Therapeutic Uses
- Calm the Mind – P. incarnata has many common names, including purple passionflower and maypop. Early studies suggest it might help relieve insomnia and anxiety. It appears to boost the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in your brain. This compound lowers brain activity, which may help you relax and sleep better.
- Soothe the Stomach – Other members of the Passiflora family might help treat stomach problems. Passiflora foetida is more commonly known as stinking passionflower. In a study reported in the Indian Journal of Pharmacology, researchers examined its potential for treating stomach ulcers. They found it helped alleviate ulcers in rats. It also showed antioxidant potential. In another study reported in BioMed Research International, scientists examined Passiflora serratodigitata. They created an extract from its leaves and stems. This extract also showed promise for treating ulcers in rats.
Medicinal Uses: *Anxiety *Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) *Burns *Heart Rhythm Problems *Hemorrhoids *Menopausal Symptoms *Pain *Sleep Problems
Passionflower Side Effects: According to the NCCIH, passionflower is generally considered safe. But it may cause some side effects, such as: sleepiness, dizziness, and confusion. Because of this, it should not be taken with sedative medications. Also, it’s not safe for pregnant women or breast-feeding women. It may induce contractions if you’re pregnant.
Passionflower Drug Interactions:
Sedatives (drugs that cause sleepiness) – Because of its calming effect, passionflower may make the effects of sedative medications stronger. These medications include:
- Anticonvulsants such as phenytoin (Dilantin)
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium)
- Drugs for insomnia, such as zolpidem (Ambien), zaleplon (Sonata), eszopiclone (Lunesta), ramelteon (Rozerem)
- Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine, doxepin (Sinequan), and nortriptyline (Pamelor)
Antiplatelets and anticoagulants (blood thinners) – Passionflower may increase the amount of time blood needs to clot, so it could make the effects of blood-thinning medications stronger and increase your risk of bleeding. Blood-thinning drugs include:
- Clopidogrel (Plavix)
- Warfarin (Coumadin)
- Aspirin
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO inhibitors or MAOIs) – MAO inhibitors are an older class of antidepressants that are not often prescribed now. Theoretically, passionflower might increase the effects of MAOIs, as well as their side effects, which can be dangerous. These drugs include:
- Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
- Phenelzine (Nardil)
- Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
