Apricot vine, banana passion fruit (P. mollissima), Calmanervin (combination product), Compoz (combination product), corona de cristo, EUP, Euphytose (combination product), Fleischfarbige, fleur de la passion, flor de passion, granadilla, grenadille, Jamaican honeysuckle (P. laurifolia), madre selva, maypops, Naturest, passiflora, passionflower, passion vine, Passionsblume, purple passion flower, Sedacalm, water lemon, wild passion flower.
Natural Standard assigns a letter grade for indications based on the quality of available scientific evidence (view Grading Rationale). Letter grades have the following meaning:
- Strong scientific evidence for this use; - Good scientific evidence for this use; - Unclear scientific evidence for this use; - Fair scientific evidence against this use (it may not work); - Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likely does not work).
Uses based on scientific evidence Scale

Grading Rationale
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified health provider.
Sedation (agitation, anxiety, insomnia)

Passion flower has a long history of use for symptoms of restlessness, anxiety, or agitation. There is preliminary evidence in support of these uses from animal research and from poor-quality human studies. Better research is needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn.
The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited study. They have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Anti-seizure, anti-spasm, asthma, anti-bacterial, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), burns (skin), cancer, chronic pain, congestive heart failure (exercise ability), hemorrhoids, high blood pressure, insomnia, nerve pain, pain (general), menopausal symptoms (hot flashes), gastrointestinal discomfort (“nervous stomach”), tension, wrinkle prevention.

The below doses are based on scientific research, publications, traditional use, or expert opinion. Many herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested, and safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients, even within the same brand. The below doses may not apply to all products. You should read product labels, and discuss doses with a qualified healthcare provider before starting therapy.

Standardization
Standardization involves measuring the amount of certain chemicals in products to try to make different preparations similar to each other. It is not always known if the chemicals being measured are the “active” ingredients. While there is no widely accepted standardization for passion flower, the flavonoid components have been used for standardization in some commercial products.

Adults (18 years and older)

General: Safety and effectiveness have not been established for any dose. There are no standard or well-studied doses of passion flower. Different preparations and doses have been used traditionally.

Dried herb: 0.5 to 2 grams taken 3 to 4 times daily by mouth has been used.
Tincture (1:8): 1 to 4 milliliters taken 3 to 4 times daily by mouth has been used.

Tea: Tea made from 4 to 8 grams of dried herb, taken daily has been used.

Infusion: 2.5 grams has been used 3 to 4 times daily.

Children (younger than 18 years)

There is not enough scientific data to recommend passion flower for use in children at any dose.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Allergies

Hypersensitivity reaction with urticaria (hives) and skin blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis), as well as occupational asthma with runny nose, have been reported with the use of passion flower products.

Side Effects and Warnings
Passion flower is generally considered to be a safe herb, with few reported serious adverse events. In cases of side effects, the products being used have rarely been tested for contamination (which may have been the cause). There is a report of children in Costa Rica who died from eating passiflora fruit (P. adenopoda) due to cyanide poisoning, derived from a substance (cyanogenic B-glycoside) in the fruit. However, in other studies, these substances (cyanogenic alkaloids) have not been found in passiflora fruit.

Rapid heart rate and rhythm, nausea, and vomiting have been reported. Side effects may also include drowsiness/sedation and mental slowing. Use caution if you are driving or operating heavy machinery.

Passion flower may theoretically increase the risk of bleeding and alter blood tests that measure blood clotting (international normalized ratio or “INR”).

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

There is not enough scientific evidence to recommend the safe use of passion flower in any dose during pregnancy or breastfeeding. During the 1930s, animal studies found uterine stimulant action in components of Passiflora.

Many tinctures contain high levels of alcohol, and should be avoided during pregnancy.

Most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested for interactions with other herbs, supplements, drugs, or foods. The interactions listed below are based on reports in scientific publications, laboratory experiments, or traditional use. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy.

Interactions with Drugs

Certain substances (harmala alkaloids) with monoamine oxidase inhibitory (MAOI) action have been found in small amounts in some species of Passiflora. Although levels of these substances may be too low to be cause noticeable effects, in theory, use of passion flower with MAOI drugs may cause additive effects. MAOI drugs include Isocarboxazid (Marplan®), phenelzine (Nardil®), and tranylcypromine (Parnate®).

