Evidence supporting the use of: Passionflower
For the health condition: Grief and Sadness

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

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

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) has a long history of traditional use as a calming and sedative herb, particularly in herbal medicine systems such as those practiced by Native Americans and in European phytotherapy. It is most often used for conditions involving anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, and mild mental distress. In the context of grief and sadness, passionflower is traditionally used to help soothe the nervous system and promote a sense of calm, which may indirectly support those experiencing emotional turmoil. However, the direct use of passionflower specifically for grief or sadness (as distinct from general anxiety or insomnia) is primarily justified by tradition rather than robust scientific evidence.

Scientific studies on passionflower have mostly focused on its anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) and sedative properties, with some small clinical trials suggesting it may help with generalized anxiety or improve sleep. There is limited or no direct clinical research on its efficacy for treating grief or clinical depression. The evidence for its use in grief or sadness is therefore derived by extension from its calming effects on the nervous system, as reported in traditional use and supported by modest scientific data on anxiety and sleep. In summary, passionflower’s use for grief and sadness is primarily traditional, with a low to moderate level of indirect evidence supporting its calming effects, but lacking targeted scientific validation for this specific emotional state.

More about passionflower
More about Grief and Sadness