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Passion flower, usually Passiflora incarnata, is a climbing vine native to the southeastern United States and Central and South America that has a long history as a traditional calming herb. It shows up today in teas, tinctures, capsules and many nighttime blends. The short answer on the evidence: a small amount of research suggests it might ease anxiety symptoms, including before surgery or dental work, and might lengthen total sleep time, but the studies are few, short and varied, and the National Institutes of Health says conclusions are not definite. It can cause drowsiness, should not be used in pregnancy and should be stopped before surgery. Here is what the studies tested and what to check on a label.
Peptide Labs sells two nighttime products that list passion flower in a blend, described below by their label facts only. This article does not recommend any product and is general information, not medical advice.
Key Takeaways
- Supplements use Passiflora incarnata, also called passionflower or maypop.
- NCCIH says a small amount of research suggests it might reduce anxiety symptoms, but conclusions are not definite.
- Sleep findings are mixed: total sleep time improved in some studies, but not other sleep measures.
- Drowsiness, dizziness and confusion are the main reported side effects.
- Avoid it during pregnancy and stop it before surgery unless your care team says otherwise.
- In most products it sits inside a proprietary blend, so the amount is not disclosed.
What is passion flower?
Passion flower is a fast-growing vine with striking white and purple flowers. Its common names include passionflower, maypop, apricot vine, maracuja and water lemon. Spanish explorers learned of the plant in South America in the sixteenth century and brought it to Europe, where it became part of folk medicine as a sedative. Supplements use the leaves, stems and flowers, often called the aerial parts or the herb.
There are hundreds of Passiflora species. The passion fruit sold in grocery stores comes from a related species, Passiflora edulis, and eating the fruit is ordinary food use. The research and cautions in this article concern Passiflora incarnata extracts and teas.
Passion flower benefits: what the research shows
Passion flower is promoted for anxiety, pre-surgery nerves, sleep problems, stress, ADHD and pain. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) notes that its effects have not been studied extensively. Here is a fair summary of the main passion flower benefits that have been tested.
Anxiety, including before procedures
A 2020 systematic review in Nutrients found nine randomized trials in adults lasting from one day to 30 days. Most reported lower anxiety scores after passion flower preparations, the effect was less clear in people with mild symptoms, and no serious side effects such as memory problems were observed. The trials were small, used different products and different rating scales, which makes them hard to combine. NCCIH’s summary is that a small amount of research suggests oral passion flower might reduce anxiety symptoms and anxiety before surgical or dental procedures, but conclusions are not definite. Persistent anxiety deserves an evaluation by a clinician rather than self-care with herbs.
Sleep
According to NCCIH, a small amount of research suggests oral passion flower might improve total sleep time in adults with insomnia, while results for how fast people fall asleep and how well they stay asleep are mixed. That is a modest, uncertain signal. For other options people compare, see our guides to magnesium and sleep, melatonin and L-theanine.
Other uses
NCCIH says there is not enough evidence to judge passion flower for ADHD, congestive heart failure, menopausal symptoms, fibromyalgia or stress. Much of the mechanism talk online, such as effects on GABA signaling, comes from lab and animal work.
| Use | Evidence | Bottom line |
|---|---|---|
| Anxiety symptoms | Nine small RCTs, 1 to 30 days | Possible effect, not definite |
| Anxiety before procedures | Small trials | Possible effect, not definite |
| Total sleep time | Small amount of research | Might help; other sleep measures mixed |
| ADHD, heart failure, menopause, stress | Too little research | Unknown |
Passion flower side effects and safety
NCCIH says passion flower is likely safe as a food flavoring, may be safe as a tea for up to 7 nights, and may be safe as a daily extract for up to 8 weeks. Reported passion flower side effects include drowsiness, dizziness and confusion. Memorial Sloan Kettering also lists unsteady movement, allergic reactions and impaired thinking, plus a published case of a woman hospitalized with nausea, vomiting, a slow heart rate and abnormal heart rhythm readings after taking passion flower.