Based on animal research, use of passion flower with alcohol or other sedative-hypnotic drugs may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some drugs. Examples include benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan®) or diazepam (Valium®), barbiturates such as phenobarbital, narcotics such as codeine, some antidepressants, and alcohol. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery.

Passionflower may in theory increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (“blood thinners”) such as warfarin (Coumadin®) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogel (Plavix®), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) or naproxen (Naprosyn®, Aleve®). Literature review reveals no reported cases of significant bleeding in humans with passion flower.

Many tinctures contain high levels of alcohol, and may cause nausea or vomiting when taken with metronidazole (Flagyl®) or disulfiram (Antabuse®).

Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements
Certain substances (harmala alkaloids) with monoamine oxidase inhibitory (MAOI) action have been found in small amounts in some species of Passiflora. Although levels of these substances may be too low to be cause noticeable effects, in theory, use of passion flower with herbs or supplements with MAOI activity may cause additive effects. Herbs and supplements with possible MAOI activity include 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan), California poppy, chromium, DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone), DLPA (DL Phenylalanine), ephedra, evening primrose oil, fenugreek, Ginkgo biloba, hops, mace, St. John’s wort, SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine), sepia, tyrosine, valerian, vitamin B6, and yohimbe bark extract. In theory, use of passion flower with caffeine, guarana, or ephedra (Ma huang) may cause an increased risk of elevated blood pressure.

Based on animal research, use of passion flower with sedative-hypnotic herbs or supplements may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some herbs or supplements. Examples include: calamus, calendula, California poppy, capsicum, catnip, celery, couch grass, dogwood, elecampane, German chamomile, goldenseal, gotu kola, hops, kava (may help sleep without drowsiness), lavender aromatherapy, lemon balm, sage, sassafras, skullcap, shepherd’s purse, Siberian ginseng, St. John’s wort, stinging nettle, valerian, wild carrot, wild lettuce, withania root, and yerba mansa. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery.

Passionflower may in theory increase the risk of bleeding when taken with herbs or supplements that increase the risk of bleeding. Multiple cases of bleeding have been reported with the use of Ginkgo biloba, and fewer cases with garlic and saw palmetto. Numerous other agents may theoretically increase the risk of bleeding, although this has not been proven in most cases. Some examples include: alfalfa, American ginseng, angelica, anise, Arnica montana, asafetida, aspen bark, bilberry, birch, black cohosh, bladderwrack, bogbean, boldo, borage seed oil, bromelain, capsicum, cat’s claw, celery, chamomile, chaparral, clove, coleus, cordyceps, danshen, devil’s claw, dong quai, evening primrose, fenugreek, feverfew, flaxseed/flax powder (not a concern with flaxseed oil), ginger, grapefruit juice, grapeseed, green tea, guggul, gymnestra, horse chestnut, horseradish, licorice root, lovage root, male fern, meadowsweet, nordihydroguairetic acid (NDGA), onion, papain, panax ginseng, parsley, poplar, prickly Ash, propolis, quassia, red clover, reishi, Siberian ginseng, sweet clover, rue, sweet birch, sweet clover, turmeric, vitamin E, white willow, wild carrot, wild lettuce, willow, wintergreen, and yucca. Literature review reveals no reported cases of clinically significant bleeding in humans with passion flower.

Interactions with Foods
Certain substances (harmala alkaloids) with monoamine oxidase inhibitory (MAOI) action have been found in small amounts in some species of Passiflora. Although levels of these substances may be too low to be cause noticeable effects, in theory, use of passion flower with tyramine/tryptophan containing foods may cause an increased risk of dangerously high blood pressure (hypertensive crisis). These include protein foods that have been aged/preserved. Specific examples of foods are anchovies, avocados, bananas, bean curd, beer (alcohol-free/reduced), caffeine (large amounts), caviar, champagne, cheeses (particularly aged, processed, or strong varieties), chocolate, dry sausage/salami/bologna, fava beans, figs, herring (pickled), liver (particularly chicken), meat tenderizers, papaya, protein extracts/powder, raisins, shrimp paste, sour cream, soy sauce, wine (particularly chianti), yeast extracts, and yogurt.

This entry was posted on Monday, September 14th, 2009 at 6:36 am and is filed under Herb & Supplements Interaction, Herbs, Pharmacologic & Biological, Vitamins & Minerals. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.