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Passionflower
Safety, Side Effects &
Interactions
Use
passionflower safely. Get its benefits and avoid the allergies and
interactions. Make proper and informed choice with herbs.
FDA Status:
Formerly passionflower enjoyed the over-the-counter sedative role
for Insomnia. Later in 1978, FDA banned it due to lack of proven effectiveness.
It was mainly because no big company came forward to do substantial research on
this plant. Its leaves are generally classified as GRAS, 'Generally
regarded as safe' by the FDA.
Even in Germany, it is approved by Commission E
and it is available as OTC
product. Now professional herbalist use it with other herbs like valerian and
lemon balm. There are several European Monographs for this medicinal herb and it
is regarded safe even for children and infants.
Current Status Of
Research On Passionflower:
Most of the research on passionflower were done
on animals (For antispasmodic and sedative properties). Further its extract show
some antifungal and antibacterial property. Full fledged clinical research on
this plant is absent. In European countries, several studies were done on this
plant along with other herbs. Some of the studies were done alone, but they are
of poor quality.
Cautions With
Passionflower Use:
Passionflower contain some harman alkaloids. Therefore its
preparations in Germany can't have harman alkaloids more than 0.01%. Harman
alkaloids reduce the antidepressant effect of MAO inhibitors. Plus the
beneficial flavonoids should be at least 0.8% in its preparation in
Germany.
Passionflower's Safety:
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It is approved by Commission E in Germany.
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At normal recommended dosage, it showed no Side effects.
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It is not evaluated for pregnant, breast feeding ladies. Some studies show
that it can stimulate the uterus. Besides tincture preparations contain
alcohol.
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It is not evaluated for young children.
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It is not evaluated for Kidney failure patients.
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Patients, who are taking sedatives or antidepressant medicine, should
consult their herbalist before starting it.
Side Effects Of
Passionflower:
All symptoms stop after stopping the use of the herb.
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Drowsiness or sedation -
Use caution if you are driving or operating machinery after taking it.
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Some persons taking tincture
complained of nausea and vomiting. Perhaps it was due to the alcohol in the
tincture.
-
One person reported Ventricular
tachycardia (Abnormally increased heart rate)
Allergies With
Passionflower:
Any kind of allergies have rarely been noticed.
Difficulty in breathing, irritated sinuses, skin rashes, and red streaks over
skin (Vasculitis) are some of the symptoms of the allergy. However if someone
develops the allergy, stop taking it and consult the doctor. (Want
to Know more about Allergies... and the symptoms>>>)
Passionflower As A
Climacteric Fruit:
Climacteric is associated with those fruits and vegetables that continue to ripen after the harvest like
passion fruit, banana.
Development of color, flavor and texture come under the process of ripening.
Toxicity Of
Passionflower Use:
Its fruit should be
eaten only when you get it from
the commercial sources like shops and market. There is danger of toxicity in
many of the dangerous species where the fruits are not edible; and in many of
the unripe fruits of edible species. As there are several hundred hybrids so
don't eat fruit by identifying yourself from the field.
Avoid Such
Passionflower Fruits:
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Passiflora caerulea and its hybrid
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P. kermesina - it tastes dreadful.
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P. trisecta - toxic taste
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P. manicata - it possess hallucinogenic properties.
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Over-ripe fruits - even the edible fruits develop very foul smell when
over ripe.
Possibility Of
Interactions With Passionflower:
There is possibility of
increased sedation or low blood pressure with the
following drugs. These studies are done on the animals. These results
are not done on humans. And these reactions are not reported in humans.
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With Sedatives -
Increased Sedation and Low Blood Pressure - passionflower was found to enhance the effect of
Barbiturates like
Phenobarbital, a medicine used to promote sleep and to treat seizures. So it
should be used with them with caution.
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With Anti-histaminics - anti-histaminics like hydroxyzine, diphenhydramine
possess sedative or drowsiness like side effects. Passionflower could increase
this effect. So it should be used with caution. Now, most of the later
anti-histaminics that are popular in use are either without sedative effect or
with only minimal effect. So there is not any possibility of interactions with
these medication.
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With Benzodiazepines - It appears quite startling that passionflower
appeared to work similar to Benzodiazepines, the drug for anxiety. Still some
caution should be exercised with this group of medication.
