Mood/Sleep

Passionflower

Herbal extract from Passiflora incarnata used traditionally to ease anxiety and improve sleep quality in adults with mild-to-moderate symptoms.

Passionflower

Herbal extract from Passiflora incarnata used traditionally to ease anxiety and improve sleep quality in adults with mild-to-moderate symptoms.

score

evidence

Caution

risk

Proven Benefits

01Reduces anxiety symptoms

02Improves sleep quality

03May reduce opiate withdrawal sympto

Chemical Forms

Recommended

Passiflora incarnata extract
Passionflower herb/tea
Passionflower liquid extract

Avoid

Passiflora edulis or unstudied species
Raw herb of unspecified species

Expert Note

Passiflora incarnata is the species most studied clinically. Standardized extracts ensure consistent levels of flavonoids such as vitexin and isoorientin, which are linked to GABAergic activity. Other species lack equivalent clinical validation.

Protocol

Amount

400-800 mg

Frequency

Once or twice daily, or 1-2 hours before bed

When

30-60 minutes before bedtime for sleep; for anxiety, split into morning and evening doses with food.

Condition-Based Dosing

Mild to moderate generalized anxiety

400-800 mg daily of standardized extract for 4-8 weeks— Reassess symptoms after 4 weeks; adjust or discontinue if no improvement.

Sleep-onset insomnia

500-1000 mg 30-60 minutes before bed— Start with the lower dose to assess next-day grogginess.

Safety & Limits

Upper Safe Limit

No established UL; clinical trials have used up to 800 mg/day of extract without serious adverse effects.

Cycling

Safe for continuous use

Contraindications

Pregnancy and breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; traditional texts suggest uterine stimulant risk

Scheduled surgery — discontinue 2 weeks before due to potential CNS depression

Sedative medications such as benzodiazepines — additive sedation

Synergies

Magnesium

Magnesium supports GABA activity, potentially complementing passionflower's anxiolytic effects.

Melatonin

Both promote sleep onset via different mechanisms; may be combined for refractory insomnia.

Avoid Combining With

✕CNS depressants including benzodiazepines (increases sedation)
✕Alcohol (adds drowsiness and impairment risk)
✕Caffeine (may counteract sedative effects)

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