Omnia SanaPlant Comparison
Passionflower vs Kava
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Passionflower and Kava: they share 4 indicated uses (anxiety, insomnia / sleeplessness, nervous tension, …); 2 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Passionflower | Kava | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anxiety | 8/10 | 10/10 | Stronger for Kava |
| Insomnia / sleeplessness | 9/10 | 8/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Nervous tension | 7/10 | 8/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Stress | 7/10 | 8/10 | Comparable evidence |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
Lipophilic lactones concentrated in the root/rhizome; regarded as the main anxiolytic constituents, acting on GABA-A signalling and other CNS targets.
Chalcone-type constituents of the root; implicated by structure-activity analyses as the components most likely responsible for kava-associated liver injury, which is why water-based extracts of peeled noble-cultivar root are preferred.
Pharmacological Actions
Standardised kava extracts significantly reduce anxiety versus placebo in controlled trials (Hamilton Anxiety scale).
Traditional & Indicated Uses
Anxiolytic for anxiety and nervous tension (reduces anxiety in clinical trials); Reduces preoperative / situational anxiety without sedation or psychomotor impairment (RCT in ambulatory surgery patients)
Sleep support for insomnia - improves subjective sleep quality and, on polysomnography, increases total sleep time
Anxiolytic for anxiety and nervous tension (reduces anxiety in clinical trials)
Directly measured as a treatment target in a 156-patient observational trial of kava extract, where nervous tension and restlessness showed the largest improvements.
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Generally well tolerated, with no serious adverse effects reported in trials. Its sedative effect can add to that of alcohol, sedatives and sleep medicines, so avoid combining and do not use before driving.
Use in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended.
Rare but serious drug-induced liver injury (hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver failure) has been reported with kava; it is contraindicated in people with liver disease and should not be combined with alcohol or other medicines that can harm the liver. To reduce risk, use only water-based extracts of peeled root/rhizome from a noble cultivar, keep the dose at or below about 250 mg kavalactones per day, and use short-term only. Stop and seek care for signs of liver trouble (dark urine, jaundice, nausea, abdominal pain).
Kavalactones inhibit several cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6 and 3A4), which metabolise a large share of prescription medicines. Kava may therefore raise blood levels of such drugs; check with a pharmacist or doctor before combining kava with any regular medication.
External Ids
Botanical Description
Fast-growing, climbing or trailing perennial vine (Passifloraceae) that climbs by axillary tendrils, reaching several metres. Leaves are alternate and deeply 3-lobed. The large, intricate flowers have a fringed corona of lavender-white filaments around a central structure whose parts were likened by early missionaries to instruments of the Passion of Christ, giving the plant its name. The fruit is an edible, egg-shaped, yellow-orange berry known as a 'maypop'.[12]
Robust, shrubby perennial with thick, jointed, cane-like stems and large, heart-shaped, glossy green leaves. The plant rarely if ever flowers or sets viable seed in cultivation and is propagated entirely by stem cuttings; the thick, knotty underground rhizome and root, the medicinal part, contains the characteristic kavalactone-rich resin.
Habitat
Native to the south-eastern United States, growing in thickets, fencerows, roadsides and disturbed sunny ground; widely cultivated and naturalised as an ornamental and medicinal crop elsewhere in warm-temperate and subtropical regions.[12]
Native to the islands of the South Pacific (Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and neighbouring islands); cultivated in warm, humid, shaded tropical conditions.
Harvesting
The flowering and fruiting aerial parts (herb) are cut during the growing season, typically as flowering begins, and dried for use.[12]
The root and rhizome are dug from plants at least three to five years old, when kavalactone content is highest, then cleaned, peeled and dried or processed fresh into a beverage.
Traditional Uses
Passionflower has a traditional use, recognised by European regulatory herbal monographs, as a mild sedative and anxiolytic for nervous tension, mild anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Modern clinical trials support anxiolytic and sleep-supporting effects, including reduced preoperative anxiety without sedation or psychomotor impairment.[1, 12]
Kava root has a centuries-long ceremonial and social tradition across Pacific Island cultures, prepared as a communal beverage for its calming, sociable and relaxing effects; this traditional anxiolytic reputation is now supported by clinical trials of standardised water-based extracts for anxiety.[6]
Preparations
Peeled root pounded or ground and mixed with water, strained and drunk fresh, the traditional Pacific Island ceremonial and social preparation.
