An Alternative to Medication - One Can Use Passionflowers to Treat Anxiety

Using Passionflower to Treat Anxiety

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is an herb native to tropical and subtropical regions of North and South America; although, it can be grown as an annual from seed or from cuttings in regions further north than Zone 7. It is a vining plant that has tendrils that emerge from the leaf axils to cling to any support provided, such as a trellis or fence. The alternate leaves have 3-5 lobes. The blooms are unique and very distinctive, having been described by some as looking like a spaceship. The flowers give way to edible oval fruit (passionfruit) that tastes somewhat like a guava.
Passionflower has calmative and sedative properties. Native American Indians would drink a tea brewed from the herb to calm their nerves. An extract made from the flowers and fruits was used for centuries to treat anxiety, tension, fatigue, insomnia, and hyperactivity. (Passionflower used internally has a slight narcotic effect.)

Not a lot of research has been conducted in the United States on the health benefits of passionflower; although, what research that has been conducted indicates that passionflower can help to alleviate anxiety. Nevertheless, while studies continue to be conducted in the United States and England regarding the efficacy of this herb as a treatment for anxiety, herbalists on both sides of the ocean do prescribe passionflower, often in combination with such other calmative herbs as valerian or jujube seeds.

Individuals who grow their own passionflowers can brew a tea to calm their nerves. The recommended dosage is one-half to one teaspoon of the dried herb to one cup of boiling water. This tea should be drunk at night about one hour before going to bed. For more extreme cases of anxiety, an additional two cups of the tea should be drunk during the day. This regimen should be followed for several weeks in order to obtain the desired results. It is also recommended that the dosage not be exceeded, due to the fact that passionflower can cause extreme drowsiness if taken in too large a quantity.

Passionflower should never be taken in conjunction with other anti-anxiety drugs or any drugs that have a sedative effect, because it can cause the effect of these drugs to be more pronounced. For those people suffering from anxiety and nervousness who have not been prescribed such drugs, it is best that a primary healthcare professional and/or certified herbalist be consulted before use. This is particularly true if you are growing your own passionflower for use. (These professionals can help you to better determine the appropriate dosage for your particular ailment.) There are, however, supplements on the market that contain passionflower (along with other herbal supplements) that are generally considered safe. The caveat is that these should not be taken in conjunction with other anti-anxiety and/or sedatives, as previously mentioned. It is also best, when purchasing supplements containing passionflower, that they be from a reliable and proven source, in order to better guarantee quality. The instructions included with such supplements should also be followed to the letter.

As with any herbal remedy, you should first consult a physician/primary healthcare provider and/or certified herbalist. Passionflower also should not be taken by pregnant or nursing women.