2024-08-26 16:00:15
Native Americans used passionflower to treat sleep disorders. Today, it is a popular plant as a supplement against anxiety and stress. Are its health effects real?
Passionflower is also known as love flower, mburucuyá or passionflower. It is a climbing plant from America.
It is easy to distinguish it, thanks to the special shape of the large flowers and its color. They have a complex structure, which includes petals and sepals arranged in several layers, as well as a crown of fine filaments in the center.
Types Passionflower It has about 500 representatives. Passiflora incarnata It is the most studied variety for its possible health benefits. Although positive effects are also attributed to it Passiflora caerulea y eat.
Properties of passionflower
The plant is rich in polyphenols, responsible for the color obtained by preparations made with it. It also contains specific flavonoids, such as vitexin and isovitexin.
In terms of minerals and antioxidants, each variety of the genus Passionflower It has a slightly different composition. Even so, we can say that they all provide potassium, calcium and magnesium.
Thanks to these things, the properties of passionflower, listed in a 2024 scientific revieware the following:
- Hypolipidemic: Both the leaves and fruit of the plant can lower blood cholesterol and triglycerides.
- Antifungal: has activity against fungi Aspergillus fumigatus, A. versicolor, A. Niger, Penicillium funiculosum, P. ochloron y Trichoderma viride.
- Antibacterial: has activity against bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae y Salmonella typhimurium.
- Antihypertensives: Passiflora edulis It has been shown to reduce heart rate and dilate arteries in animal experiments, which will help lower blood pressure.
- Antioxidants: in the skin, stimulates collagen production and reduces photoaging. There is speculation that it may be a useful addition to sunscreens.
- Hepatoprotectors: as part of its antioxidant activity, Passiflora edulis shows the ability to support the detoxification activities carried out by the liver.
- Sedative and anxiolytic: In particular, plant extracts will reduce irritability and nervous tension. Therefore, it will be useful to support the treatment of anxiety symptoms.
- Antidepressants: According to animal research, certain flavonoids may have an action similar to that of monoamine oxidase inhibitor antidepressants.
- Anti-inflammatory: The alcohol content of passionflower is capable of reducing inflammation in various tissues. Above all, we consider its action in the digestive system, against gastritis and colitis.
- Hypoglycemic drugs: + in the leaves of some varieties of Passionflower Compounds that help control blood sugar are isolated. Also, at the same time, they will increase insulin sensitivity.
The benefits of passionflower
Perhaps the use of passionflower against insomnia and anxiety is the most well known. However, there are other anecdotal and popular applications, as well as science-backed benefits.
It is worth explaining that in no case does it replace traditional medical treatments. In some cases, it can be support or assistance, but always with proper medical authority.
It will be very effective in dealing with anxiety
Consuming passionflower can increase gamma-aminobutyric acid levels (GABA) in the brain. This effect occurs because some components of the plant work the same as benzodiazepines, binding to a receptor called GABA-A.
GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter. When in high concentrations, it induces relaxation, so its increase thanks to passionflower results in relief from anxiety.
It is also known as passionflower increase dopamine levels. This is another neurotransmitter associated with anxiety, but also stress and anxiety.
May help you sleep better
The calming effect of the plant makes it ideal as a natural way to combat insomnia. By creating relaxation and increasing the concentration of GABA, you should induce sleep.
We had scientific research published in 2020 investigated the effect of passionflower on sleep with polysomnographies. Within 2 weeks, adults who used the plant lengthened their sleeping hours and woke up less than before. However, the results are not significant.
will lower blood pressure
The potential for controlling blood pressure with passionflower is encouraging. Above all, there are people who suffer from hypertension related to stressful situations.
However, research is still being done on animals. The good news is that the flavonoids in the extracts appears to increase the amount of nitric oxide in the arteries, which is something capable of dilating blood vessels and, therefore, improving circulation.
It will help heal internal wounds
Using passionflower to reduce anxiety will also calm the symptoms of stress felt in the stomach. But there will be more beneficial effects on the food system.
We had published research Indian Journal of Pharmacologywith animals, found to reduce the rate of lesions. That is, it improves their healing, by reducing acidity in the stomach.
They have accepted such effect with variety Passiflora serratodigitata. In any case, More conclusive evidence is needed in humans.
It will help the symptoms of menopause
It has been suggested that Passiflora incarnata can act on three conditions that represent menopause: insomnia, hot flashes and depression. The benefits cannot be attributed to a single species of plant, but rather, It will be a combination of anti-inflammatory, vasomotor and anxiolytic effects.
I will support epilepsy treatment
Some researchers found that The plant has anti-inflammatory effects on the nervous system. This will be useful to fight diseases that affect the inflammation of neurons.
Among them is epilepsy. In animal studies, passionflower demonstrated anticonvulsant activity and even improved the cognitive functions of the analyzed mice.
It can complement the approach to the lack of attention deficit
Passionflower is one of the herbs that shows some kind of benefit in reducing the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. There are also positive effects con Melissa officinalis y Valeriana officinalis.
However, passionflower is not generally recommended for childrendue to the lack of evidence on its protection. Therefore, its use for these cases has only been tested in the field of clinical research.
How is passionflower?
The most common way to use the plant is through the dried leaves to prepare a tea. Although ready-to-give sachets are also sold in health food stores.
Natural ventilation is recommended at night, in order to promote restful sleep. And the appropriate dosage will be from 2.5 grams of herbs, up to 3 times a day.
Other options are water extracts and tinctures. For the former, up to 90 drops per day are recommended, divided into 3 doses. As for tinctures, 180 drops is the safe daily limit.
Local use is not indicated with regular presentations. It can only be applied to the skin when it is part of other cosmetic products and its concentration is low, compared to the rest of the ingredients in the cream or emulsion.
You can also buy capsules of the plant in health food stores. Products usually provide between 250 and 900 mg per serving, but there is no way to confirm how much you get, so we don’t have enough information to establish an adequate intake in this format.
Finally, we must distinguish the flower from its fruit, which is called passion fruit or passion fruit. Its nutritional properties are obtained by direct use, but they cannot be compared to the benefits of passionflower as such.
Side effects and contraindications
This plant is not exempt from adverse reactions to its use. In some people it can cause excessive sleepiness, dizziness, uncoordinated movements, and confusion.
Although it is a safe product for healthy adults, it is contraindicated in pregnant women. This is because can cause uterine contractions. It is also not recommended for breastfeeding or children or adolescents.
Regarding interactions, it is not compatible to use with alcohol or caffeine. You should also know that it can interact with the following drugs:
- Aspirin.
- Barbiturates.
- Antidepressants.
- Anticoagulants.
- The Benzodiazepines.
- Antihistamines.
Passionflower is helpful
A useful supplement can be found in passionflower to support medical treatments against anxiety and insomnia. Its sedative properties are the most studied and confirmed by science.
The remaining materials still need further research. In any case, among healthy adults, its use will be safe and can contribute, to a greater or lesser extent, to control blood pressure values, reduce stomach problems and improve the quality of life in menopause.
Before using passionflower, Consult a healthcare professional to make sure it’s right for you. In addition, you will receive guidance on correct dosages and possible interactions with other treatments you take.
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