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What Are the Most Common Passion Flower Side Effects?

Madeleine A.
Madeleine A.

The most common passion flower side effects include stomach upset and nausea. Although not considered a serious side effect, passion flower preparations should be discontinued if nausea persists. Typically, however, nausea will subside as the body adjusts. Before taking passion flower or any other dietary supplement, the health care provider should be notified who can discuss the pros and cons.

Passion flower is used to treat anxiety, insomnia, pain, and high blood pressure. Minor inflammatory skin conditions may also improve as the result of passion flower treatments. Before taking passion flower or any other dietary supplement, the health care provider should be notified who can discuss the pros and cons.

Passion flower is used in different mixtures to treat several conditions, including insomnia and anxiety.
Passion flower is used in different mixtures to treat several conditions, including insomnia and anxiety.

Other side effects of passion flower include confusion and alterations in memory function. Like nausea, this side effect will usually subside as the body becomes acclimated to it. Although memory loss and confusion are common passion flower side effects, they can also signify a serious medical condition such as stroke, dementia, or other neurological problem.

Passion flower has been known to cause memory problems and confusion.
Passion flower has been known to cause memory problems and confusion.

Cardiac arrhythmias and abnormal muscle contractions are serious passion flower side effects. Abnormal heart rhythms can increase the risk for heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure. If heart palpitations occur, passion flower should be immediately discontinued and the health care provider notified at once. Abnormal muscle contractions can occur in any muscle in the body, including the heart muscle.

Studies suggest that passion flower is as effective at treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as prescription anti-anxiety drugs.
Studies suggest that passion flower is as effective at treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as prescription anti-anxiety drugs.

Multiple studies have shown that passion flower is especially beneficial to those suffering from general anxiety disorder. In fact, research has shown that taking passion flower preparations may be just as effective as taking anti-anxiety medications. Persistent and debilitating anxiety, however, needs to be evaluated and treated by an experienced health care provider and not solely treated with herbal supplements.

Nausea and upset stomach are common side effects of passion flower.
Nausea and upset stomach are common side effects of passion flower.

Passion flower side effects also include drowsiness and therefore, may enhance the effects of other medications such as anti-anxiety medications, anti-depressants, barbiturates, and anti-seizure medications. In addition, passion flower may also enhance the effects of anticoagulant medications, which are medications that thin the blood. It may not be recommended to take passion flower in combination with aspirin and prescription blood thinners, unless under the strict supervision of the health care provider.

Healers have long used passion flower to counter high blood pressure.
Healers have long used passion flower to counter high blood pressure.

Since passion flower mixtures are not considered medications, they are not subject to strict government testing, therefore, extreme caution must be taken when considering taking them. Although generally tolerated by most people, those with certain medical condition should not take passion flower preparations. As with any dietary supplement or alternative remedy, the health care provider can evaluate current medical conditions and possible medication interactions.

Discussion Comments

anon928650

I use passionflower blended in a tea to help with anxiety. It helps, but I'm a little sensitive to it so I have to use a half dose (my favorite is about 1/2 tsp dried passion flower to 1 tsp of green tea).

Before bed, a tea of passionflower, chamomile and peppermint is very relaxing, you can mix in a little valerian root or hops as well, but they're both pungent and a little goes a long way. It's also seemed to lower my blood pressure a bit.

candyquilt

I had passion flower tea once. It made me really drowsy and nauseated. It was horrible.

SteamLouis

@burcinc-- You're not taking passion flower and anxiety medication at the same time are you?! I sure hope not because those two contradict. Passion flower contradicts with anti-depressants, anxiety medications, sleep medications and flu medications like antihistamines. There are probably other medications that it contradicts with that I don't know about. It also contradicts with alcohol.

These drugs will intensify and worsen passion flower side effects. It can actually be really dangerous if it causes heart arrhythmia and other heart related side effects.

Passion flower should not be taken with other medications unless a doctor clearly says that it's okay. When I take passion flower, I don't take anything else.

burcinc

I have a doctor prescribed anxiety medication made from passion flower. So I think that taking passion flower supplements is not too different from taking this medication, although the dose might differ. Passion flower can cause all of the side effects listed on anxiety medication like gastro-intestinal side effects and psychological side effects.

For example, when I have too much passion flower, I become very sleepy and out of it much like it happens with my anxiety medication.

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    • Passion flower is used in different mixtures to treat several conditions, including insomnia and anxiety.
      By: tdlucas5000
      Passion flower is used in different mixtures to treat several conditions, including insomnia and anxiety.
    • Passion flower has been known to cause memory problems and confusion.
      By: chuugo
      Passion flower has been known to cause memory problems and confusion.
    • Studies suggest that passion flower is as effective at treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as prescription anti-anxiety drugs.
      By: themalni
      Studies suggest that passion flower is as effective at treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as prescription anti-anxiety drugs.
    • Nausea and upset stomach are common side effects of passion flower.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      Nausea and upset stomach are common side effects of passion flower.
    • Healers have long used passion flower to counter high blood pressure.
      By: dambuster
      Healers have long used passion flower to counter high blood pressure.