How passionflower can be your ally to get a restful sleep

Do you have trouble sleeping? Do you notice that you are not resting well? Well, there is a plant that can be a good ally to try to remedy this problem. We talk about emotionalA Native plants of AmericaEspecially from the South US and Central America region. It is a climbing plant about 10 meters high, with large lobed leaves and Some beautiful flowers A very special structure composed of white and purple petals that attracts attention. Its flowers produce a fruit when eaten and is known as passion fruit or passion fruit.

We are faced with a Widely used plant for him medicinal properties. It was already used by the Aztecs for a certain stay palliative action. It was the Spanish Jesuits who introduced it to Europe under the name “Passion Flower”. “Scientific Name Passiflora AvatarThis plant is not only appreciated for its ornamental beauty, but for its numerous medicinal properties. It has been widely used for the treatment of anxiety, insomnia and stress, thanks to its soothing and calming effects,” Arcopharma experts hope.

“Among its most important active ingredients we highlight flavonoids (its content varies between 0.5-2.5%), among which we particularly highlight chrysin and apigenin”, the pharmaceutical company tells us. Mar SierraWhich we can also find in the composition of the ingredients of this plant such as maltol, ethyl maltol, sugars such as arabinoglucan, traces of essential oils and coumarins. But it emphasizes that its activity is mainly due to its flavonoid content.

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Antioxidant properties

So, experts tell us that due to this high presence of flavonoids, it Antioxidant properties They are indisputable, exerting their action on cells, protecting them from free radicals. “This antioxidant activity is most related to its cardiovascular protective properties, which help reduce blood pressure levels and heart rate,” he told us.

Relaxed and calm actions

But its most interesting action is due to the presence of chrysine, an alkaloid associated with its relaxing and calming effect on the central nervous system, which gives passionflower its sedative and anxiolytic properties. “Because of this effect, it is used in people who are going through Situations with certain levels of temporary stress, insomnia or hyperactivity“, Mar Sierra explains. “Sleep generated using passionflower is rich in REM sleep, so we wake up in a perfect state,” added the expert, who highlighted that, in addition, Presents anxiolytic and sedative action, Which helps us if all we want is to sleep better.

Does it help in times like menopause?

Pharmacists tell us that due to its relaxing action on the nervous system, May improve menopausal symptoms, According to data from a study conducted, anxiety, improved sleep quality, and also, although to a lesser extent, headaches.

And because of this same relaxing action of smooth fibers, it can also be relaxing in improving premenstrual syndrome or menstrual cramps.

How to take

It can be taken in the form of Food complex Combined with other herbs such as valerian or hawthorn to improve relaxation and sleep quality. “You can use it as an infusion or use the liquid extract to mix with water and consume it directly,” the expert told us.

Thus, to prepare the infusion, pour a tablespoon of passionflower into boiling water and let it rest for 10 minutes. Of course, it must be considered that it is recommended Take it half an hour before going to bed So that it properly expresses its relaxing and soothing effect.

“The advantage of passionflower over other soothing and calming plants is that Does not form a habitThat is, it doesn’t require an increasingly large dose to be effective, and you can stop taking it without having to taper off, so you don’t develop a withdrawal syndrome either. This quality makes it Safer and more advisable”, he noted.

Possible contraindications

Finally, the expert noted that although it is indicated for use in children under 4 years of age, it is preferable Consult a pediatrician To be able to use safely. Its use during pregnancy is not recommended.

reference

1. Ngan A, Conduit R. A double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation on the subjective sleep quality of Posiflora incarnata (passionflower) herbal tea. Phytother Res 2011 Aug;25(8):1153-9. doi:10.1002/ptr.3400. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21294203/
2. Fariba Fahami, Zahra Asali, Abolafzal Aslani, Nahid Fatizadeh. A comparative study on the effects of Hypericum Perforatum and passion flower on menopausal symptoms in women referring to health care centers in Isfahan city. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res 2010 Fall;15(4):202-7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22049281/