Passionflower: a natural ally for serenity and sleep during the conception journey

Its aerial parts, leaves and stems, contain specific flavonoids including chrysin, alkaloids and compounds that promote GABA activity in the brain, which explains its well-documented mild sedative and anxiolytic benefits.

Its primary use in clinical practice is the treatment of mild to moderate insomnia and anxiety, for which its efficacy has been confirmed by randomised clinical trials. The standardisation of the extract in flavonoids determines the consistency and reliability of its effects.

In its natural form, passionflower is virtually never consumed as a food in everyday European life. Its fruits, passion fruits, belong to other species of the Passiflora genus, principally Passiflora edulis, and are enjoyed in juices, desserts or smoothies for their tangy flavour. The leaves and stems of Passiflora incarnata, which are the medicinally active parts, are traditionally consumed as an infusion in North American countries, where they have been used for centuries by indigenous peoples to promote relaxation. In Europe, they are found in certain evening herbal teas often combined with valerian or lemon balm for a more complete sedative effect. The absorption of its active flavonoids depends on the extraction method and the quality of the dried plant. A light infusion provides gentle effects that are difficult to standardise according to individual needs.

In food supplement, passionflower is found primarily as a dry extract of aerial parts standardised in flavonoids, in tablets, capsules, mother tincture, liquid ampoules, or integrated into relaxation and sleep supplements. The liquid ampoule form, as found in Cocooning+ by Jolly Mama, has the advantage of rapid absorption and convenient daily use. To ensure consistent efficacy from one batch to the next, an extract standardised in total flavonoids is preferable to a simple raw plant powder. The organic origin of the plant and the traceability of the extract are important quality criteria. Passionflower is naturally vegan. It is not recommended during pregnancy as a precaution, and should be avoided in combination with sedative or anxiolytic medications without prior medical advice.