What is Passion Flower Extract?
The passion flower is part of the Passiflora family, which includes the passion fruit. It’s a creeping vine. White flowers dotted with purple colors with orange berries on the vine. It’s tropical-looking, as an elegant flower that eventually transforms into a large, fleshy fruit. People have used it since the early 16th century for medicinal purposes. The Native Americans and Mexico’s Aztecs used it as a sedative. (x)
Today, you can take the extract by mouth for sleep problems, anxiety issues, adjustment disorder, ADHD, pain and even heart failure. People also use it as a flavoring for food and beverages. Moreover, you can apply it directly to the skin for hemorrhoids, burns and swelling. Although it is entirely natural, it’s not considered an over-the-counter supplement. Overall, it’s mainly known for its calming, sleep-inducing and muscle spasm relieving effects.
Where Does Passion Flower Come From?
The passion flower is native to Central and South America and the southeastern United States. First discovered by the Peruvians and later adopted by Spanish explorers. (x) Its name came from the final period of Jesus’ life, “the Passion.” The Spanish conquistadors saw religious symbols in the flowers on the vine. They thought the middle of the flower represented the crown of thorns around the head of Jesus at the crucifixion. The tendrils represent whips. The five stamens are his wounds. The number of petals represents the ten faithful apostles. (x)
People still use the herb in many parts of the world today for a variety of purposes, and the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy approved the plant for medicinal applications, such as tension and irritability. The passion flower is on several national pharmacopeia lists as a drug plant. (x)
What Is Passion Flower Extracted?
Like other flower and plant type supplements, only parts of the entire plant end up as the extraction. However, in the case of the passion flower, most of the plant (at least the parts that grow above ground) is usable, including the stem, leaves, and flower buds. For the most potency, then it’s typically harvested in the early stage of flowering. The components go through being rolled, pressed, steamed, boiled and combined with a liquid to create the extract. The extract is fragrant and used topically or orally and added to food or beverages.
Passion Flower Extract Benefits
For centuries, the plant proved helpful in many different health concerns such as whooping cough, painful menstruation, diarrhea, asthma and seizures. Today, passion flowers may help with many health concerns. Confer with your physician before starting a new supplement or herb to ensure no harmful side effects. Some benefits passion flower may offer you include: (x)
- Anxiety Relief
There are many anxieties you might experience, which is entirely normal. They are anxious before going into surgery, daily anxiety, anxiety before taking a test or performing at work. Most anxiety stems from environmental toxins, such as heavy metals. (x) Whichever kind of anxiety you face, passion flower extract could help you.
Scientists gave 63 individuals passion flower extract when they were about to undergo dental surgery. They found that it significantly decreased anxiety without side effects, sedation or effects on muscle activity. (x) A similar study compared the typically used benzodiazepine “oxazepam” for generalized anxiety disorder. Ultimately, they found both treatments were equally effective, with the oxazepam working faster, but the passion flower has fewer harmful side effects. (x) Psychotropic drugs are dangerous to your health and well-being. It’s best to find alternatives that work, like passion flowers, instead of doing you harm. (x)
- Calming Effect
Passion flower extract has an overall calming effect on the mind and other parts of the body. It is because of its ability to boost gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in your body. Studies have observed its overall calming effects, allowing sleep to occur more quickly, calming the intestines during an upset stomach and enhancing one’s overall mood. (x)
- Therapeutic Potential for Parkinson’s Disease
Research shows the possibility of passion flower extract has neuroprotective properties and antioxidant-related effects. (x) Based on an extensive study performed on mice, the extract potentially produces positive impacts on those with Parkinson’s Disease. (x)
Passion flower contains large amounts of harmine and harmaline, which research from 1928 reported is effective against Parkinson’s Disease. Three Parkinson’s patients proved to improve dramatically after receiving harmine-type injections. (x)
- Anti-Cancer Properties
A study reported passion flower extract neutralized cancer in mice. Additional research conducted reports positive results against cancer. (x)
Passion flower contains high levels of apigenin. Apigenin is one of the highest-rated bioactive flavones, having antioxidant properties and preventing certain cancers. Laboratory research demonstrates that apigenin holds anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. (x)
- Improve Cardiovascular Health Concerns
