Passiflora is a remedy with a reputation. For centuries passionflower has been used to alleviate anxiety and calm the mind to help people fall asleep.

The unique plant originated in the Americas and slowly spread worldwide. The plant has spiritual and scientific significance. The face of the passionflower holds symbolic value in Christianity and is also used for medicinal purposes. The leaves and stem of the plant are also utilized to treat a number of ailments.

Passionflower is often seen in the formulas for sleep supplements. The herb is capable of reducing anxiety in order to help people relax before bed. The ingredient has no direct sedative properties but it can help address the symptoms of stress that can cause insomnia.

The use of passiflora independently as a sleep aid has not been solidified by science. Rather, passiflora works as a beneficial addition to other herbs, ingredients, and medications for insomnia.

The precise power of passionflower is still relatively unknown. Some scientists believe passiflora works by increasing the level of GABA in the brain. GABA happens to be a chemical in the brain that lowers the activity of some brain cells, making you calm down. Through this calming process, the mind is set at ease so sleep can come naturally.

There are a number of herbs that work independently to treat insomnia. Lemon balm and valerian root are popular herbal remedies that induce sleep that are similar to passiflora. Further research concerning passionflower is necessary before the plant can be considered as effective as lemon balm or valerian root.

Regardless of the research, passionflower has been used throughout history and even in modern medicine for good reason.