The Calming Power of Passionflower: A Natural Anxiety Remedy
Passiflora incarnata
📜Ancient Use
Passionflower, known for its beautifully intricate blooms, is native to South America, Australia, and Southeast Asia. 🌸It has been used therapeutically for centuries by various cultures, and has a history of use in North America, Egypt, Iraq, Turkey, Brazil, and India. Despite being geographically distinct, these cultures used passionflower in similar ways, primarily to alleviate anxiety, insomnia, and restlessness. 😌
🧠Relevant Biochemical Pathway
To understand how passionflower can decrease anxiety and promote calmness, let us first examine the mechanism of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI). Although they are not as commonly used now due to the rise of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), MAOIs were effectively used as antidepressants from the 1950s to 1970s.
Neurotransmitter Release: Mood-related neurotransmitters like serotonin (5-HT), dopamine, and norepinephrine are released into the synapse (the gap between neurons).
Reuptake: Normally, these neurotransmitters are reabsorbed, reducing their levels in the synapse.
Monoamine Oxidase (MAO): This enzyme breaks down excess neurotransmitters.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI): MAOIs block this enzyme, allowing more neurotransmitters to linger in the synapse.
Mood Enhancement: Increased neurotransmitter levels = stronger signaling = improved mood & reduced anxiety.
🌼Relevant Phytochemicals
Harman & Chrysin
Passionflower contains several key compounds, notably:
Harman: A harmala alkaloid that acts as a reversible MAOI (2). It helps preserve serotonin and norepinephrine, boosting mood. However, harman levels vary by species, and MAOI activity isn’t the sole contributor to its effects.
Chrysin: A flavonoid that interacts with GABA-A receptors, which are also targeted by benzodiazepines and alcohol. Animal studies suggest it may reduce anxiety-like behaviors (3,4).
Together, passionflower’s MAOI and GABA activity reflect mechanisms shared by modern pharmaceuticals—bridging ancient tradition with modern neuroscience.
📊Studies on Passionflower and Anxiety
A systematic review of nine human clinical trials confirmed the traditional use of Passiflora incarnata for anxiety. 📝 Most trials showed reduced anxiety levels, whether compared to placebo or benzodiazepines (5).
Below is a table summarizing 3 studies demonstrating the anxiolytic effects of passionflower:
The placebo-controlled trial confirms Passionflower’s anxiolytic effects. When compared to benzodiazepines, it provides similar anxiety relief without side effects like drowsiness, memory impairment, or job performance issues. Interestingly, memory impairment in the benzodiazepine group may have enhanced anxiolytic effects before a second surgery, but it also led to workplace difficulties when used for generalized anxiety disorder.
Below is the trial data comparing Passionflower extract vs. oxazepam for generalized anxiety disorder. By day 20, Passionflower’s effect on anxiety was equivalent to oxazepam. Benzodiazepines had a faster onset but caused more significant side effects, including job performance impairment (8).
💊 Combining Passionflower with Modern Medications
Due to its similar biochemical mechanism to benzodiazepines, one study suggests that Passionflower may help patients taper off benzodiazepines more effectively. Since benzodiazepines can be addictive, passionflower could serve as a supportive therapy for those needing to discontinue use after a prescribed period (9).
Another study found that adding taking passionflower in addition to SSRIs for generalized anxiety disorder led to greater anxiety reduction compared to SSRIs alone, with no additional side effects (10).
🛏️ Passionflower for Stress & Sleep
🧪A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with 65 participants examined the effects of 600 mg of Passiflora extract on stress and sleep:
Stress 😌: Significantly decreased by Day 15 and 30.
Sleep😴:
Duration increased from 5h15m ➡️ 5h57m.
Time to fall asleep dropped from 72 ➡️ 42 minutes.
Night awakenings reduced from 1.7 ➡️ 0.57.
Participants reported better mood, memory, and concentration. 🧘♀️🛌 (11).
🍵Another double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 41 participants studied the effects of Passionflower tea (2g of dried passionflower) on sleep:
The study found an improvement in sleep quality but no significant changes in total sleep time or sleep efficiency.
Interestingly, the placebo group received parsley tea, which has also been historically used for relaxation, potentially affecting the results (12).
⚠️Safety Considerations
✅Generally Safe: Passionflower is well-tolerated but has some potential side effects.
💊Antidepressants: As a reversible MAOI, passionflower carries a low risk of serotonin syndrome, but always consult your doctor if you're on SSRIs or other MAOIs.
😴Sedation Risk: Can increase drowsiness when combined with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other sedatives.
📏Dosing: Start at 500 mg/day; avoid exceeding 4–8 g/day.
🤰Pregnancy: Theoretical risk of uterine contractions—avoid during pregnancy.
🤢GI Side Effects: Mild nausea or upset stomach in some users.
❤️Heart Conditions: High doses may prolong QTc—not advised if you have arrhythmias or take QTc-prolonging meds.
📌 While passionflower is milder than pharmaceutical MAOIs, those on multiple medications should still consult a healthcare provider before use.
Passionflower🌸 vs Passion fruit🍈
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) and passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) come from the same genus but differ in their levels of active phytochemicals.
