Passionflower

Origin and history

The passionflower ( Passiflora incarnata ) originally comes from South America. As a medicinal plant, it was often used as a sedative by Native Americans and also in Brazilian folk medicine. Christian immigrants in South America gave it the name Passiflora (“Passion”) incarnata (“the incarnate”), based on the biblical ordeal, as they associated the flowers with the various symbols of Christ's Passion. At the beginning of the 17th century, passionflower was also introduced to Europe as an ornamental plant. Today, India, Florida, Italy and Spain are the main growing areas for the plant. Fruits obtained from some species of the plant include passion fruit and passion fruit. It is also known as the “king of fruit juices” because it contains the flavor of 130 different fruits. The fruit of the flower contains many minerals and a particularly high vitamin C content.  

Passionflower is often found in tea blends, but also capsules and tablets with passionflower extract. Even though there are over 530 species worldwide today, only Passiflora incarnata is used in preparations.  

The main use of passion flower extracts is for a relaxing, tension and anxiety-relieving effect. The calming effect can not only be found in folk medicine, there are also enough studies that prove it. Passionflower contains a number of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids such as vitexin and isovitexin, which are known for their antioxidant properties. It also contains harmane alkaloids, which contribute to the calming and anti-anxiety effects. The medicinal plant is therefore used for problems falling asleep or to relax before stressful and nervous situations such as, for some, a visit to the dentist. In a study, sleep was examined after passion flower extract and an improvement in sleep efficiency and waking up was found in the test subjects. It is also often used in phytotherapy against tension and irritability, as well as associated back pain and tension or stomach and intestinal problems, as well as for depressive moods, hysteria or asthma. Based on studies, it is also suspected that it has a positive influence on the symptoms of neurological disorders such as ADHD and autism, but more detailed research is required to make clear statements.  

In terms of other health benefits, the plant contains phenols and flavonoids that are known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties.

Possible side effects  

Taking up to 800 mg per day is considered safe. However, it can cause agitation and confusion in some people.  

Pregnant women are advised not to take passionflower as it can cause contractions.  

Passion flower extracts should be taken with caution in certain medical conditions such as liver problems or low blood pressure. Simultaneous intake with sedating medications or alcohol should also be avoided.  

Applications in cosmetics  

Since the substances contained in passionflower are photoprotective with a factor of approximately 15, they are potentially suitable as sunscreen in some cosmetics. The most common use of passionflower and fruits is in skin care products such as face masks, as the extracts protect against collagen and soften the skin.  

Environmental benefit  

In view of environmental protection, the peels of the fruits can adsorb metal ions from wastewater, which can reduce the cost of wastewater treatment in some regions.  

Which AgilNature® products contain passionflower?  

*Nutrient Reference Value = Percentage of the reference value according to Appendix XIII of the Food Information Regulation (EC) No. 1169/2011.  

** No recommendation available.  

Literature:  

1. "Passionflower". National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, US National Institutes of Health. August 2020. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/passionflower (Accessed on January 19, 2024)  
2. Meneses C, Valdes-Gonzalez M, Garrido-Suárez BB, Garrido G. Systematic review on the anxiolytic and hypnotic effects of flower extracts in in vivo pre-clinical studies published from 2010 to 2020. Phytother Res. 2023 May;37(5) :2144-2167.
3. Zhang J, Tao S, Hou G, Zhao F, Meng Q, Tan S. Phytochemistry, nutritional composition, health benefits and future prospects of Passiflora: A review. Food Chem. 2023 Dec 1;428:136825.
4. Janda K, Wojtkowska K, Jakubczyk K, Antoniewicz J, Skonieczna-Żydecka K. Passiflora incarnata in Neuropsychiatric Disorders-A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2020 Dec 19;12(12):3894.
5. Lee J, Jung HY, Lee SI, Choi JH, Kim SG. Effects of Passiflora incarnata Linnaeus on polysomnographic sleep parameters in subjects with insomnia disorder: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2020 Jan;35(1):29-35.
6. Golsorkhi H, Qorbani M, Sabbaghzadegan S, Dadmehr M. Herbal medicines in the treatment of children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): An updated systematic review of clinical trials. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2023 Jul-Aug;13(4):338-353.
7. Amini F, Amini-Khoei H, Haratizadeh S, Setayesh M, Basiri M, Raeiszadeh M, Nozari M. Hydroalcoholic extract of Passiflora incarnata improves the autistic-like behavior and neuronal damage in a valproic acid-induced rat model of autism. J Tradit Complement Med. 2023 Feb 23;13(4):315-324.