Evidence supporting the use of: Passionflower
For the health condition: Addictions (general remedies for)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) has a long history of traditional use for its calming and sedative properties, particularly in herbal medicine systems in the Americas and Europe. Its application for addiction support is primarily based on its reputation for reducing anxiety, insomnia, and nervousness—symptoms commonly experienced during withdrawal from various substances, including alcohol, nicotine, and opioids. Folk and herbalist sources recommend passionflower as an adjunct to help soothe withdrawal-related discomfort, not as a primary treatment for addiction itself.

Scientific studies exploring passionflower’s effects on addiction are limited. A handful of small clinical trials and animal studies suggest that extracts of the plant may alleviate withdrawal symptoms, particularly when used alongside conventional therapy. For example, one small human study (Akhondzadeh et al., 2001) found that passionflower extract, when combined with the opioid withdrawal medication clonidine, improved certain withdrawal symptoms more than clonidine alone. However, these studies often have small sample sizes and methodological limitations, and there is insufficient evidence to recommend passionflower as a standalone treatment for addiction.

In summary, the use of passionflower for addiction is primarily based on traditional and anecdotal evidence, with some preliminary scientific interest but inadequate data to support widespread clinical use. More rigorous research is needed to determine its efficacy and safety in this context.

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