Some
studies of the passion flower herb have shown that it can
be as powerful as some prescription anti-anxiety/sedative
medicines but without the side effects that can come with
those types of drugs. The herb not only helped reduce anxiety
and nervousness, but helped people go to sleep easier and
stay asleep longer. More research is underway on this effect.
Passion flower health benefits come mainly from the flowers
and leaves of the plant. These parts of the plant are full
of a variety of compounds like flavonoids, sterols, etc. Using
the passion flower herb has also been known to increase libido
as well as help reduce withdrawal symptoms in patients trying
to overcome addiction to opiates.
Since the passion flower herb treats both anxiety and promotes
sleep it is useful in dealing with not only general insomnia,
but insomnia that is a result of restlessness, anxiety and
other nervous disorders. This makes the herb a safe and natural
all around treatment for sleeplessness. There is debate about
its usefulness for severe or chronic insomnia, but it may
be worth trying first before resorting to drugs due to the
lack of side effects. Be sure to consult with a medical professional
knowledgeable in passion flower health related studies before
using to ensure you are on the right dose and that you aren't
mixing it with any other drug or compound that might be problematic....for
example, mixing it with sleeping pills may be too much.
It is not usual to find the passion flower herb sold by itself,
it is usually sold in combination with other herbs and extracts
for maximum benefit. These combo supplements usually include
things like valerian, 5HTP and SAMe as well as B vitamins
and other ingredients that help the body produce sleep or
improve mood. However, if you have concerns about the other
ingredients or have had reactions to any of them before you
can find the herb by itself if you look for it.
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