Passionflower: Anxiety tamer and sleep muse

Herb at a glance

• Botanical name: Passiflora incarnata (most common medicinal variety, mainly native to North America), Passiflora caerula (variety pictured, mainly native to South America)
  

• Common names: Passionflower, Maypop, Passion vine, Apricot vine

  
  

• Plant family: Passifloraceae

• Known for: Stress relief, anxiety reduction, sleep support

• Prep forms: Tea, tincture, extract, capsule

• Parts used: Aerial parts

• Growth habit: Perennial vine

A remedy for a racing mind

Imagine it’s 2 a.m. and your mind won’t shut up. You’re ruminating over past events, replaying conversations, planning tomorrow, worrying about nothing and everything.

This is where passionflower shines.

Passionflower’s wild, spiraling vines and intricate blooms mimic the chaos of an overworked mind. Traditionally used to calm nerves and ease insomnia, this herb provides a soft landing when stress spins out of control.

In a world that runs on caffeine and overcommitment, passionflower is an important tool for herbalists. Perfect for winding down in the evening, easing anxious tension, or supporting deep rest.

What’s inside: Key constituents

• Flavonoids (e.g., Vitexin, Isovitexin): Calm the nervous system and help soothe anxiety and mild insomnia.

• Alkaloids (e.g., Harman, Harmine): Support relaxation by gently influencing neurotransmitters involved in mood and sleep.

• GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid): Adds to the calming effects by naturally supporting the body’s “relaxation” signals.

  
  

• Glycosides: Contribute to the plant’s overall effect in easing nervous tension.

  
  

• Volatile oils (trace amounts): Provide gentle aromatic action and mild sedative properties.

Applications in herbal traditions

Primary Actions

• Nervine (calming and nourishing to the nervous system)

• Sedative (relaxing, sedating effect)

• Anxiolytic (anxiety reducing)

• Hypotensive (can lower blood pressure)

• Antispasmodic (reduces spasming and muscle tension)

• Analgesic (mild pain reliever)

  
  

Systems Supported

• Nervous system: Passionflower may ease nervous tension, anxiety, and sleeplessness.

• Digestive system: Useful when digestive discomfort is linked to stress (e.g., upset stomach, spasms).

• Cardiovascular system: May help reduce mild palpitations, and high blood pressure.

• Musculoskeletal system: Soothes muscle cramps and minor pains.

• Endocrine system: By promoting sleep and relaxation, it indirectly supports hormone balance and adrenal health.

Energetics

Passionflower is considered slightly cooling and moist, energetically speaking. Some use it as a cooling, grounding herb for when the upper chakras (mind/head/heart) are overheated and overactive. It excels in conditions where mental tension or emotional looping disrupts the body's natural rhythm, especially at night, when intrusive thoughts prevent rest.

In energetic modalities, you would use caution if treating someone with an overly cold or moist constitution. In this case, you might add another herb to the blend, with warmer properties.

When to reach for passionflower

• After stressful workdays or events: To unwind and ease into restful sleep.

  
  

• When digestion is not optimal due to stress: Particularly if nervous tension is causing stomach upset or spasms.

  
  

• During periods of anxiety or sleeplessness: Ideal for rumination and repetitive mental chatter, especially at night.

  
  

• When you're feeling wired and tired: That paradox of exhaustion with a buzzing mind.

  
  

• During emotionally charged times: Grief, heartbreak, or emotional overwhelm can overheat the heart, but passionflower cools and grounds.

  
  

• Alongside caffeine reduction: When weaning off stimulants, it can ease irritability and sleep disturbances.

  
  

• For screen-induced burnout: If too much time online leaves your brain buzzing, it invites rest and reconnection with your body.

  
  

• For sensitive, empathic types: Those who absorb too much from their environment may find passionflower helps release what’s not theirs.

  
  

• For mild pain or muscle cramps: Soothes mild headaches or menstrual discomfort tied to nervous tension.

Traditional uses and lore

Cultural and historical use: Indigenous tribes, such as the Cherokee and Houma, used passionflower for a range of ailments, and historically utilized the root (whereas now, we tend to pick the aerial parts).

