Passion Flower

Calming herb that reduces anxiety, promotes relaxation, improves sleep quality, and helps manage stress naturally

Scientific namePassiflora incarnata FormulaComplex flavonoids and alkaloids Molecular weightVariable bioactive compounds g/mol CASVarious natural compounds

70 absorption score

8 safety / 10

25 USD per month

5 documented interactions

Check it against something

Evidence level B

Passion Flower with:

78 out of 100

Works better together Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.

Check it against your whole stack →

What it does

mechanism and evidence for each claim

Anxiety reduction and stress relief

Significantly reduces anxiety symptoms and nervous tension

Increases GABA activity and modulates anxiety neurotransmitters Evidence B-grade 1-4 weeks

Improved sleep quality and relaxation

Promotes restful sleep and helps with sleep onset

GABAergic effects promote relaxation and sleep initiation Evidence B-grade 1-3 weeks

Reduced restlessness and agitation

Calms mind and reduces mental restlessness

Chrysin and other flavonoids have anxiolytic properties Evidence C-grade 1-2 weeks

Blood pressure support

May help maintain healthy blood pressure levels

Relaxation effects and vasodilation may reduce blood pressure Evidence C-grade 2-6 weeks

Muscle tension relief

Helps reduce muscle tension and physical stress

Antispasmodic compounds relax smooth and skeletal muscle Evidence C-grade 1-3 weeks

Others take these for the same thing

Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one

Melatonin Sleep support & circadian rhythm 0.5-3mg A 50% Ashwagandha Stress management & energy 300-600mg A 75% Magnesium Glycinate Superior absorption sleep & muscle support 200-600 mg A 90% L-Theanine Calm focus & stress relief 100-400mg B 90% Glycine Sleep quality & collagen support 3-10g A 95% GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) Natural relaxation & anxiety relief 250-1000mg C 30%

Every pair we checked

12 combinations scored by the engine

Passion Flower + Caffeine Caffeine may counteract calming and anxiety benefits Needs attention 52

Passion Flower + Creatine Monohydrate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Passion Flower + Vitamin D3 No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Passion Flower + Calcium Carbonate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Passion Flower + Whey Protein No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Passion Flower + Lactase No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Passion Flower + Bovine Collagen No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Passion Flower + DHA No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Passion Flower + Turmeric No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Passion Flower + Valerian Root Enhanced sleep and relaxation benefits Works better together 78

Passion Flower + Lemon Balm Enhanced anxiety reduction and calm Works better together 78

Passion Flower + Magnesium Oxide Enhanced muscle relaxation and nervous system calm Works better together 78

Dosage

With meals or before bed

Daily200-400mg

Anxiety relief200-400mg daily

Sleep support200-400mg before bed

Stress management200-400mg daily

Muscle tension200-400mg daily

Before you take it

VeganYes

When to expect it

First Effects1-2 weeks for initial anxiety and sleep benefits

Peak Benefits3-6 weeks for sustained anxiety reduction and relaxation

Deficiency DevelopmentReturn to baseline anxiety and stress levels

Toxicity OnsetRare, mainly with very high doses

How to measure it

Not applicable

MarkerNot routinely tested - monitor anxiety and sleep symptoms

OptimalReduced anxiety scores and improved sleep quality

Deficient belowNot applicable for supplement

FrequencyMonitor anxiety levels and sleep patterns

What people actually reported to the FDA

CAERS, 8 reports naming it as the suspect

Most reported effects

Anxiety 2

Panic attack 2

Atrial flutter 2

Palpitations 2

Atrial fibrillation 1

Named as the suspect 8 reports of 10 that mention it at all

Serious outcome 93% hospitalisation, emergency room or worse

Other Serious or Important Medical Event8

Visited Emergency Room2

Life Threatening1

Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →

What actually reaches you

The label counts the carrier, your body does not

Absorption High 70 of 100 · absorbs well relative to other forms

Delivered daily 210 mg

Cost per 100 mg delivered $0.40 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage

