Passionflower

Plant Part Used

Vine

Introduction

Passionflower, or maypop, is a common roadside vine in many areas of the United States. Several possible medical benefits make this common plant useful as a sedative, antispasmodic, and mild pain reliever.

Interactions and Depletions

Interactions

Dosage Info

Dosage Range

100-200mg (standardized extract), 2-3 times a day; 200mg (standardized extract) at bedtime for insomnia.

Tea: One cup, 2-3 times a day or before bedtime using one teaspoon of dried herb per cup. (1)

Tincture: 0.5 to 2 ml, 3 times daily. (2)

Most Common Dosage

100mg (standardized extract), 2 times a day for anxiety; 200mg (standardized extract) at bedtime for insomnia.

Tea: One cup, 2-3 times a day or before bedtime using one teaspoon of dried herb per cup.

Tincture: 0.5 ml, 3 times daily.

Standardization

[span class=doc]Standardization represents the complete body of information and controls that serve to enhance the batch to batch consistency of a botanical product, including but not limited to the presence of a marker compound at a defined level or within a defined range.[/span]

The most current available medical and scientific literature indicates that this dietary supplement should be standardized to 3.5% isovitexin per dose.

Reported Uses

Passionflower extracts have been studied for their potential ability to decrease anxiety and prolong sleeping time. Passionflower may also decrease pain in some instances and reduce muscle spasms. (3) , (4)

Passionflower has also been tested in combination with other sedative and anti-anxiety herbs like valerian. Findings suggest that passionflower may enhance the effectiveness of these other treatments. (5)

Toxicities & Precautions

Introduction

[span class=alert]Be sure to tell your pharmacist, doctor, or other health care providers about any dietary supplements you are taking. There may be a potential for interactions or side effects.[/span]

General

This dietary supplement is considered safe when used in accordance with proper dosing guidelines.

This dietary supplement may cause drowsiness. (6) Use caution when driving and performing tasks that require alertness.

This dietary supplement may increase the effects of alcohol.

Health Conditions

The root of this dietary supplement contains ingredients that are similar to those contained in anticoagulant medications. If you are taking this type of medication or have a bleeding or clotting disorder, talk to your doctor before taking this dietary supplement. (7)

Pregnancy/ Breast Feeding

To date, the medical literature has not reported any adverse effects related to fetal development during pregnancy or to infants who are breast-fed. Yet little is known about the use of this dietary supplement while pregnant or breast-feeding. Therefore, it is recommended that you inform your healthcare practitioner of any dietary supplements you are using while pregnant or breast-feeding.

Age Limitations

To date, the medical literature has not reported any adverse effects specifically related to the use of this dietary supplement in children. Since young children may have undiagnosed allergies or medical conditions, this dietary supplement should not be used in children under 10 years of age unless recommended by a physician.

Read More

  1) South Central America Herbs

References

  1. PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2nd edition. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company; 2000:574.
  2. PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2nd edition. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company; 2000:574.
  3. Kimura R, et al. Central Depressant Effects of Maltol Analogs in Mice. Chem Pharm Bull. (Tokyo). Sep1980;28(9):2570-79.
  4. View Abstract: Soulimani R, et al. Behavioural Effects of Passiflora incarnata L. and Its Indole Alkaloid and Flavonoid Derivatives and Maltol in the Mouse. J Ethnopharmacol. Jun1997;57(1):11-20.
  5. View Abstract: Bourin M, et al. A Combination of Plant Extracts in the Treatment of Outpatients with Adjustment Disorder with Anxious Mood: Controlled Study Versus Placebo. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 1997;11(2):127-32.
  6. View Abstract: Soulimani R, et al. Behavioural Effects of Passiflora incarnata L. and Its Indole Alkaloid and Flavonoid Derivatives and Maltol in the Mouse. J Ethnopharmacol. Jun1997;57(1):11-20.
  7. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines; A Guide for Health-Care Professionals. London:The Pharmaceutical Press;1996.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

in this scope
Malaysian Herbal Monograph​
Medicinal Herbs & Plants Monographs​
Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbs (Professional Data)
Herbal Medicines Compendium (HMC) - U.S​