Passiflora Homeopathic Medicine: Uses and Benefits

Educational information on traditional homeopathic use only. Not medical advice.

Passiflora is a homeopathic and herbal remedy made from the passion flower (Passiflora incarnata). In traditional homeopathic use it is associated with restful sleep, nervous restlessness and a busy, worried mind that will not switch off at night. It is usually taken as drops or tablets, most often as an ingredient in calming and bedtime formulas.

Passiflora at a glance

• Source: the passion flower, a climbing plant with striking blooms
• Traditionally used for: sleeplessness, restlessness and tension in the evening
• Typical forms: mother tincture, low potencies, drops and tablets, often blended with other calming remedies
• Often chosen by: people whose thoughts race at bedtime, and those wanting a gentle option for the evening
• Ask first if: pregnant, breastfeeding, giving it to a child, or taking sedative medication

Buy NeurexanBuy Reckeweg R14 Nerve & Sleep Drops

What is Passiflora homeopathic medicine?

Passiflora is prepared from the fresh flowering and fruiting parts of Passiflora incarnata. The plant has a long herbal reputation as a gentle calming herb, and homeopathy uses it in a similar supporting role for sleeplessness and nervous tension. Unlike the deep constitutional remedies, Passiflora is thought of as a soothing, everyday remedy rather than one chosen for a whole personality picture.

What is Passiflora used for?

In homeopathic and herbal tradition, Passiflora is above all a sleep and calm remedy. People often reach for it when there is:

• Difficulty falling asleep because the mind keeps ticking over
• Nervous restlessness and worry, with a wound-up feeling
• Restless, broken sleep and waking unrefreshed
• Wakefulness in the very young and the elderly, where a gentle option is wanted
• Tension and fretfulness that make it hard to settle in the evening

Passiflora potency: is there a 30C or 200C?

Passiflora is mainly used as a mother tincture and in low potencies (the D2 and 2X strengths you will see on formula labels), and it is frequently blended with other calming remedies rather than taken alone. Higher potencies such as 30C or 200C are generally the choice of an experienced homeopath rather than something to pick for yourself. As a rule, a low potency is chosen for a simple, everyday picture such as a restless evening, and the label or your practitioner decides the repetition.

Traditional dosage: what the labels say

Always follow the pack of the product you have. For example, the directions on the pages for the products we stock containing Passiflora are:

• Neurexan (Passiflora with Avena sativa, Coffea and Zincum isovalerianicum): tablets or drops. In acute situations 1 tablet or 5 drops every 30-60 minutes, no more than 12 times daily; for longer use 1 tablet or 5 drops, 1-3 times daily. The drops contain alcohol.
• Dr. Reckeweg R14 Nerve & Sleep Drops: 10-15 drops in water three times a day, and 20 drops in sweetened water at night; reduce the dose if you are sensitive.
• Guna Sleep Support Drops: 10 drops three times a day.
• Weleda Relaxing Oral Drops: for sleep, 1-2 ml in water about 30 minutes before bed (maximum 5 ml daily), for adults and the elderly. Do not drive if drowsy.

Who should avoid Passiflora?

• Anyone allergic to passion flower or to any ingredient on the label.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children: ask your practitioner or pharmacist first, as formulas differ.
• People taking sedatives, sleeping tablets or other medicines that cause drowsiness: speak to your pharmacist or doctor first, as passion flower is traditionally calming.
• Anyone avoiding alcohol: several drops contain ethanol, so check the label or choose a tablet.
• Do not drive or operate machinery if you feel drowsy.

How does Passiflora differ from similar remedies?

• Coffea cruda is the traditional remedy for a mind kept awake by excitement, pleasant thoughts or too much coffee, while Passiflora is the gentler, more general calmative. See our Coffea Cruda guide.
• Kali phosphoricum is linked with nervous exhaustion and a tired-but-wired state after long strain. See the Kali Phosphoricum guide.
• Combination formulas such as Neurexan bring Passiflora together with several remedies in one product, which many people find simpler than choosing individual remedies.

Frequently asked questions

What is Passiflora homeopathic medicine used for?

Traditionally for sleeplessness, restlessness and nervous tension, especially a busy mind in the evening.

What is the difference between Passiflora homeopathy and passion flower herbal tea?

The herbal plant is taken in measurable amounts as a tea or tincture. The homeopathic remedy is a prepared, diluted form. Many of the formulas here use low dilutions of the tincture, so always follow the label.

Which Passiflora potency should I use?

Low potencies and formula drops are the usual everyday choice. Higher potencies such as 30C or 200C are best chosen with a homeopath.

Can children or older adults take Passiflora?

It has traditionally been used for restless sleep at both ends of life, but children, pregnant women and anyone on medication should ask a practitioner or pharmacist first.

Is Passiflora addictive?

Homeopathic Passiflora is not known to be habit-forming, but if sleep problems continue for more than a couple of weeks, speak to your doctor.

Keep reading

• Coffea Cruda: Homeopathic Uses and Benefits
• Kali Phosphoricum: Homeopathic Uses and Benefits
• Pulsatilla Nigricans: Homeopathic Uses and Benefits
• Tarentula Hispanica: Homeopathic Uses and Benefits
• Natrum Muriaticum: Homeopathic Uses and Benefits

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Homeopathic medicines are not a substitute for medical care. If sleeplessness is persistent, or you feel low or very anxious, please speak to your doctor.