As mentioned above, the flower contains high amounts of apigenin. Apigenin also helps improve cardiovascular health conditions. (x)
An extract involving passion flower and hawthorn has proven as a possible solution for shortness of breath and those who have difficulty exercising with congestive heart failure. (x)
- Helps Relieve Coughs
Traditionally, records show that passion flowers over the centuries helped relieve coughs. From a naturopathic perspective, it’s one of the most effective extracts against respiratory diseases, such as COVID-19. (x)As mentioned earlier, passion flower has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant components, which are effective against respiratory diseases. (x)
Other Passion Flower Benefits and Uses
When most people think of calming, they think of sleep, so it is no surprise that another benefit of passion flower extract is improving your sleep. The research concludes that one can use it as an effective sleep inducer. (x)
While there are prescription and over-the-counter drugs available to induce sleep, side effects of these medications can include amnesia, hallucinations, sleepwalking and increased risk for depression. On the other hand, the flower has the same effects as “Z” drugs, but without the undesired side effects. (x)
Passion Flower Extract Dosage
When supplementing with passion flower extract, take 1,000 mg daily with food or as directed by a physician. Talk to a doctor before adding this supplement to your regimen, however, and be sure to follow their specific instructions.
Where to Buy Passion Flower Extract Supplement?
You can purchase passion flower extract at BulkSupplements.com. The company is an industry-leading manufacturer and distributor of pure dietary supplements.
BulkSupplements.com is not just a consumer brand. It also supplies pure ingredients to other food and supplement brands to make their products. All products at BulkSupplements.com are manufactured and tested according to current and proper manufacturing practices.
Are you interested in trying the passion flower extract supplement mentioned in this article as a possible solution to helping you with insomnia, stress, congestion and overall health? Contact BulkSupplements.com to place an order today.
Passion Flower Side Effects
Side effects can happen when taking any form of supplement. Going over the side effects of taking passion flowers with your physician is a good idea. Most likely, you will not experience any adverse reaction. Just to be cautious, some side effects include:
Drowsiness, Dizziness and Confusion
Although passion flowers rarely cause hallucinations or depression, the supplement has some side effects of its own. The most common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness and confusion. It is most likely because of the effects of significantly calming the mind and body. It would be best if you were mindful of this when taking it. Avoid this supplement if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or before surgery. Always consult your doctor first, even before using it in an herbal tea. (x)
Interactions With Passion Flower Extract
With any supplement you plan on taking, it’s best to consult a doctor or medical practitioner and see if specific interactions with the medicines you take may harm your overall well-being.
Sedative Medications
As if the the flower isn’t sleepy and calming enough, it is best not to take it with other sedative medications. In addition to calming the mind, it may cause sleepiness, dizziness or drowsiness, which means in combination with sedatives, you may become too sleepy.
Some common sedatives to consider avoiding with passion flower are Nembutal, Luminal, Seconal, Klonopin, Ativan, and Ambien. Before taking any medication or herbal supplement, always consult with your doctor first.
Why Take Passion Flower Extract?
Simply put, the passion flower gives you peace of mind and settles the nerves in the body. The flower is calming and sleep-inducing, giving your mind a much-needed break. Combined with other herbal remedies and supplements, the flower could also create an even deeper, restorative sleep and sense of relaxation. If you experience stress from work, have trouble sleeping or experience daily anxiety from several triggers, consider taking passion flower. It’s best to stay with the more natural approach to stress than consume mind-altering drugs that create devastating side effects to your body and mind. (x)
The Bottom Line
Passion flower medicinal attributes have historically proven effective in treating many health concerns. The herb is still used for many health purposes today, with health institutes and scientific foundations supporting its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-cancer properties.
The passion flower is on many pharmacopeias lists as a drug plant since it can treat several health conditions — your heart, lungs, and nerves. Your whole body can reap its many benefits. For centuries, its uses proved successful, and there’s a reason for that. Consider adding this supplement to your daily regimen to reap its rewards.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
