In one study including individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder, 60 drops of passionflower extract were taken in combination with clonidine to determine the effect on withdrawal symptoms compared to clonidine alone. Results showed that physical withdrawal symptoms were decreased in both the passionflower and placebo groups. Both groups also saw a reduction in mental withdrawal symptoms, but the passionflower group showed a more rapid onset of action and more significant symptom reduction than the to placebo group.[1] These results could impact the treatment of opioid withdrawal; they show that passionflower could potentially be added to prescription therapy to reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms, although larger studies are needed to confirm these effects.
Furthermore, one randomized controlled trial (RCT) showed that daily supplementation with tablets of a standardized extract of Passiflora incarnata, given at a dosage of 0.04 mg of passionflower extract per kg of bodyweight (0.04 mg/kg), was as effective as methylphenidate in treating ADHD in children. Moreover, children taking passionflower had a lower incidence of decreased appetite and anxiety/nervousness than those in the methylphenidate group. However, the occurrence of other side effects did not significantly differ between the two groups.[2] However, since this study was relatively small, had a short follow-up period, lacked a placebo control group, and was limited to children and adolescents, larger-scale studies are needed to determine passionflower’s true efficacy for ADHD.
In one study, 10 drops three times a day plus 30 drops at bedtime of a standardized extract of passionflower leaves, flower and fruit was shown to decrease menopausal symptoms such as insomnia, depression, anger, and headache. However, this study presents several limitations including the absence of a control group, a small sample size, and the use of outdated tests to measure menopausal symptoms.[3]
References
- ^Akhondzadeh S, Kashani L, Mobaseri M, Hosseini SH, Nikzad S, Khani MPassionflower in the treatment of opiates withdrawal: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.J Clin Pharm Ther.(2001-Oct)
- ^Akhondzadeh et alPassiflora incarnata in the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents(2005)
- ^Fahami F, Asali Z, Aslani A, Fathizadeh NA comparative study on the effects of Hypericum Perforatum and passion flower on the menopausal symptoms of women referring to Isfahan city health care centers.Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res.(2010)