Herbal spotlight: Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

Feeling the Summer buzz or the burnout?  Try a calming cup of Passionflower tea

Passionflower is a delicate climbing plant with a long history of soothing the nervous system and supporting restful sleep. Its calming properties are backed by traditional use and emerging science, making it beneficial for those navigating stress, anxiety, restlessness, or simply wanting to unwind. It’s aromatic compounds also interact directly with the sensory nervous system, helping to calm the mind and ease mental tension

Constituents, Actions & Therapeutic Uses for calming

Constituent	Action in the Body	Conditions Supported
Flavonoids (e.g. vitexin, isovitexin, apigenin)	Sedative, anxiolytic, antioxidant	Anxiety Insomnia Nervous tension Stress-related disorders
Alkaloids (e.g. harmine, harman)	Mild MAO inhibition, mood-enhancing	Low mood Emotional overwhelm Menopausal mood swings ADHD support (adjunct)
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)	Increases relaxation by enhancing inhibitory signals in the brain	Insomnia Racing thoughts Restlessness Generalised anxiety
Cumarins & Maltol	Mild sedative and calming effects	Difficulty switching off Stress-related sleep issues Panic episodes (mild support)
Phenolic acids	Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant	Chronic stress inflammation Gut-brain axis tension Immune support under stress

Other uses

Digestive system

The antispasmodic properties help relax muscular tension particularly in the gut. Therefore useful for easing symptoms like bloating, cramps, reflux, colic and intestinal spasms, which are often stress-related.

Cardiovascular system

By supporting the nervous system and calming the stress response, it acts as a natural hypotensive to lower blood pressure and helps the heart to beat more gently and rhythmically.

Respiratory system

Can also be helpful in cases of spasmodic asthma and even whooping cough, due to its antispasmodic effects.

Julia’s SereniTEA  blend

Beneficial at any time of day and gentle enough for winding down after a busy day to help promote sleep.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp dried Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

• 1 tsp dried Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)

• 1 tsp of dried Skullcap ( Scutellaria lateriflora)

Method:

• Mix herbs in a teapot or infuser.

• Pour over 250 ml of boiling water.

• Steep for 10–15 minutes, strain, and enjoy warm.

• Optional: sweeten with a drop of honey or add a fruit slice

Contraindications

• Avoid in pregnancy or breastfeeding.

• May enhance the effects of sedatives, anti-anxiety or sleep medications.  Check with your doctor.

• Not suitable for those with low blood pressure if used in high doses.

Over to you

Will you incorporate passionflower into your Increase Calm tool Kit?  We’d love to hear how.

Always check with a health professional before taking herbs