Works better with

3 documented

Valerian Root

Enhanced sleep and relaxation benefits

Both increase GABA activity for calming effects · level B

Lemon Balm

Enhanced anxiety reduction and calm

Both provide GABAergic and calming effects · level B

Magnesium

Enhanced muscle relaxation and nervous system calm

Both support nervous system relaxation · level B

What not to take with Passion Flower

2 documented

Caffeine

Caffeine may counteract calming and anxiety benefits

Stimulants oppose relaxation effects · moderate significance

Alcohol

May enhance sedative effects

Both depress central nervous system · moderate significance

Medication interactions

Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining

sedatives-sleep-medications Moderate

May enhance sedative effects

What to do: Monitor for excessive sedation

anti-anxiety-medications Moderate

May enhance anti-anxiety effects

What to do: Monitor for enhanced effects

blood-pressure-medications Minor

May enhance blood pressure lowering effects

What to do: Monitor blood pressure

Available forms

bioavailability compared

Standardized Passion Flower Extract (3.5% flavonoids) 75

Whole Herb Extract 70

Dried Herb Powder 60

Passion Flower Tea 50

Standardized Passion Flower Extract (3.5% flavonoids): Standardized potency, Research backed, Consistent effects, Quality controlled

Whole Herb Extract: Complete spectrum, Traditional form, Multiple compounds, More affordable

Dried Herb Powder: Traditional form, Complete plant, Lower cost, Natural

Passion Flower Tea: Traditional preparation, Relaxing ritual, Affordable, Pleasant taste

Food sources

before you supplement

Fresh passion flower Traditional preparation for tea · 45

Passion flower extract supplements 200-400mg per capsule · 70-75

Passion flower tea Made from dried herb, mild effects · 50

Passion fruit Different species, minimal therapeutic compounds · N/A

Too little

deficiency signs

Not essential - but symptoms addressed by passion flower:
Chronic anxiety and nervousness
Stress and feeling overwhelmed
Difficulty relaxing and unwinding
Sleep problems and restlessness
Muscle tension and spasms
Agitation and irritability

Too much

toxicity signs

Generally safe but potential effects:
Drowsiness and sedation
Nausea and stomach upset
Dizziness with high doses
Generally very well tolerated

Who benefits most

anxiety-nervousness

Excellent for reducing anxiety and nervous tension

200-400mg daily

stress-management-overwhelm

Effective for managing stress and feeling overwhelmed

200-400mg daily

sleep-problems-restlessness

Helps with sleep onset and reducing bedtime restlessness

200-400mg before bed

muscle-tension-spasms

May help reduce muscle tension and spasms

200-400mg daily

high-blood-pressure-stress

May help with stress-related blood pressure elevation

200-400mg daily

Where to buy it

compare forms first

Look for Passion Flower at 200-400mg per serving. The form that matters here is Standardized Passion Flower Extract (3.5% flavonoids).

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What else affects it

Beyond other supplements

Alcohol

May enhance sedative effects

Both depress central nervous system

How it works

Increases GABA neurotransmitter activity for calming effects
Chrysin flavonoid binds to benzodiazepine receptors
Modulates dopamine and serotonin for mood effects
Antispasmodic compounds relax smooth muscle
May inhibit monoamine oxidase reducing anxiety
Adenosine receptor interaction promotes sleepiness

Key findings

what the evidence supports

Good evidence for anxiety reduction comparable to benzodiazepines
Effective for sleep support and relaxation
Generally safe with minimal side effects
German Commission E approved for nervousness and insomnia

Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02

Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →

Common questions

What are the benefits of Passion Flower?

Documented effects: Anxiety reduction and stress relief; Improved sleep quality and relaxation; Reduced restlessness and agitation; Blood pressure support. Significantly reduces anxiety symptoms and nervous tension

How much Passion Flower should you take per day?

The common daily range is 200-400mg. By goal — anxiety relief: 200-400mg daily; sleep support: 200-400mg before bed; stress management: 200-400mg daily; muscle tension: 200-400mg daily.

When is the best time to take Passion Flower?

With meals or before bed. First effects are typically reported within 1-2 weeks for initial anxiety and sleep benefits.

What are the side effects of Passion Flower?

At excessive doses: Generally safe but potential effects:, Drowsiness and sedation, Nausea and stomach upset, Dizziness with high doses, Generally very well tolerated. Safety rating at normal doses is 8 out of 10.

What should you not take with Passion Flower?

Separate it from Caffeine, Alcohol by two to four hours. Caffeine may counteract calming and anxiety benefits

Does Passion Flower interact with medications?

Documented interactions with sedatives-sleep-medications, anti-anxiety-medications, blood-pressure-medications. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.

How do you know if you need Passion Flower?

The marker is Not routinely tested - monitor anxiety and sleep symptoms, optimal range Reduced anxiety scores and improved sleep quality. Common deficiency signs: Not essential - but symptoms addressed by passion flower:, Chronic anxiety and nervousness, Stress and feeling overwhelmed, Difficulty relaxing and unwinding.

Taken for

28 Sleep & Stress

Melatonin · Magnesium Glycinate · Ashwagandha