Are you feeling anxious? 

Get into a comfortable position. Take a few cleansing breaths ...Inhale… Exhale… Inhale… Exhale…

Having discomforting thoughts can stimulate:

• Disruptive Bowels

• A sense of impending doom out of proportion to the situation causing worry

• Nervousness

• Rapid heart rate

• Trouble sleeping

• Irritability and restlessness

• Exhaustion

• Uncontrollable Sweating

Breathwork is the first step to calm the feelings of anxiety in your mind and body. Plant medicines are a soothing second step and passionflower is an addition for natural relief.

Passionflower is effective at helping relieve stress and induce a state of calm.

Passionflower provides a slightly stronger remedy for anxiety than chamomile and is often used for anxiety disorder. It is commonly believed to not only help anxiety but also to help with insomnia, nervous disorders, headaches, and blood-related maladies like hypertension. Like chamomile, passionflower can be taken as a tea and the two are sometimes combined along with other herbs for anxiety-related symptoms.

Passionflower is a globally recognized nervine relaxant — it blocks certain brain signals, resulting in a calming effect. Based on the significant history of this herb as a plant-based sedative, you may want to keep it in your toolbox for when you have trouble coping with anxiety.

How to Start Taking Passionflower for Anxiety

It’s considered safe by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health to take up to 800 mg a day of Passionflower extract made from the dried herb. It can be consumed as an extract, in capsule form, or as an infusion/tea. I like to enjoy it in a bath soak or foot bath.

Found at many health food stores - dried loose leaves, prepackaged tea, liquid extracts, capsules, and tablets. Since Passionflower is often used as a sleep aid, I recommend you start by trying it within a few hours of bedtime, you can learn how your own body adapts to it. 

If you suffer from anxiety, you may find that while it calms you down, it doesn’t make you drowsy and you can take it throughout the day. As with all supplements, if you have a preexisting condition like GAD, you should talk with your healthcare provider about using Passionflower and the right dosage for you. Also discuss how long you can take it for continued results. 

The sedative effects of Passionflower may be accentuated when taken with other herbs with stress-reducing properties, including Valerian and St. John’s Wort. 

If you are pregnant, you should not take Passionflower. It may induce uterine contractions. It has also been found to disrupt sexual behavior in male offspring. Also, since there are no safety studies on taking Passionflower while breastfeeding, avoid use during this time.

Interested in other ways that I can support you in conquering high performers syndrome and stay at the top of your game?

Check that out here.