Aphrodisiac Properties of Passiflora
In addition to the benefits listed above, the BZF moiety has
exhibited aphrodisiac, libido-enhancing and virility-enhancing properties in
2-year-old male rats. When administered concomitantly with nicotine, ethanol and
delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol for 30 days in male rats, the BZF also prevented
the drug-induced decline in sexuality in male rats. Because the BZF moiety
isolated from Passiflora incarnata is a tri-substituted derivative of alpha-naphthoflavone
(7,8-benzoflavone), a well-known aromatase-enzyme inhibitor, the mode of action
of BZF has been postulated to be a neurosteroidal mechanism vide in which the
BZF moiety prevents the metabolic degradation of testosterone and upregulates
blood - testosterone levels in the body.
The aphrodisiac properties of the methanol
extract of leaves of Passiflora incarnata Linn. have also been evaluated in mice
by observing the mounting behavior. The methanol extract of P. incarnata
exhibited significant aphrodisiac behaviou in male mice at all doses, i.e. 75,
100 and 150 mg/kg. Amongst these, the highest activity was observed with the 100
mg/kg dose when the mountings were calculated about 95 min after the
administration of the test extracts.
Passiflora and Anxiety
Passiflora may be helpful in reducing restlessness, anxiety, and nervousness. It
also has anti-cough properties. The methanol extracts of leaves, stems, flowers,
and whole plant exhibited anxiolytic effects at 100, 125, 200 and 300 mg/kg,
respectively. The roots were practically devoid of anxiolytic effects. This means the
leaves seem to contain the most concentration of the active ingredients.
A double-blind randomized trial compared the efficacy of Passiflora
incarnata extract with oxazepam in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. The
study was performed on 36 out-patients diagnosed with GAD allocated in a random fashion:
18 to the Passiflora extract 45 drops/day plus placebo tablet group, and 18 to oxazepam 30
mg/day plus placebo drops for a 4-week trial. Passiflora extract and oxazepam
were effective in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. No significant difference
was observed between the two protocols at the end of trial. Oxazepam showed a rapid onset
of action. On the other hand, significantly more problems relating to impairment of job
performance were encountered with subjects on oxazepam. The results suggest
that Passiflora extract is an effective drug for the management of generalized anxiety
disorder, and the low incidence of impairment of job performance with Passiflora extract
compared to oxazepam is an advantage.
Passiflora extract may be an effective adjuvant agent in the management of opiate
withdrawal.
Passiflora has the ability to suppress cough.
Sedative
Pharmacological studies on the sedative and
hypnotic effect of Kava kava and Passiflora extracts combination.
Phytomedicine. 2005 Jan;12(1-2):39-45. Capasso A, Sorrentino L. 1st
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Salerno, Italy.
Kava kava extract, Passiflora extract and a combination of both extracts,
administered to mice, caused a significant decrease of the amphetamine-induced
hypermotility and significant prolongation of sleeping phase induced by
subcutaneous injection of barbiturates. Due to a synergism of both extracts,
simultaneously administered the pharmacologically registered effect in both in
vivo experiments was found to be superior over the sum of the single separately
administered extracts.
Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata L.)--a reliable herbal sedative
Krenn L. Universitat Wien, Althanstrasse 14, A-1090 Wien.
Wien Med Wochenschr. 2002;152(15-16):404-6.
Extracts and fluid extracts from the aerial parts from Passiflora incarnata L.
are widely used as components of herbal sedatives. Many pharmacological
investigations confirm the sedative effects of Passiflorae herba. From some of
the studies also anxiolytic effects can be deduced. As Passionflower is mainly
used in combinations, clinical studies of the single drug are not available.
Based on pharmacological data, the experiences of traditional use and the use in
combinations Passiflora extracts are an important factor in the phytotherapy of
tenseness, restlessness and irritability with difficulty in falling asleep.
Passiflora Dosage
Passiflora can be used as a tea, 2 to 5 grams of the dried herb two to three
times a day (one teaspoon is usually about 2 to 3 grams). Passiflora is also available
as fluid or tincture extract (follow directions on the bottle). Capsules of the dried
herbal extract are available from 200 to 400 mg, taken one to three times daily, although
it is easier to find passionflower combined with valerian and other sedative herbs.
Aphrodisiac Properties of Passiflora
In addition to the benefits listed above, the
benzoflavone moiety has
exhibited aphrodisiac, libido-enhancing and virility-enhancing properties in
2-year-old male rats. When administered concomitantly with nicotine, ethanol and
delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol for 30 days in male rats, the BZF also prevented
the drug-induced decline in sexuality in male rats. Because the BZF moiety
isolated from Passiflora incarnata is a tri-substituted derivative of alpha-naphthoflavone
(7,8-benzoflavone), a well-known aromatase-enzyme inhibitor, the mode of action
of BZF has been postulated to be a neurosteroidal mechanism vide in which the
BZF moiety prevents the metabolic degradation of testosterone and upregulates
blood - testosterone levels in the body.
The aphrodisiac properties of the methanol
extract of leaves of Passiflora incarnata Linn. have also been evaluated in mice
by observing the mounting behavior. The methanol extract of P. incarnata
exhibited significant aphrodisiac behavior in male mice at all doses, i.e. 75,
100 and 150 mg/kg. Amongst these, the highest activity was observed with the 100
mg/kg dose when the mountings were calculated about 95 min after the
administration of the test extracts.
Passiflora
side effects
No significant side effects have yet been reported in the medical
literature, but long term studies are not yet available. One passiflora side
effect is drowsiness.
Passiflora
Research Update
Passionflower in the treatment of opiates withdrawal: a double-blind randomized
controlled trial.
Akhondzadeh S. Tehran University of Medical Sciences, South
Kargar Avenue, Tehran 13334, Iran.
J Clin Pharm Ther. 2001 Oct;26(5):369-73.
Clonidine-based therapies have been utilized
as the main protocol for opiate detoxification for several years. However,
detoxification with clonidine has its limitations, including lack of efficacy
for mental symptoms. Accumulating evidence shows the efficacy of Passiflora
incarnata extract in the management of anxiety. In our continuing study of
traditional medicines, which have neurotropic effects, this plant had an
anxiolytic effect, which may be used as an adjuvant agent in the detoxification
of opiates by clonidine. We present the results of a double-blind randomized
controlled trial of clonidine plus passiflora extract vs. clonidine plus placebo
in the outpatient detoxification of 65 opiates addicts. A total of 65
opiates addicts were assigned randomly to treatment with passiflora extract plus
clonidine tablet or clonidine tablet plus placebo drop during a 14-day
double-blind clinical trial. All patients met the DSM IV criteria for opioid
dependence. The fixed daily dose was 60 drops of passiflora extract and a
maximum daily dose of 0.8 mg of clonidine administered in three divided doses.
Both
protocols were equally effective in treating the physical symptoms of withdrawal
syndromes. However, the passiflora plus clonidine group showed a significant
superiority over clonidine alone in the management of mental symptoms. These
results suggested that passiflora extract may be an effective adjuvant agent in
the management of opiate withdrawal. However, a larger study to confirm our
results is warranted.
index yohimbe bark