Scientific Name: Passion Flower
Other Names: Apricot Vine, Corona de Cristo, Granadilla, Maypop, Passiflora, Passiflora incarnata, Passion Vine, Water Lemon

Who is this for?

Uses

Oral passion flower products are most frequently used for their effects on the central nervous system (CNS). While not all of their effects are understood, certain chemicals in passion flower may act like a class of prescription drugs known as benzodiazepines. Drugs such as benzodiazepines and herbals such as passion flower increase levels of a neurotransmitter known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Neurotransmitters are chemicals that carry messages from nerve cells to other cells. In general, GABA decreases the activity of nerve cells in the brain, causing relaxation, possibly relieving anxiety, and potentially treating insomnia.

In addition, passion flower contains chemicals known as harmala alkaloids, which are thought to block an enzyme involved in depression. This enzyme, monoamine oxidase, breaks down other neurotransmitters--especially dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin--which affect mood stability. Blocking monoamine oxidase may increase the amounts of other neurotransmitters, which may improve mood. No large human studies have been performed to prove the effectiveness of passion flower for any CNS uses, however.

Although applying passion flower to the skin is not as common as taking it by mouth, topical forms may help to relieve minor skin conditions such as burns, cold sores, insect bites, razor burn, scrapes, and sunburn. Passion flower products also have been used to alleviate the itching and burning pain of hemorrhoids. Laboratory studies have shown that it possesses some possible mild anti-infective activity, so it may also help to prevent skin surface infections. Again, however, these uses have yet to be proven in human studies.

Chemicals in passion flower may cause muscles in the uterus to tighten, which may cause a pregnant woman to miscarry. Therefore, pregnant women should avoid taking passion flower by mouth.

Precautions

Because very little is known about the possible effects of passion flower in young children, its use is not recommended for infants or for breast-feeding women.

What side effects should I watch for?

Major Side Effects

Some species of passion flower may contain varying amounts of cyanide-like chemicals. Although the amounts are very small and the species that contain them are not ordinarily used in food or medicine, the slight possibility of cyanide poisoning exists. In addition, the liver or pancreas may be damaged from cyanide exposure. Only commercially available passion flower products from reliable sources should be taken by mouth. Individuals with any doubts about the source of the product they plan to take, should not use it.

One case of dangerously rapid heart beat has been reported following the oral use of passion flower. In addition, a commercial product made from passion fruit (not passion flower) has been associated with temporary changes in mental awareness. Formerly sold in Europe but not in the United States, the passion fruit preparation may also have caused isolated cases of inflammation in blood vessels. Inflamed blood vessels may become weakened, may stretch and increase in size, or may become narrow. Any of these effects may worsen heart conditions. The preparation thought to have caused these problems is no longer available, and passion flower products are not known to have caused similar side effects.

Less Severe Side Effects

Taking passion flower by mouth may result in:

• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Nausea

What interactions should I watch for?

Prescription Drugs

Passion flower contains chemicals that may interfere with the ability of blood platelets to stick together, thereby potentially increasing the time blood needs to clot. When it is taken with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs, the effect of the drug may be increased, resulting in uncontrolled bleeding.

• Antiplatelets include clopidogrel and Ticlid
• Anticoagulants include heparin and warfarin

When passion flower is used with prescription drugs that promote sedation, the effects of the drug may be exaggerated, resulting in drowsiness or confusion. Prescription drugs that can cause sleepiness include:

• Anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine, phenytoin and valproic acid
• Barbiturates such as phenobarbital
• Benzodiazepines such as alprazolam and diazepam
• Drugs for insomnia such as Lunesta, Rozerem, zaleplon, and zolpidem
• Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, amoxapine, doxepin, and nortriptyline

Because it may block the effects of the enzyme monoamine oxidase, passion flower may possibly increase the effects and the risk of side effects from prescription drugs that also interfere with monoamine oxidase. These drugs, known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), include:

• Marplan
• Nardil
• tranylcypromine (Parnate)

Selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar) and rasagiline (Azilect), drugs which are related to the MAOI antidepressants and which are used to treat Parkinson's disease, also should not be taken with passion flower.

Non-prescription Drugs

The anti-platelet effect of passion flower may decrease the ability of blood to clot after an injury. Aspirin can also delay clotting, so passion flower should not be taken orally at the same time as aspirin.

The sleep-producing effects of over-the-counter products containing diphenhydramine or doxylamine may be enhanced by taking passion flower at the same time. Diphenhydramine and doxylamine are contained in many non-prescription sleeping pills as well as in some cough and cold products; therefore, caution should be used when taking these medications with passion flower because excessive drowsiness may result.

