- What is oral passion flower (Passiflora incarnata)? What are the uses for oral passion flower?
- What are the side effects of oral passion flower (Passiflora incarnata)?
- What is the dosage for oral passion flower (Passiflora incarnata)?
- Which drugs or supplements interact with oral passion flower (Passiflora incarnata)?
- Is oral passion flower (Passiflora incarnata) safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
- What else should I know about oral passion flower (Passiflora incarnata)?
What is oral passion flower (Passiflora incarnata)? What are the uses for oral passion flower?
Passion flower is a 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.
What brand names are available for oral passion flower (Passiflora incarnata)?
Apricot Vine, Passion Vine, Water Lemon, and many others
Is oral passion flower (Passiflora incarnata) available as a generic drug?
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
Do I need a prescription for oral passion flower (Passiflora incarnata)?
No
What is the dosage for oral passion flower (Passiflora incarnata)?
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.
Which drugs or supplements interact with oral passion flower (Passiflora incarnata)?
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.

QUESTION
According to the USDA, there is no difference between a “portion” and a “serving.” See AnswerIs oral passion flower (Passiflora incarnata) safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
It is not known whether passion flower enters breast milk; therefore, it is best to avoid using it while nursing.
What else should I know about oral passion flower (Passiflora incarnata)?
What preparations of oral passion flower (Passiflora incarnata) are available?
Passion flower is available in tablets, dried extract, liquid extract, and tincture formulations.
How should I store oral passion flower (Passiflora incarnata)?
There are several formulations and manufacturers of passion flower. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
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Summary
Passion flower or Passiflora incarnata (Apricot Vine, Passion Vine, Water Lemon, and many others) is an herbal supplement commonly purported to treat anxiety disorders, trouble sleeping, upset stomach, irregular heartrate, high blood pressure, burns, and hemorrhoids. Side effects, drug interactions, dosage, storage, and pregnancy safety should be reviewed prior to using this supplement.
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Hemorrhoids (Internal and External)
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High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a disease in which pressure within the arteries of the body is elevated. About 75 million people in the US have hypertension (1 in 3 adults), and only half of them are able to manage it. Many people do not know that they have high blood pressure because it often has no has no warning signs or symptoms. Systolic and diastolic are the two readings in which blood pressure is measured. The American College of Cardiology released new guidelines for high blood pressure in 2017. The guidelines now state that blood normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. If either one of those numbers is higher, you have high blood pressure. The American Academy of Cardiology defines high blood pressure slightly differently. The AAC considers 130/80 mm Hg. or greater (either number) stage 1 hypertension. Stage 2 hypertension is considered 140/90 mm Hg. or greater. If you have high blood pressure you are at risk of developing life threatening diseases like stroke and heart attack.REFERENCE: CDC. High Blood Pressure. Updated: Nov 13, 2017.
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Panic Attacks
Panic attacks are sudden feelings of terror that strike without warning. These episodes can occur at any time, even during sleep. A person experiencing a panic attack may believe that he or she is having a heart attack or that death is imminent. The fear and terror that a person experiences during a panic attack are not in proportion to the true situation and may be unrelated to what is happening around them. Most people with panic attacks experience several of the following symptoms: racing heartbeat, faintness, dizziness, numbness or tingling in the hands and fingers, chills, chest pains, difficulty breathing, and a feeling of loss or control. There are several treatments for panic attacks.
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Anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension and fear characterized by symptoms such as trouble concentrating, headaches, sleep problems, and irritability. Anxiety disorders are serious medical illnesses that affect approximately 19 million American adults. Treatment for anxiety may incorporate medications and psychotherapy.
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Burns
Burn types are based on their severity: first-degree burns, second-degree burns, and third-degree burns. First-degree burns are similar to a painful sunburn. The damage is more severe with second-degree burns, leading to blistering and more intense pain. The skin turns white and loses sensation with third-degree burns. Burn treatment depends upon the burn location, total burn area, and intensity of the burn.
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Mental Health
Mental health is an optimal way of thinking, relating to others, and feeling. All of the diagnosable mental disorders fall under the umbrella of mental illness. Depression, anxiety, and substance-abuse disorders are common types of mental illness. Symptoms and signs of mental illness include irritability, moodiness, insomnia, headaches, and sadness. Treatment may involve psychotherapy and medication.
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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
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Agoraphobia
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Treatment & Diagnosis

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MedlinePlus. Passionflower.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Passionflower.