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With Mono Amine Oxidase
Inhibitors - as tranylcypromine (Parnate).
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With Tricyclic
Antidepressants - as amitryptiline.
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With Selective Serotonin
Reuptake Inhibitors - as fluoxetine.
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With Narcotics - like
Codeine.
Risk Of Bleeding:
There is increased risk of bleeding with use of
passionflower with the following drugs.
-
Anti-coagulant or Anti-platelets
drugs like warfarin, heparin.
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Pain Killers as aspirin,
ibuprofen.
Risk Of Nausea Or
Vomiting:
It was reported when the alcohol containing
tinctures are taken with metronidazole like drugs.
So Caution should be exercised
while driving or operating machinery.
Interactions With Herbs
& Supplements:
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Increasing the drowsiness -
with herbs and supplements causing drowsiness like kava, valerian and with other
supplements that interact with MAO inhibitors, SSRI, Benzodiazepines,
Barbiturates. Some of the substances that are having or suspected to have such
interactions and some MAO inhibiting activity are - 5HTP, California poppy,
Chromium, DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone), DLPA (DL Phenylalanine), Ephedra,
Evening primrose oil, Ginkgo biloba, Hops, Fenugreek, ST. John's wort, Mace,
SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine), Sepia, Tyrosine, Yohimbine bark extract.
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Other sedative or hypnotic
herbs like - Calendula, Calamus, California poppy, Capsicum, Celery, Catnip,
Couch grass, Dogwood, Hops, Gotu kola, Goldenseal, German chamomile, Elecampane,
Lemon balm, Sage, Skullcap, Shepherd's purse, Siberian ginseng, Stinging nettle,
Wild carrot, Wild lettuce, Verba mansa
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Theoretically increased risk of
bleeding - with Ginkgo biloba (more), Garlic and Saw palmetto (less).
Literature reviews reveal no reported case of bleeding with passionflower use.
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There are some other herbs that
can increase the risk of bleeding and this has not been proven in many
instances - Alfalfa, American ginseng, Angelica, Anise, Asafoetida, Arnica,
Aspen bark, Bilberry, Black cohosh, Birch, Bog bean, Boldo, Borage seed oil,
Bladdewrack, Bromelain, Cat's claw, Capsicum, Celery, Clove, Chamomile, Coleus,
Chaparral, Cordyceps, Danshen, Devil's claw, Evening primerose, Fenugreek, Dong
quai, Flax seed, Ginger, Guggula, Gymnestra, Horse chestnut, Horse radish,
Lovage root, Male fern, Meadow sweet, NDGA (Nordihydroguairetic acid), Papain,
Panax ginseng, Parsley, Poplar, Prickly ash, Red clove, Propolis, Quassia, Rue,
Sweet Birch, Sweet clover, Turmeric, Reishi, Siberian ginseng, Wild carrot,
White Willow, Wild lettuce, Willow, Wintergreen, Yucca.
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Theoretically Increased risk of
Elevated Blood Pressure - with Caffeine, Ephedra.
Possibility Of
Interaction With Food:
Use of passionflower with
tryptophan or tyramine containing foods might cause an increased risk of
elevated blood pressure (Hypertensive Crisis). Some of the suspected Protein
foods are - Preserved or aged banana, avocados, bean curd, large amount of
caffeine, caviar, cheese and liver. This might have been in some part due to the
high concentration of preservatives.
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Passion-Flower
(Click Image)
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Use Passionflower For:
- Generalized anxiety disorder.
- Insomnia.
- Adjuvant in seizures, Irritable bowel syndrome, asthma, cough.
- Visit Passionflower related pages on Holistic-Herbalist to get more
information.
- Take one vegicap once a day. Each vegicap contains
Passionflower 200 mg.
Buying Information:
We recommend the interested visitors to get Passion-Flower
supplements from this place. This is a good store, with reputable quality and one of the most
reasonable price. Get a pack of 90 capsules.
BACK TO TOP
Passionflower - The General Information
Benefits & Uses Of Passionflower
Passionflower Clinical Research Based Actions
P. incarnata
- The Clinical Research and Resources
P. incarnata - The Picture and Identification
Passionflower - The Side Effects, Allergies
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