Key Constituents

Flavonoids (vitexin, isovitexin, chrysin)^[1]

The principal calming constituents, thought to act on GABA pathways.

Flavonoids

Trace harman-type alkaloids^[1]

Minor constituents that may contribute to the sedative effect.

Alkaloids

Pharmacological Actions

Anxiolytic / calming^{[1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12]}

Anxiolytic for anxiety and nervous tension (reduces anxiety in clinical trials)

Sedative / sleep support^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12]}

Sleep support for insomnia - improves subjective sleep quality and, on polysomnography, increases total sleep time

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Anxiety^{[1, 10, 12]}Good · 8/10

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)

more plants for anxiety →detailed sources →

Insomnia / sleeplessness^{[1, 3, 4, 12]}Strong · 9/10

Sleep support for insomnia - improves subjective sleep quality and, on polysomnography, increases total sleep time

more plants for insomnia / sleeplessness →detailed sources →

Nervous tension^{[1, 12]}Good · 7/10

Anxiolytic for anxiety and nervous tension (reduces anxiety in clinical trials)

more plants for nervous tension →detailed sources →

Stress^{[1, 12]}Good · 7/10

Relief of mild mental stress

more plants for stress →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[1, 12]}Caution

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.

Safety note^[12]Caution

Use in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended.

References

REF-0490, REF-1907, REF-0564, REF-0565, REF-1908, REF-1909, REF-1910, REF-1911, REF-1912, REF-0563, REF-1913

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

Generated June 22, 2026 from omniasana.bio