passion flower

Passion flower is plant used for making medicine to treat several conditions. Passion flower may have effects that are similar to benzodiazepines (for example diazepam [Valium]) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs (for example, selegiline). Passion flower has calming, sleep inducing, and muscle spasm relieving effects. Check with your health care professional before using herbs or herbal supplements.

Apricot Vine, Passion Vine, Water Lemon, and many others

GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes

No

Common side effects of passion flower are

• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• confusion,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• decreased blood pressure, and
• abnormal heart rate and rhythm.

Children should not be given passion flower without a doctor's supervision and dose adjustment.

Adults

Anxiety disorders

• Liquid extract: Take 45 drops by mouth daily.
• Tablet: Take up 90 mg by mouth daily.

Opiate withdrawal

• Liquid extract: Take 60 drops by mouth daily.

General dosing

• Dried extract: Take 0.25 to 2 grams by mouth three times a day.
• Tea: Take 0.25 to 2 grams extract per 150 ml of water, by mouth two to three times a day and 30 minutes before bedtime.
• Liquid extract: Take 0.5 to 1 ml by mouth three times a day.
• Tincture: Take 0.5 to 2 ml by mouth three times a day.

: Passion flower should be used with caution with sedative medications, like alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), temazepam (Restoril), and zolpidem (Ambien), due to increased risks of excessive sleepiness and sedation.

Passion flower should be used with caution with blood pressure medications like enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), atenolol (Tenormin), amlodipine (Norvasc), and furosemide (Lasix). Passion flower also has blood pressure lowering effects and blood pressure may drop too low in individuals taking blood pressure medications.

Individuals should check with their physicians before using this supplement.

It is not known whether passion flower enters breast milk; therefore, it is best to avoid using it while nursing.

What preparations of passion flower (Passiflora incarnata)-oral are available?

Passion flower is available in tablets, dried extract, liquid extract, and tincture formulations.

How should I keep passion flower (Passiflora incarnata)-oral stored?

There are several formulations and manufacturers of passion flower. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.