Page 85 - Pharmacognosy-II (06-PG 303)

Passiflora Herb

Passion flower

Passiflora (Passion Flower) consists of the dried aerial parts of Passiflora incarnata L. collected
during the flowering and fruiting period.
E. P. 1984: “Dried aerial parts of Passiflora incarnata family Passifloraceae, collected during and at
the end of the flowering stage”. It contains not less than 0.01 % of total passiflora alkaloids, calculated
as harmine.

European pharmacopoeia 2002, BP requires that it contains not less than 1.5 % of total flavonoids,
calculated as vitexin.

Most available data suggests flavonoids as possible active ingredients.

Constituents:

Flavonoids (Vitexin, isovitexin, orientin, iso-orientin, Apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, kaempferol).
Alkaloids (harman, harmol, harmine, harmalol, harmaline).

Actions and Uses:

Passionflower is used for sleep problems (insomnia), gastrointestinal (GI) upset related to anxiety or
nervousness and relieving symptoms related to narcotic drug withdrawal.

Contraindications:

Passiflora has been shown to stimulate uterine contractions in animal models. Its use is
contraindicated during pregnancy.

Drug interactions:

It may cause additive effect if administered with benzodiazepines and barbiturates (CNS depressants)
or alcohol.

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