Passionflower Tea: Benefits and Side Effects

The passionflower plant has sedative and anti-anxiety effects. Passionflower tea may cause dizziness, drowsiness, mental slowing, vomiting, nausea, and confusion.

If you want a calming herbal tea, passionflower tea is a good choice. While not as popular as peppermint or chamomile tea, it has a long history as a herbal remedy in indigenous cultures worldwide. Studies have found health benefits of passionflowers, including reducing insomnia and anxiety. It’s important to consult with your doctor before consuming this tea to ensure there are no side effects on your health.

Passionflower is a climbing vine native to the Southeastern United States. Above-ground parts of the plant are used to make herbal supplements and flavoring agents. The bright white and purple flowers are used to make passionflower herbal tea. Other forms of passionflower extract include infusions, tinctures, and capsules.

The scientific name of the passionflower plant is Passiflora incarnata. It is known by various local names worldwide, including apricot vine, fleischfarbige, fleur de la passion, granadilla, maracuja, maypop, passionblume, and wild passionflower.

Passionflower has long been used as a folk medicine in Brazil, Turkey, Iraq, and parts of North America for its sedative and anti-anxiety effects.

Studies suggest that passionflower products have a calming effect by increasing levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA is a natural amino acid that blocks certain signals and reduces central nervous system activity, resulting in improved mood and relaxation.

Passionflower Tea Ingredients

Passionflower tea contains maltol, flavonoids, indole alkaloids, umbelliferone, vitexin, chrysin, and coumarin. These substances are antioxidants that protect cells from oxidative stress and reduce the risk of inflammatory disorders.

Passionflower Tea Benefits

Passionflower tea offers various health benefits:

Improves sleep quality: Studies show that passionflower products effectively treat insomnia. Patients with bipolar disorder experienced improved sleep quality and reduced insomnia symptoms after consuming herbal medicines containing passionflower extract. Combining passionflower with valerian root can enhance its sleep-enhancing effects.

Reduces anxiety: Animal studies demonstrate the anti-anxiety effects of passionflower extract. Clinical trials on people with generalized anxiety disorder reveal that passionflower extract reduces anxiety symptoms as effectively as traditional anti-anxiety medications. It is comparable to drugs like oxazepam, midazolam, and melatonin.

Alleviates menopause symptoms: Passionflower products provide an alternative to hormonal therapy for menopausal women. They can help with symptoms such as night sweats, hot flashes, headaches, anger, and insomnia. Passionflower raises GABA levels in the brain, reducing menopause-related anxiety and depression.

Lowers blood pressure: Studies show that passionflower is effective against hypertension. Passionflower skin extract and fruit pulp have both been found to reduce blood pressure.

However, further research is needed to determine the effects of passionflower tea on blood pressure.

QUESTION

Are There Any Side Effects of Passionflower Tea?

Passionflower products are generally considered safe, but they are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

While studies show no major side effects of passionflower tea, consuming more than the recommended dose can cause dizziness, drowsiness, mental slowing, vomiting, nausea, and confusion. It is important to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery after consuming this tea. Additionally, do not consume passionflower products before surgery without consulting your doctor, as they can enhance the effects of anesthesia drugs.

Pregnant women should avoid oral passionflower products due to the risk of premature labor and other complications. Passionflower products may also interact negatively with other medications, so consult your doctor before adding them to your routine.

How to Make Passionflower Tea

To make passionflower tea, steep dried passionflower herb or a tea bag in boiling water for 6 to 15 minutes, depending on desired strength. Add honey to sweeten the tea, and feel free to combine it with other relaxing herbs to create your own herbal tea recipe.

You can drink 1 to 2 cups of passionflower tea per day. If using it to improve sleep, consume it 1 to 2 hours before bedtime.

Sources:

The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry: "Clinical applications of herbal medicines for anxiety and insomnia; targeting patients with bipolar disorder."

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry: "Antihypertensive Effect of an Extract of Passiflora edulis Rind in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats."

Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research: "A comparative study on the effects of Hypericum Perforatum and passionflower on the menopausal symptoms of women referring to Isfahan city health care centers."

Phytomedicine: "Passiflora incarnata L. (Passionflower) extracts elicit GABA currents in hippocampal neurons in vitro, and show anxiogenic and anticonvulsant effects in vivo, varying with extraction method."

Phytotherapy Research: "A double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation of the effects of Passiflora incarnata (passionflower) herbal tea on subjective sleep quality."

ScienceDirect: "Passiflora incarnata."

Winchester Hospital: "Passionflower."