Water-based extract standardised to kavalactone content, taken as capsules; the form used in most clinical anxiety trials, and the safer choice given documented hepatotoxicity concerns with some solvent-extracted products.
Dosage
EMA herbal-monograph guidance suggests around 0.5-2 g dried herb per cup as an infusion, up to several times daily, or an equivalent liquid/dry extract. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Clinical trials for anxiety commonly use extracts providing up to around 250 mg kavalactones daily, from water-based extracts of peeled root of a noble cultivar, for short-term use only, given the rare but serious hepatotoxicity risk. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Drug Class Interactions
Lookalikes Review
Synonyms
Not documented
Pairings
Not documented
Kava and valerian are both calming, sedating herbs; taken together they may add up to cause excessive drowsiness, so use caution and avoid before driving or combining with other sedatives.[1]
Kava and passionflower are both relaxing, sedating herbs; combined use may deepen drowsiness and sedation, so use caution.[1]
References & Sources
- Janda, K., Wojtkowska, K., Jakubczyk, K., Antoniewicz, J. and Skonieczna-Zydecka, K (2020) 'Passiflora incarnata in Neuropsychiatric Disorders - A Systematic Review', Nutrients. doi:10.3390/nu12123894 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123894 - Harit, M.K., Mundhe, N., Tamoli, S., Pawar, V., Bhapkar, V., Kolhe, G., Mahadik, S., Kulkarni, A. and Agarwal, A (2024) 'Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Study of Passiflora incarnata in Participants With Stress and Sleep Problems', Cureus, 16(3), pp. e56530. doi:10.7759/cureus.56530 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.56530 - Lee, J., Jung, H.Y., Lee, S.I., Choi, J.H. and Kim, S.G (2020) 'Effects of Passiflora incarnata Linnaeus on polysomnographic sleep parameters in subjects with insomnia disorder: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study', International Clinical Psychopharmacology, 35(1), pp. 29--35. doi:10.1097/YIC.0000000000000291 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1097/YIC.0000000000000291 - Ngan, A. and Conduit, R (2011) 'A double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation of the effects of Passiflora incarnata (passionflower) herbal tea on subjective sleep quality', Phytotherapy Research, 25(8), pp. 1153--1159. doi:10.1002/ptr.3400 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.3400 - Miroddi, M., Calapai, G., Navarra, M., Minciullo, P.L. and Gangemi, S (2013) 'Passiflora incarnata L.: ethnopharmacology, clinical application, safety and evaluation of clinical trials', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 150(3), pp. 791-804. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.09.047 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.09.047 - Krenn, L (2002) 'Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata L.) - a reliable herbal sedative', Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift, 152(15-16), pp. 404-406. doi:10.1046/j.1563-258x.2002.02062.x Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1563-258x.2002.02062.x - Dhawan, K., Kumar, S. and Sharma, A (2001) 'Anti-anxiety studies on extracts of Passiflora incarnata Linneaus', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 78(2-3), pp. 165-170. doi:10.1016/s0378-8741(01)00339-7 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-8741(01)00339-7 - Aslanargun, P., Cuvas, O., Dikmen, B., Aslan, E. and Yuksel, M.U (2011) 'Passiflora incarnata Linneaus as an anxiolytic before spinal anesthesia', Journal of Anesthesia, 26(1), pp. 39-44. doi:10.1007/s00540-011-1265-6 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-011-1265-6 - Dhawan, K., Kumar, S. and Sharma, A (2001) 'Anxiolytic activity of aerial and underground parts of Passiflora incarnata', Fitoterapia, 72(8), pp. 922-926. doi:10.1016/s0367-326x(01)00322-7 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0367-326x(01)00322-7 - Movafegh, A., Alizadeh, R., Hajimohamadi, F., Esfehani, F. and Nejatfar, M (2008) 'Preoperative oral Passiflora incarnata reduces anxiety in ambulatory surgery patients: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study', Anesthesia and Analgesia, 106(6), pp. 1728--1732. doi:10.1213/ane.0b013e318172c3f9 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1213/ane.0b013e318172c3f9 - Grundmann, O., Wang, J., McGregor, G.P. and Butterweck, V (2008) 'Anxiolytic activity of a phytochemically characterized Passiflora incarnata extract is mediated via the GABAergic system', Planta Medica, 74(15), pp. 1769-1773. doi:10.1055/s-0028-1088322 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0028-1088322 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (n.d.) 