to be short-term, and it may be most helpful to those with mild sleep irregularities.
In addition to sleep, one trial showed potential for passionflower as an anti-anxiety drug. Though the plant took longer to affect patients, it impaired their performance of work-related tasks less than oxazepam.
A more recent study of surgical patients showed decreases in stress and anxiety after taking passionflower.
Cautions
Common side effects of passion flower are
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- confusion
- nausea
- vomiting
- decreased blood pressure, and
- abnormal heart rate and rhythm
Interactions
None are recorded.
Other names
passion flower
References
Source: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passiflora#Traditional_medicine
MedicineNet, http://www.medicinenet.com/passion_flower_passiflora_incarnata-oral/article.htm
Healthline, http://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/calming-effects-of-passionflower