Understanding Passion Flower Extract
Passion flower extract comes from the Passiflora incarnata plant, a climbing vine native to the southeastern United States and parts of South America. Passion flower gets its name from the unique flower structure which resembles Christ's crown of thorns.
The extract is obtained from the dried aerial parts of the passion flower vine above ground. Passion flower contains a number of phytochemicals including alkaloids like harmane and harmine, flavonoids, coumarins, glycosides, and phenolic acids. The flavonoids and alkaloids are believed to provide anxiolytic and sedative benefits.
Health Benefits of Passion Flower Extract
Studies show passion extract may offer these evidence-based health benefits:
Reduces Anxiety and Stress
- Passion flower increases gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity in the brain which helps lower anxiety.
- Human trials show it can reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety comparable to some prescription medications.
- It also minimizes anxiety before surgery and during opioid withdrawal.
Promotes Relaxation and Sleep
- Flavonoids like chrysin in passion flower have sedating effects to improve sleep quality.
- Studies indicate it increases total sleep time and reduces sleep disturbances.
- It has slight narcotic effects to induce calmness and drowsiness.
Improves Digestive Health
- Passion flower is a traditional remedy for gastrointestinal issues like cramps, bloating, and indigestion.
- Extracts exhibit antispasmodic activity that relieves smooth muscle spasms in the gut.
- It also has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce gut inflammation.
Lowers Blood Pressure
- Passion flower extract inhibits angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) to widen blood vessels.
- This vasodilation effect helps lower high blood pressure levels.
- It also acts as a mild sedative and anxiolytic which reduces stress and hypertension.
Overall, passion flower extract is best known for reducing anxiety, improving sleep quality, aiding digestion, and lowering mild hypertension. More human research is still needed, however.
Forms of Passion Flower Extract
There are several forms of passion extract available:
Capsules and Tablets
- Most common standardized forms containing specific doses.
- Concentrated potency and convenient dosage.
- Take 500-1000 mg capsules 1-3 times daily.
Liquid Extracts and Tinctures
- Made by soaking passion flower in alcohol or glycerine.
- Fast-acting but lower potency than capsules.
- Use 30-60 drops in water or juice up to 3 times a day.
Tea
- Made by steeping dried leaves and flowers.
- Provides lighter, more subtle effects.
- Brew 1-2 teaspoons per cup of hot water and drink 1-3 cups daily.
Topical Creams
- Applied to skin to relieve irritation, rashes, or muscle cramps.
- Provides mild localized effects.
How to Take Passion Flower Extract
The best ways to take passion flower extract include:
- Capsules taken orally with water provide the most consistent dosing. Take before bedtime for sleep.
- Liquid tinctures placed under the tongue allow faster absorption. Can be added to water.
- Tea sipped slowly to promote relaxation. Add honey or juice to mask bitter taste.
- Added to lotions or creams and massaged into skin to relieve irritated skin or muscle tightness.
- Mixed into smoothies, water, or juice to mask the bitter taste of powders or tinctures.
- Never exceed recommended doses. Discuss dosing with your doctor if taking other medications.
Does Passion Flower Increase Dopamine?
Some early research suggests passion flower may mildly increase dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that regulates motivation, pleasure, and reward-driven behaviors.
A 1978 study found that harmine alkaloids isolated from passion flower inhibit the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO) in the brain. MAO degrades neurotransmitters like dopamine, so inhibiting MAO leads to higher dopamine levels.
However, the dopamine effect requires high harmine concentrations not typically found in standard doses. So more research is still needed on whether passion flower extracts can significantly increase dopamine at normal supplemental dosages.
Does Passion Flower Lower Cortisol?
Passion flower may help lower cortisol levels based on initial studies. Cortisol is the main stress hormone in the body.
In a 2014 trial, dental patients who took passion flower before surgery had significantly lower salivary cortisol levels compared to patients given placebo. The lowered cortisol indicated an anti-anxiety effect.
Another study in 2011 also found that passion flower extracts given for a week significantly reduced waking cortisol levels in healthy adults relative to baseline. Reduction in cortisol helps minimize anxiety symptoms.
So evidence indicates passion flower can lower cortisol, but larger human studies are still needed to confirm these initial findings on cortisol and anxiety reduction.
Precautions and Possible Side Effects
When taking passion flower, keep these precautions in mind:
- Avoid high doses above the recommended amount to prevent excessive sedation.
- Don't take with depressants like benzodiazepines or alcohol as it may increase their effects.
- Discontinue use at least 2 weeks before any scheduled surgery.
- Consult your doctor before use if taking prescription sedatives or MAO inhibitors.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid passion flower due to lack of safety data.
Potential but rare side effects include dizziness, confusion, irregular muscle action, altered consciousness, and inflamed blood vessels. Discontinue use if any concerning reactions occur.
How Long Does it Take for Passion Flower Extract to Work?
Passion flower extract typically takes 45-90 minutes to take effect when taken orally in supplemental forms:
- Capsules and tablets need to digest before onset of action, so effects manifest after 60-90 minutes.
- Liquid tinctures placed under tongue absorb faster in 15-45 minutes.
- Teas work within 45-60 minutes since hot water helps extract the beneficial compounds quickly.
- Topical creams take 20-30 minutes to relieve localized pain when applied to the skin.
To experience the anxiolytic and sleep-enhancing benefits of passion flower, take it about 45-60 minutes before periods of high anxiety or before bedtime. The effects last for several hours.
Consistent daily supplementation provides maximum stress-relieving effects. When using for sleep aid, allow 1-2 weeks for full benefits to manifest since sleep patterns take time to improve.
Passion extract has traditionally been used for its soothing and calming properties. Modern research is now catching up and validating some of its touted health benefits related to lowering anxiety, improving sleep quality, aiding digestion, and reducing high blood pressure. However, larger scale human clinical trials are still needed to further confirm the efficacy and safety of passion flower supplementation. When taken in the proper doses and forms, passion flower extract appears to be generally well-tolerated by most healthy adults. As with any herbal supplement, it's important to be mindful of potential side effects and interactions with medications when using passion flower. Consulting a doctor before use is advised, especially if pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking prescription drugs. If you are considering incorporating passion flower extract into your wellness regimen, be sure to obtain high quality supplements from reputable sources.
BotanicalCube Inc. is a qualified passion flower extract supplier. If you have the need to purchase this product or other related products, please feel free to contact sales@botanicalcube.com for more information. BotanicalCube is a high-quality supplier and member of the Plant Extract Industry Association. With advanced technology, compliant production facilities, and expertise in sourcing over 200 varieties of plant extracts, BotanicalCube can ensure stable supplies of top-quality herbal extracts for dietary supplements, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic manufacturers worldwide.
References:
1. Miroddi, M., Calapai, F., Navarra, M., Minciullo, P. L., & Gangemi, S. (2015). Passiflora incarnata L.: ethnopharmacology, clinical application, safety and evaluation of clinical trials. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 170, 290-304.
2. Miyasaka, L. S., Atallah, Á. N., & Soares, B. G. (2006). Passiflora for anxiety disorder. Cochrane database of systematic reviews, (1).
3. Ngan, A., & 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), 1153-1159.
4. Dhawan, K., Dhawan, S., & Sharma, A. (2004). Passiflora: a review update. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 94(1), 1-23.
5. Shinjyo, N., & Waddell, G. (2013). Kamishoyosan and other herbal medicines regulate cortisol levels and behavioral effects induced by chronic stress in experimental models of depression and anxiety. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 18(4), 284-290.