How to Take Passionflower

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) has been used to treat anxiety, depression and insomnia. In Europe passionflower is taken with Valerian, another herbal supplement, as a remedy for insomnia. Passionflower has also been used to treat ADD, asthma, chronic pain, addiction, high blood pressure, menopausal symptoms (hot flashes) and for general anxiety conditions.In one study conducted by the National Institutes of Health, 60 patients were given 500 milligrams of passionflower or a placebo 90 minutes before surgery. Those given the passionflower showed less anxiety and the study authors concluded passionflower “reduces anxiety without inducing sedation.”

Instructions

• 1

  Consult with a physician trained in herbal medicine if you have insomnia, anxiety or restlessness and are interested in using passionflower as a sleep aid or as a way to reduce agitation. Your doctor or an herbalist is the best person to determine if you should take passionflower alone or in a combination with other herbal supplements.

• 2

  Avoid self-diagnosis. There are several categories of prescription drugs that should not be taken while you are also taking herbal supplements. Labels on herbal supplements do not always provide the contraindications for this.

• 3

  Educate yourself. Read the links below and other reputable sources of information to learn about the kinds of conditions passionflower has been used for and for which it has been clinically studied. Note that some studies are performed on animals only and the study may conclude that further study on humans is recommended to establish efficacy and or safety.

• 4

  Do not make the mistake of thinking that supplements derived from plants and herbs are not as potent and therefore not as potentially harmful as pharmaceutical drugs. If herbal supplements are taken in the wrong combination or at above the recommended dosages, toxicity and death are real risks.

• 5

  Understand that reported side effects include vomiting, nausea and rapid heart beat. Drowsiness and a mental slowness may also occur. If you are taking passionflower, exercise caution if you are driving or operating heavy equipment.

• 6

  There are many contraindications in taking passionflower if you are also taking MAOI drugs, antidepressants, SSRIs, benzodiazepines or with alcohol. There is risk of bleeding when taking passionflower with aspirin, anticoagulants, anti-platelet drugs, NSAIDS such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or Naproxen (Aleve). Contraindications may occur if passionflower is taken with anti-anxiety drugs, antibiotics, anticonvulsants or cancer drugs.