Herbal Products

Theoretically, if passion flower is used with other herbs that affect blood clotting, bleeding may occur. Some of the most common herbal products that might inhibit blood clotting are:

• Danshen
• Devil's Claw
• Eleuthero
• Garlic
• Ginger (in high amounts)
• Ginkgo
• Horse Chestnut
• Panax Ginseng
• Papain
• Red Clover
• Saw Palmetto

Although it is commonly sold as combination preparations with one or more other sleep-producing herbals, passion flower may cause excessive sedation if it is taken with other potentially sedating herbs such as:

• Catnip
• Hops
• Kava
• St. John's Wort
• Valerian

Foods

No interactions between passion flower and foods have been reported, but drinking alcohol at the same time as using passion flower by mouth may result in increased drowsiness.

Some interactions between herbal products and medications can be more severe than others. The best way for you to avoid harmful interactions is to tell your doctor and/or pharmacist what medications you are currently taking, including any over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbals. For specific information on how passion flower interacts with drugs, other herbals, and foods and the severity of those interactions, please use our Drug Interactions Checker to check for possible interactions.

Should I take it?

Over 500 different species of passion flower are known in the world. All of them grow as perennial vines that thrive in tropical climates. Some species may survive in cooler areas such as southern California; and some are grown as decorative houseplants. The wood-like stems of passion flower are supported by tendrils similar to those found on grape vines. Like grape vines, passion flower vines may be planted along vineyard-like fences or netting for commercial production--especially in some African and South American countries. The vines bear distinctive flowers with five white petals and five magenta, purple, or blue petal-like sepals all surrounding a feathery circle of filaments. Because the Spaniards exploring South America in the 1500s saw these flowers as representing Christ's Crown of Thorns, they gave the plant the Spanish name "Corona de Cristo".

Flowers are followed by fruits that range according to species from pea-sized to the general size and shape of eggs. When ripe, the fruits may be yellow, orange, or dark purple, again depending on the species. Not all passion fruits are suitable for humans to eat, but some species of the heavily-seeded fruits are used for juice, often in combination with other tropical fruit juices. These edible passion fruits may be eaten raw or cooked into jam. Recently, fruits from some species of passion flowers have been found to contain a high amount of lycopene, the pigment that gives tomatoes their red color. Lycopene may help to prevent or delay some cancers and heart disease. Other parts of the plant may have medical uses, as well. For example, the fruit rind may contain chemicals that widen blood vessels and lower blood pressure; the seeds may have antifungal effects.

For most medical use, however, the leaves and flowers of the passion vines are collected and dried. Passion flower is approved as a treatment for nervousness and restlessness by Commission E of the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, the German governmental agency that evaluates the safety and effectiveness of herbal products. The United States does not have a comparable agency to evaluate herbal products. However, about 25 years ago the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), required manufacturers to remove passion flower from non-prescription insomnia treatments that are sold in this country. The FDA felt that not enough evidence proving the safety or effectiveness of passion flower was available to justify its sale as medicine. It is still available in the U.S. as a dietary supplement, however.

Dosage and Administration

Passion flower supplement are available in several different oral dosage forms, including liquid extracts and powders that may be added to foods and beverages. Directions for use vary by product and condition. Individuals who decide to use a commercial preparation of passion flower should follow the recommendations on the package.

Passion flower tea may be made by adding about a teaspoonful of dried passion flowers and leaves to about 6 ounces of boiling water and letting it soak for 10 minutes. The solid particles should be strained out before drinking the tea. To relieve insomnia, one cup of passion flower tea may be consumed about one hour before bedtime. For anxiety, up to four cups of passion flower tea may be taken per day. This tea may also be allowed to cool and then applied topically to minor skin irritations such as mild rashes or sunburn.

Summary

Taken orally, passion flower may be mildly effective for reducing anxiety, promoting sleep, or lessening depression. When applied to the skin, it may help to relieve minor conditions such as scrapes and sunburn.

Risks

Due to the risk of miscarriage, pregnant women should not take passion flower. It should also be avoided by small children and women who are breast feeding.

Side Effects

In the past, rare instances of cyanide poisoning have been attributed to the use of passion flower. The particular passion flower species that were involved may no longer be used as medicine or the products may have been contaminated with other plant material. More common side effects associated with the use of passion flower include confusion, dizziness, and nausea. Blood vessel inflammation and rapid heartbeat may have been caused by eating passion fruit products.

Interactions

Passion flower may increase the effects of drugs and herbals that promote sleepiness. It may also enhance the blood-thinning effects of anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents.

Last Revised April 15, 2008

References

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Last Revised April 15, 2008

Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.

In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.

This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.

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