Evidence supporting the use of: Passionflower
For the health condition: Fear (excessive)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) has a history of traditional use for alleviating symptoms related to anxiety, restlessness, and nervousness, which can be related to excessive fear. Its use dates back to Native American herbal medicine and was later adopted by European herbalists. Traditionally, passionflower preparations were used to calm the mind and promote restful sleep, indirectly addressing symptoms that overlap with excessive fear, such as nervous tension and agitation.
Modern herbalists and traditional medicine practitioners often recommend passionflower for conditions described as "nervous fear" or "overwhelm." The rationale is based on its reputed calming and sedative properties. While there is some overlap between anxiety and excessive fear, in traditional frameworks, fear as a symptom is sometimes addressed with calming herbs like passionflower, though not always distinguished from general anxiety or nervousness.
Scientific studies on passionflower generally focus on its anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects rather than specifically on fear. While these studies suggest some benefit for generalized anxiety and related symptoms, direct evidence for treating "excessive fear" is lacking or extrapolated from broader anxiety research. Thus, the use of passionflower for fear is primarily rooted in traditional practice, with only modest supporting evidence from modern studies, and the evidence rating is 2 out of 5.
Other ingredients used for Fear (excessive)
ashwagandhaGABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
L-theanine
passionflower
Valerian root
St. John's Wort
Gelsemium
Mimulus
Purple Monkeyflower
Other health conditions supported by passionflower
Abuse and TraumaAddictions (coffee, caffeine)
Addictions (drugs)
Addictions (general remedies for)
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Dysmenorrhea
Emotional Sensitivity
Epilepsy
Fear (excessive)
Grief and Sadness
Headache (tension)
Headache (tension)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations
Hysteria
Insomnia
Irritability
Nervousness
Neurosis
Nightmares
Phobias
Stress
Products containing passionflower
Vitabase
Active Man's Formula
Designs For Health
CatecholaCalm™
Pure Encapsulations
Emotional Wellness
Pure Encapsulations
Emotional Wellness
Vitabase
Healthy Sleep Support
Designs For Health
Insomnitol™ Capsules
Pure Encapsulations
Muscle Cramp/Tension Formula
Pure Encapsulations
Muscle Cramp/Tension Formula
Metagenics
MyoCalm
Metagenics
MyoCalm®
Metagenics
MyoCalm
Metagenics
MyoCalm Plus
Metagenics
MyoCalm Plus
Designs For Health
MyoSedate™
Vitabase
Relaxation Support
Metagenics
Tran-Q® Sleep