✓ No active regulatory warningsFDA MedWatch, EMA EudraVigilance, WHO VigiBase, WADA Prohibited List · 2026-05-29
📰Read the full Passionflower evidence review on GMJ News →Complete clinical article, references and updates on news.gmj.ge. This page is the structured safety summary.⚠ P. incarnata (medicinal) ≠ P. edulis (passion fruit) [1]
⚠ Comparable to oxazepam in one RCT — but single trial [2]
⚠ Contains trace harman alkaloids — avoid with MAOIs and in pregnancy [1]
ℹ️ Not obtained from food. Not applicable — this is not obtained from food in meaningful amounts; supplementation is the practical route.
🔬 Lab interpreter
ℹ️ No validated blood test. There is no established laboratory test to assess status or guide dosing for this ingredient. Clinical response and symptoms are the practical guide.
⚕ For professionals — confirm ranges against your local laboratory.
Clinical verdict
1 How much do I need?
👤 Adults: Specific dosage data under clinical review
👴 Elderly: Specific dosage data under clinical review
🤰 Pregnancy: See guidance
AVOID — harman alkaloids may have uterotonic effects [1].
👦 Pediatric: See guidance
Limited data. Some European products for children >6 years [1].
🏃 Athletes: Standard dose
⚖️ Obesity: Standard dose
Fat-soluble compounds may require dose adjustment in obesity.
🩺 Renal: Consult specialist
Dose adjustment may be needed in renal impairment.
🌱 Vegan: Standard dose
How to take
🍽 Timing: 30–60 min before desired effect [1].
💊 With food: Tea or extract, with or without food [1].
🚫 Avoid: Pregnancy. MAOIs. Concurrent benzodiazepines without monitoring [1].
2 Which form?
| Form | Bioavailability | Vegan | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ['Standardized extract', 'preferred', 'Standardized to flavonoids. 500 mg/dose [1].'] | Standard | Check label | |
| ['Dried herb tea', 'common', '1–2 g steeped 10 min. Traditional, pleasant taste [1].'] | Standard | Check label | |
| ['Tincture', '', 'Alcohol extract. Traditional European preparation [1].'] | Standard | Check label |
3 Common questions
Is passionflower as good as benzodiazepines? ▼
One RCT found it comparable to oxazepam for GAD with less drowsiness [2]. This is a single trial and insufficient to replace benzodiazepines for severe anxiety. Best for mild-moderate anxiety.
Is passionflower the same as passion fruit? ▼
No — P. incarnata (medicinal) ≠ P. edulis (passion fruit). Different species [1].
Can I combine with valerian? ▼
Yes — this is a classic European combination for sleep. Commercially available as combination products [1].
4 Clinical evidence
Strong
GABA-A receptor modulation: chrysin and other flavonoids bind GABA-A receptors in vitro [1]. HIGH
Moderate
GAD: one RCT found passionflower extract comparable to oxazepam with less job-related impairment [2]. Pre-operative anxiety: reduced anxiety before surgery in multiple trials [1]. Sleep: combined with valerian in multiple European trials [1]. MODERATE
Insufficient
5 Safety, toxicity & adverse events
Absolute contraindications
✕ Pregnancy — may stimulate uterine contractions
Relative
⚠ Concurrent sedatives, benzodiazepines or CNS depressants — additive sedation
⚠ Before surgery/anesthesia — discontinue
⚠ Concurrent MAOIs
🚩 Red flags
● Pregnancy — harman alkaloids [1]
● Patient on MAOIs — trace harman/harmaline content [1]
6 Interactions
Drug interactions
CNS depressants Moderate
Mechanism: Additive GABA-ergic sedation. [1]
Effect: Increased sedation. [1]
Action: Use caution with concurrent benzodiazepines [1].
MAOIs Moderate
Mechanism: Passionflower contains trace harman and harmaline (weak MAO-A inhibitors). [1]
Effect: Theoretical serotonergic/adrenergic excess. [1]
Action: Avoid combination [1].
Supplement synergies
Valerian · 300–600 mg valerian
Classic European sleep combination [1].
Classic European sleep combination [1].
L-Theanine · 200 mg L-theanine
Complementary anxiolytics: passionflower (GABA-A) + theanine (alpha-wave/GABA) [1].
Complementary anxiolytics: passionflower (GABA-A) + theanine (alpha-wave/GABA) [1].
7 Regulatory
Germany (Commission E): Approved for nervous restlessness [1].
European Union (EMA): 'Traditional use' for mild stress and sleep [1].
United States (FDA): Dietary supplement [1].
8 US supplement products
142
on-market products containing Passionflower (NIH DSLD)
Brands carrying Passionflower (95)
Click a brand to see its Passionflower products.
9 Frequently paired with
10 Cite this page
Vancouver: Pkhakadze G. Passionflower — safety profile [Internet]. Tbilisi: PHIG; 2026 [cited 2026 Aug 15]. Available from: https://supplement.ge/ingredients/passionflower/
APA 7th: Pkhakadze, G. (2026). Passionflower — Safety profile. Public Health Institute of Georgia. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/passionflower/
📋 Editorial information
Author: Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Institution: Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG)
Affiliation: David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU)
First published: January 2026
Last reviewed: 2026-05-29
Next review: February 2027
References: 2 cited sources
COI: SupplementIndex receives no funding from supplement manufacturers. All content independently authored by PHIG.
Process: Systematic literature review
📄 License & reuse
Published under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). You may share and adapt for any purpose with attribution.
Pkhakadze G. "Passionflower — Safety Profile." SupplementIndex, PHIG, 2026. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/passionflower/ CC BY 4.0.
GP
Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Professor of Public Health · Head of Department, DTMU
Editor-in-Chief, Georgian Medical Journal (ISSN 3088-4322)
Chair, Public Health Institute of Georgia · UEMS Public Health Section
Educational and public health purposes. CC BY 4.0. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Corrections: info@accreditation.ge. Publisher: PHIG