'European Union herbal monograph on Passiflora incarnata L., herba (Passiflorae herba)'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/passiflorae-herba Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/passiflorae-herba - Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2024) 'Therapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review', Phytotherapy Research, 38(6), pp. 3037-3059. doi:10.1002/ptr.8201 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8201 - Block, K.I., Gyllenhaal, C. and Mead, M.N (2004) 'Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care', Integrative Cancer Therapies, 3(2), pp. 128-148. doi:10.1177/1534735404265003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735404265003 - Janda, K., Wojtkowska, K., Jakubczyk, K., Antoniewicz, J. and Skonieczna-Zydecka, K (2020) 'Passiflora incarnata in neuropsychiatric disorders: a systematic review', Nutrients, 12(12), pp. 3894. doi:10.3390/nu12123894 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123894
- Block, K.I., Gyllenhaal, C. and Mead, M.N (2004) 'Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care', Integrative Cancer Therapies, 3(2), pp. 128-148. doi:10.1177/1534735404265003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735404265003 - Pittler, M.H. and Ernst, E (2000) 'Efficacy of kava extract for treating anxiety: systematic review and meta-analysis', Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 20(1), pp. 84-89. doi:10.1097/00004714-200002000-00014 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1097/00004714-200002000-00014 - Smith, K. and Leiras, C (2018) 'The effectiveness and safety of Kava Kava for treating anxiety symptoms: A systematic review and analysis of randomized clinical trials', Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 33, pp. 107-117. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.09.003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.09.003 - Zhang, W., Yan, Y., Wu, Y., Yang, H., Zhu, P., Yan, F., Zhao, R., Tian, P., Wang, T., Fan, Q. and Su, Z (2022) 'Medicinal herbs for the treatment of anxiety: A systematic review and network meta-analysis', Pharmacological Research, 179, pp. 106204. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106204 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106204 - Sarris, J (2018) 'Herbal medicines in the treatment of psychiatric disorders: 10-year updated review', Phytotherapy Research, 32(7), pp. 1147-1162. doi:10.1002/ptr.6055 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6055 - Pittler, M.H. and Ernst, E (2003) 'Kava extract for treating anxiety', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2003(1), pp. CD003383. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003383 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003383 - Teschke, R., Qiu, S.X., Xuan, T.D. and Lebot, V (2011) 'Kava and kava hepatotoxicity: requirements for novel experimental, ethnobotanical and clinical studies based on a review of the evidence', Phytotherapy Research, 25(9), pp. 1263-1274. doi:10.1002/ptr.3464 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.3464 - Wang, Yingli and Su, Chao and Zhang, Bo and Niu, Yang and Ren, Ruru and Zhao, Xiaojun and Yang, Lingling and Zhang, Wannian and Ma, Xueqin (2021) 'Biological Activity, Hepatotoxicity, and Structure-Activity Relationship of Kavalactones and Flavokavins, the Two Main Bioactive Components in Kava (Piper methysticum)', Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2021, pp. 6851798. doi:10.1155/2021/6851798 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6851798 - Sarris, J., Kavanagh, D.J., Adams, J., Bone, K. and Byrne, G (2009) 'Kava Anxiety Depression Spectrum Study (KADSS): a mixed methods RCT using an aqueous extract of Piper methysticum', Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 17(3), pp. 176-178. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2009.01.001 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2009.01.001 - Kuchta, Kenny and Hladikova, Marie and Thomsen, Michael and Nahrstedt, Adolf and Schmidt, Mathias (2020) 'Kava (Piper methysticum) Extract for the Treatment of Nervous Anxiety, Tension and Restlessness', Drug Research, 71(2), pp. 83-93. doi:10.1055/a-1268-7135 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1268-7135 - Anke, Jennifer and Ramzan, Iqbal (2004) 'Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic drug interactions with Kava (Piper methysticum Forst. f.)', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 93(2-3), pp. 153-160. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2004.04.009 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2004.04.009 - Pittler, M.H. and Ernst, E (2003) 'Kava extract for treating anxiety', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2003(1), pp. CD003383. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003383 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003383
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.