Evidence supporting the use of: Passionflower
For the health condition: Hysteria

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, especially in Europe and North America, for a variety of nervous disorders, including what was historically termed "hysteria." In the 19th and early 20th centuries, hysteria was a broadly defined condition that encompassed symptoms like anxiety, agitation, insomnia, and emotional disturbances—areas where passionflower was commonly recommended. Herbalists and early medical practitioners favored passionflower for its reputed calming and sedative effects, often prescribing it as a tea or tincture to ease nervous excitability and promote relaxation. However, while modern studies provide some support for passionflower's use in anxiety and insomnia, there is little to no rigorous scientific evidence directly supporting its efficacy specifically for "hysteria" as historically defined. The rating reflects that the connection to hysteria is primarily based on traditional use, with scientific studies usually targeting broader conditions such as generalized anxiety or sleep disorders. It is important to note that "hysteria" is no longer recognized as a medical diagnosis, and current research does not specifically address this outdated term. Thus, while passionflower's use for hysteria is justified by tradition, any claims regarding its effectiveness for this condition should be viewed in context of both the historical meaning of the term and the limitations of available evidence.

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