European herbalism: Early settlers adopted it as a sedative and remedy for epilepsy, insomnia, menstrual cramps, and more.

Symbols and myths: Spanish missionaries named it “passionflower,” seeing in its unique structure a symbol of Christ’s Passion: the corona represented the crown of thorns, the five anthers the wounds, and three stigmas the nails.

Rituals: Some traditions consider passionflower sacred and employ it for spiritual insight and protecting against negative influences.

Grow it yourself

• Soil and light: Prefers full sun and hot, humid environments. Thrives in well-draining, sandy, or loamy soils.

  
  

• Planting: Start seeds indoors or outdoors after frost. Rub seeds with sandpaper and soak overnight for better germination

  
  

• Support: Provide a sturdy trellis or fence. Vines are eager climbers and can grow very quickly.

  
  

• Harvesting: Gather leaves and flowers when vibrant and fully open, typically June/July is peak. Dry for tea or fresh for tincture. Root harvesting is rarely done and should be approached with caution.

  
  

• Wildcrafting: Only harvest from abundant patches and never take the whole plant. Leave enough for regrowth, local pollinators and wildlife. Overharvesting of wild passionflower for herbal products can lead to habitat depletion and threaten local ecosystems. Opt for organically cultivated sources and never harvest wild populations without following ethical, sustainable guidelines.

  
  

• Companion planting: Grows well with other sun-loving climbers and will happily interweave with many garden plants if given space.

Contraindications and concerns

Concomitant use with sedative drugs (e.g., benzodiazepines, barbiturates, certain antidepressants, and alcohol) can dangerously amplify sedative effects and slow central nervous system activity.

Some wellness trends blend passionflower with other potent sedatives, increasing the risk of excessive drowsiness, confusion, or impaired coordination

Overuse (higher doses or extended duration) can cause side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, and even impaired cognitive function.

Passionflower may potentiate the effects of anesthesia and should be discontinued at least two weeks before surgery.

NOT safe during pregnancy: It may stimulate uterine contractions and pose the risk of early labor. Safety during breastfeeding is not established, so avoid use if nursing, as well.

There is the potential for allergic reactions and rare, but serious, cardiac or neurological symptoms in excessive doses.

Always consult a healthcare provider before combining passionflower with medications, or using it if you have underlying health conditions.

Pharmacological and Physiological insights

Several small clinical studies have found that passionflower extracts may help reduce mild anxiety and improve sleep quality in short-term use for mild-to-moderate symptoms

In a small randomized controlled trial, passionflower performed similarly to oxazepam (a benzodiazepine) in reducing generalized anxiety, with fewer reports of job performance impairment.

Passionflower has also shown some promise in easing drug withdrawal and preoperative anxiety, though more research is needed to confirm these findings and establish safety over longer periods.

Pharmacological data show that passionflower primarily exerts its effects through the central nervous system by influencing GABAergic activity. Active constituents include flavonoids (e.g., vitexin, isovitexin, orientin), alkaloids, and trace amounts of GABA. The flavonoids and alkaloids actually modulate our own GABA receptors, which is believed to also modulate neurotransmitters involved in relaxation.

Animal studies have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and mild analgesic actions, supporting some traditional uses.

Key Considerations:

Most studies show safety for up to 8 weeks, but long-term effects remain unproven in formal studies.

While passionflower is thought to offer calming, antispasmodic, and sleep-supporting benefits, careful use is needed to avoid overuse, unsafe drug interactions, and contraindications. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining passionflower with medications or using it if you have underlying health conditions.

Sources:

• Harit MK, et al. 2024. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study on Passiflora incarnata for stress and sleep quality

• Dehghani MA, et al. 2025. Animal study on anxiolytic and neuroprotective effects

• NCCIH/NIH Passionflower monograph, 2024

Disclaimer:

All material contained herein is provided for general information purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Contact a reputable healthcare practitioner if you are in need of medical care.

The information on my blog may not be reposted, copied or published without my permission and appropriate credit given. Please contact me at info@lilyoftheforest.com if you wish to republish any of the information on my blog.