- Pregnancy. Passion flower should not be used during pregnancy because it may trigger uterine contractions. Little is known about safety while breastfeeding.
- Surgery. It may add to the effects of anesthesia and other surgical medicines. Talk to your care team if you use it within two weeks of a scheduled procedure.
- Driving. Because it can cause drowsiness, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
Interactions
Memorial Sloan Kettering notes that passion flower may increase the sedative effect of benzodiazepines such as lorazepam and diazepam, and describes a case of tremors and dizziness in a person who combined valerian and passion flower with lorazepam. Lab work also suggests large amounts may affect the heart’s QT interval, so it is unknown whether passion flower adds to the effect of drugs that do the same, such as azithromycin. Combining it with alcohol, sleep medicines, St. John’s wort, valerian or other sedating products may add up. Ask a pharmacist before combining.
Passion flower in nighttime blends
Passion flower rarely appears alone in mainstream products. It is usually one of several calming ingredients, and in proprietary blends the amount is not disclosed, so you cannot compare the product with any study. Two labels we carry show the pattern:
- Medterra Sleep Tight gummies list CBD isolate, melatonin, L-theanine, 5-HTP, chamomile, lemon balm and passionflower extract. The label says the product contains melatonin and 5-HTP, carries a THC-free icon, and advises consulting a physician before use if you are pregnant or lactating, under a doctor’s care or taking medication.
- InnoSupps Night Shred capsules list a Nighttime Recovery Complex of GABA, chamomile, valerian root and passion flower herb, with melatonin, magnesium, KSM-66 ashwagandha, 5-HTP and L-tryptophan. The label is for adults at bedtime, excludes pregnant and lactating women, says not to use it with alcohol or while driving, and says to stop two weeks before surgery.
Both blends combine passion flower with melatonin and 5-HTP, so read our 5-HTP guide as well. CBD can interact with several medicines, as explained in our guide to CBD and medications, and our CBD and sleep review covers what the research does and does not show. If you are comparing calming herbs, our holy basil guide covers a plant with a different safety profile.
Who should avoid passion flower
- People who are pregnant, and those breastfeeding unless a clinician advises otherwise.
- Anyone scheduled for surgery or a procedure with sedation.
- People taking benzodiazepines, sleep medicines, opioids or other sedating drugs, or drinking alcohol.
- People taking medicines that affect heart rhythm, unless their prescriber approves.
- Anyone who needs to drive or stay alert.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main passion flower benefits?
Passion flower is used mainly for anxiety and sleep. Small trials suggest it might ease anxiety symptoms and lengthen total sleep time, but NIH experts say conclusions are not definite.
Is passionflower the same as passion fruit?
They are related but not the same. Supplements use Passiflora incarnata, while grocery passion fruit usually comes from Passiflora edulis.
What are common passion flower side effects?
Drowsiness, dizziness and confusion are most often reported. Rare cases of heart rhythm changes and allergic reactions have been described.
Can you take passion flower while pregnant?
No. NCCIH advises against it in pregnancy because it may cause uterine contractions. Little is known about breastfeeding.
Can you take passion flower with other calming supplements?
Many blends do combine it with melatonin, valerian or 5-HTP, but sedating effects may add up. Ask a pharmacist before combining products, especially with prescription medicines.
Should I stop passion flower before surgery?
Tell your care team. NCCIH says to talk with a provider if you use it within two weeks of surgery because it may add to anesthesia effects.
Questions about a label? Contact us or read our Buyer’s Guide. Follow the label and ask a healthcare provider before starting any supplement, especially if you take medicines. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Last reviewed October 2026.
Related guides: Valerian Root: Benefits, Sleep Research, Side Effects and Interactions, Lemon Balm: Benefits, Stress and Sleep Research, Tea and Side Effects, CBD for Sleep: What the Studies Show, CBN, Melatonin and Safety.