Skip to content
Passion flower, scientifically known as Passiflora, is a genus of over 500 species of flowering plants. Known for its vibrant blooms and calming properties, passion flower has been used for centuries in traditional medicine, particularly for easing anxiety and improving sleep.
A Rich History
Native to the southeastern United States and Central and South America, passion flower has long been used in traditional medicine. Native Americans brewed it into teas to treat insomnia, anxiety, and pain, using its natural sedative effects to ease restlessness and promote better sleep.
In the 16th century, Spanish explorers discovered passion flower in Peru and introduced it to Europe. Its calming effects became a key part of herbal remedies for nervous conditions and sleep disorders. Today, passion flower remains celebrated for these same benefits, making it a popular addition to herbal teas, tinctures, and supplements.
Modern Benefits of Passion Flower Tea
Today, passion flower is often enjoyed in teas like our Sleepy Time Tea, which blends passion flower with soothing herbs such as chamomile, lemongrass, spearmint, lavender, lemon balm, and hibiscus.
This soothing combination helps promote relaxation and restful sleep. Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with kava, passion flower tea is a natural way to unwind, reduce stress, and support overall well-being.
Taste Profile:
Passion flower tea has a mild, floral flavor with grassy undertones and a slightly herbal quality. It pairs well with citrus and other herbs, making it a versatile tea to enjoy either hot or cold. In Sleepy Time Tea, these calming herbs come together to create a smooth, relaxing cup that's perfect for winding down.
Benefits of Passion Flower Tea
1. Promotes Better Sleep
Passion flower tea is widely recognized for its ability to improve sleep quality by increasing levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that slows brain activity, helping to reduce restlessness and promote a more restful sleep.
For those looking for a stronger effect, you can mix kava into your tea or drink it alongside. Kava enhances relaxation and deepens the sense of calm, creating an even more powerful sleep aid.
2. Reduces Anxiety
Passion flower tea is a natural way to help the body relax and promote a sense of calm. By boosting GABA levels in the brain, which slows down overactive nerve signals, it helps reduce feelings of nervousness and stress.
3. Supports Heart Health
In addition to promoting relaxation, passion flower tea may help lower blood pressure by calming the cardiovascular system. The reduction in stress can benefit both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, making passion flower tea an ideal addition to a heart-healthy lifestyle.
4. Enhances Mood and Mental Clarity
Passion flower tea is rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, both of which help protect brain cells from damage.
Antioxidants are compounds that help neutralize harmful molecules called free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can cause damage to cells, including those in the brain.
Flavonoids, a type of antioxidant found in plants, specifically help reduce inflammation and protect brain health.
By neutralizing these free radicals, passion flower tea supports brain health, leading to improvements in mood, focus, and overall mental clarity.
How to Make Passion Flower Tea
Ingredients:
- 1-2 teaspoons of Sleepy Time Tea (which includes passion flower).
- 1 cup of boiling water.
- Honey or lemon (optional)
- Optional: Add a serving of kava to enhance the calming effects
Instructions:
- Place the Sleepy Time Tea blend in a tea infuser
- Pour boiling water over the tea.
- Let it steep for 10-15 minutes.
- Strain the tea, if necessary.
- Add honey or lemon to taste, if desired.
- Optionally, prepare a serving of kava (whether traditionally or using kava extract) and add it to your tea for a deeply relaxing experience. Learn how to make kava here.
Enjoy a calming cup of Sleepy Time Tea, with or without kava, to promote restful sleep and reduce anxiety.
Conclusion
Passion flower is a versatile and powerful plant, known for its ability to reduce anxiety, improve sleep quality, and support heart health. As a key ingredient in our Sleepy Time Tea, passion flower works alongside other soothing herbs to promote relaxation. For those seeking even deeper relaxation, combining passion flower tea with kava offers a holistic approach to unwinding.
Whether enjoyed in our Sleepy Time Tea or paired with the stress-relieving properties of kava, passion flower tea is a natural and effective way to support your well-being, providing substantial health benefits and a calming experience.
Sources:
1. Krenn L. Die Passionsblume (Passiflora incarnata L.)--ein bewährtes pflanzliches Sedativum [Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata L.)--a reliable herbal sedative]. Wien Med Wochenschr. 2002;152(15-16):404-6. German. doi: 10.1046/j.1563-258x.2002.02062.x. PMID: 12244887.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12244887/
2. da Fonseca LR, Rodrigues RA, Ramos AS, da Cruz JD, Ferreira JLP, Silva JRA, Amaral ACF. Herbal Medicinal Products from Passiflora for Anxiety: An Unexploited Potential. ScientificWorldJournal. 2020 Jul 20;2020:6598434. doi: 10.1155/2020/6598434. PMID: 32765195; PMCID: PMC7387951.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32765195/
3. Miroddi M, Calapai G, Navarra M, Minciullo PL, Gangemi S. Passiflora incarnata L.: ethnopharmacology, clinical application, safety and evaluation of clinical trials. J Ethnopharmacol. 2013 Dec 12;150(3):791-804. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2013.09.047. Epub 2013 Oct 17. PMID: 24140586.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24140586/
4. Ngan A, Conduit R. A double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation of the effects of Passiflora incarnata (passionflower) herbal tea on subjective sleep quality. Phytother Res. 2011 Aug;25(8):1153-9. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3400. Epub 2011 Feb 3. PMID: 21294203.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21294203/