Passion flower (Passiflora species) has a long history of use as a traditional medicine. In particular, passion flower is used as a sedative, calmative and anti-anxiety treatment because of its evidenced central nervous system effects. Studies have observed that passion flower extracts, such as those from Passiflora edulis, are able to confer significant anxiolytic effects on animals exposed to experimental stress. In particular, the aerial parts of the plant (leaves, stem and flowers) appear to possess this property. At higher doses, extracts of Passiflora edulis show sedative properties. It has been hypothesised that flavonoids within the extracts may be responsible for the anxiolytic and sedative effects. However, extracts that contain few flavonoids, such as those of aqueous origin, still possess the same pharmacological activity, suggesting that other components within the plant may confer these effects. Therefore although it is not known which components are responsible, passion flower has significant neuropharmacological activity.
Eat Well, Stay Healthy, Protect Yourself
RdB
