Botanical: Passiflora incarnata (LINN.)
Family: N.O. Passifloraceae

---Synonyms---Passion Vine. Granadilla. Maracoc. Maypops.

The German Commission E therapeutic monograph concluded that Passion Flower is effective “for the treatment of nervous anxiety” and restlessness.

The American Botanical Council has provided an article summarizing the supported uses of Passion Flower. Those uses include “analgesic and sedative properties”, “tranquilizing effects”, “antispasmodic, anxiolytic, and hypotensive activity reported”, “employed as antispasmodics for digestive spasms.”        

Dr. Daniel B. Mowrey, Ph.D. in his book, The Scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine, notes that Passion Flower “is used primarily as a sedative and to calm nerves that get on edge during the periods of hormonal adjustment common to most women.”  Another use is “to relieve pain, an effect that has been demonstrated in laboratory and clinical tests”, citing the studies.  Passion Flower “is often used to induce relaxation and sleep, an effect first experimentally verified in 1920”.

Feather Jones, a clinical herbalist, in her book, Medicinal Herb Handbook, describes Passion Flower as follows: “The anti-spasmodic, sedative and mood elevation qualities have value.”

   A prominent herbalist, David Litell, states that Passion Flower is used for nervous conditions, and for relaxation. 

   A prominent herbalist, Joanne Snow,  describes Passion Flower as “antispasmodic, sedative and anxiolytic”, “is used in nervous stress, restlessness, sleep disorders, anxiety, and neuralgia.”

FDA has not objected to the following claims for Passion Flower: “naturally promotes relaxation”; “supports natural relaxation”; and “used for relaxation and rest.”