As detailed in this article, passionflower is prized for its calming effects and contains higher concentrations of compounds like chrysin and harman, which modulate GABA and serotonin activity to promote relaxation and sleep 🧠💤. Passion fruit, while mostly enjoyed as a sweet juice 🧃, also contains these compounds—but in lower amounts. As a result, passion fruit juice can offer mild anxiety relief and sleep support, though generally not as strongly as the medicinal flower.
✨Personal Experience
During my second year of medical school, I spent a month in Ecuador on a medical Spanish immersion trip. I lived with a local family and shadowed doctors in various clinical settings.
One evening, after a long and exhausting day—made worse by multiple transportation issues—I returned home feeling drained. The family’s grandmother noticed and offered me a glass of maracuyá (passion fruit) juice 🧃 and said it would help me feel better. At the time, I didn’t know much about medicinal plants, but I drank it out of politeness.
To my surprise, within an hour, I felt a noticeable improvement in my mood. Initially, I dismissed it as a placebo effect or simple hydration. But now, with a deeper understanding of passionflower’s phytochemicals, I realize that science is often just catching up to wisdom that has been passed down for generations.
References:
https://neurotorium.org/image/monoamine-oxidase-a-inhibitors-2/
Herraiz T, González D, Ancín-Azpilicueta C, Arán VJ, Guillén H. beta-Carboline alkaloids in Peganum harmala and inhibition of human monoamine oxidase (MAO). Food Chem Toxicol. 2010 Mar;48(3):839-45. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2009.12.019. Epub 2009 Dec 28. PMID: 20036304.
Rodríguez-Landa JF, Guillén-Ruiz G, Hernández-López F, Cueto-Escobedo J, Rivadeneyra-Domínguez E, Bernal-Morales B, Herrera-Huerta EV. Chrysin reduces anxiety-like behavior through actions on GABAA receptors during metestrus-diestrus in the rat. Behav Brain Res. 2021 Jan 15;397:112952. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112952. Epub 2020 Oct 2. PMID: 33017640.
Bounds CG, Patel P. Benzodiazepines. [Updated 2024 Jan 30]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470159/
Janda K, Wojtkowska K, Jakubczyk K, Antoniewicz J, Skonieczna-Żydecka K. Passiflora incarnata in Neuropsychiatric Disorders-A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2020 Dec 19;12(12):3894. doi: 10.3390/nu12123894. PMID: 33352740; PMCID: PMC7766837.
Movafegh A, Alizadeh R, Hajimohamadi F, Esfehani F, Nejatfar M. Preoperative oral Passiflora incarnata reduces anxiety in ambulatory surgery patients: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Anesth Analg. 2008 Jun;106(6):1728-32. doi: 10.1213/ane.0b013e318172c3f9. PMID: 18499602.
Dantas LP, de Oliveira-Ribeiro A, de Almeida-Souza LM, Groppo FC. Effects of passiflora incarnata and midazolam for control of anxiety in patients undergoing dental extraction. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2017 Jan 1;22(1):e95-e101. doi: 10.4317/medoral.21140. PMID: 27918731; PMCID: PMC5217504.
Akhondzadeh S, Naghavi HR, Vazirian M, Shayeganpour A, Rashidi H, Khani M. Passionflower in the treatment of generalized anxiety: a pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial with oxazepam. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2001 Oct;26(5):363-7. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2710.2001.00367.x. PMID: 11679026.
Zanardi R, Carminati M, Fazio V, Maccario M, Verri G, Colombo C. Add-On Treatment with Passiflora incarnata L., herba, during Benzodiazepine Tapering in Patients with Depression and Anxiety: A Real-World Study. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023 Mar 10;16(3):426. doi: 10.3390/ph16030426. PMID: 36986524; PMCID: PMC10056302.
Nojoumi M, Ghaeli P, Salimi S, Sharifi A, Raisi F. Effects of Passion Flower Extract, as an Add-On Treatment to Sertraline, on Reaction Time in Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study. Iran J Psychiatry. 2016 Jul;11(3):191-197. PMID: 27928252; PMCID: PMC5139955.
Harit MK, Mundhe N, Tamoli S Sr, Pawar V, Bhapkar V, Kolhe G, Mahadik S, Kulkarni A, Agarwal A. Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Study of Passiflora incarnata in Participants With Stress and Sleep Problems. Cureus. 2024 Mar 20;16(3):e56530. doi: 10.7759/cureus.56530. PMID: 38646244; PMCID: PMC11026993.
Ngan A, Conduit R. A double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation of the effects of Passiflora incarnata (passionflower) herbal tea on subjective sleep quality. Phytother Res. 2011 Aug;25(8):1153-9. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3400. Epub 2011 Feb 3. PMID: 21294203.
Images: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Passion_Vine_NBG_LR.jpg;https://www.flickr.com/photos/martinlabar/4953823346;https://www.rawpixel.com/search/passion%20fruitpage=1&path=_topics&sort=curated;https://freerangestock.com/photos/127134/close-up-of-a-glass-of-passion-fruit-smoothie.html
