How does passion flower in teas help combat menopausal symptoms?

How Passion Flower Helps Combat Menopausal Symptoms

Whenever women get to the menopausal phase of their lives, they go through a lot. This phase is typically characterized by hot flashes, mood swings, insomnia, depression, and irritability, among other discomforts. Thankfully, various natural remedies can help minimize these symptoms. Among these remedies is the passion flower herb, often consumed in a tea form.

Effectiveness of Passion Flower

Passion flower, known scientifically as Passiflora incarnata, is well recognized for its calming effects on the body's nervous system. The herb contains an array of phytochemicals - namely, flavonoids and alkaloids - that actively work to soothe an agitated nervous system, thereby reducing anxiety and inducing sleep (Dhawan, K., Kumar, R., & Sharma, A., 2001). This makes it particularly beneficial to menopausal women who often experience anxiety and insomnia among their symptoms.

Hot Flashes and Mood Swings

Moreover, studies have demonstrated that passion flower can play a role in reducing hot flashes - a common, disturbing symptom of menopause (Fahami, F., Asali, Z., Aslani, A., & Fathizadeh, N., 2010). Other research suggests that passion flower may help alleviate mood swings, thanks to its demonstrated role as a mood elevator (Sarris, J., McIntyre, E., & Camfield, D. A., 2013).

A Natural Solution

Overall, the calming effects of passion flower and its potential ability to alleviate some menopausal discomforts make it an attractive natural remedy. It is worth mentioning that before integrating passion flower or any other supplement into your routine, you should consult your healthcare provider, especially if taking other medications or dealing with other health conditions.

References

Dhawan, K., Kumar, R., & Sharma, A. (2001). Anxiolytic activity of aerial and underground parts of Passiflora incarnata. Fitoterapia, 72(8), 922-926. Fahami, F., Asali, Z., Aslani, A., & Fathizadeh, N. (2010). A comparative study on the effects of Hypericum Perforatum and passion flower on the menopausal symptoms of women referring to Isfahan city health care centers. Iranian journal of nursing and midwifery research, 15(4), 202. Sarris, J., McIntyre, E., & Camfield, D. A. (2013). Plant-based medicines for anxiety disorders, Part 2: a review of clinical studies with supporting preclinical evidence. CNS drugs, 27(4), 301-319.