How Passionflower Can Gently Support Better Sleep
Dr Seeta MBChB BSc (Hons) DipNT
These days, getting a decent night’s sleep feels harder than ever. Whether it’s stress, too much screen time, or simply not being able to switch off, many of us struggle to drift off or stay asleep through the night. But sleep isn’t just about feeling rested — it plays a huge role in our overall health, helping with everything from mood and memory to immune support.
The trouble is, poor sleep has become so common that feeling tired all the time almost feels normal. The truth is, good sleep matters — and we could all use a bit more of it. One of the things that can really help you to get a good night’s sleep is herbal tea- and in particular passionflower tea.
What Exactly Is Passionflower?
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a striking climbing vine native to the Americas, easily recognised by its intricate purple and white blooms. Though often admired for its visual beauty, it’s the leaves and flowers that have earned it a long-standing place in herbal traditions, particularly for their calming properties.
Today, scientific research is beginning to explore how passionflower works — and the findings are promising. The key appears to lie in its effect on GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a neurotransmitter that helps quiet the nervous system. By increasing GABA levels in the brain, passionflower encourages a sense of calm and helps the body transition more easily from alertness to rest.
How Passionflower May Improve Sleep Quality
Passionflower’s strength isn’t in sedating the body, but in gently promoting a relaxed mental state. Think of it as softening the mental edges at the end of a long day — reducing the mental noise that can often get in the way of sleep.
Early studies and anecdotal reports suggest passionflower may help:
- Soothe nervous or racing thoughts, especially in the evening
- Enhance sleep quality, particularly when the mind feels overactive
- Support the body’s natural sleep cycle without causing grogginess or disruption
In one small clinical study, participants who drank passionflower tea nightly for a week reported noticeable improvements in sleep quality compared to a placebo. While more research is always welcome, these early findings align with centuries of traditional use.
Why Cydno Tea Gets It Right
Not all herbal teas are created equal. Cydno Tea brings a thoughtful, evidence-informed approach to creating their teas, using ethically sourced passionflower in their sleep-supporting infusions.
Cydno is on a mission to build awareness around the power of nature’s more underrated herbs — like passionflower — which has been quietly supporting rest and relaxation for centuries. By bringing these gentle botanicals into the spotlight, Cydno encourages people to rediscover the calming rituals of herbal tea. It’s a simple, natural way to wind down, helping more people find the restful sleep they’ve been missing — one soothing cup at a time.
A Gentle Night-time Ritual
In a time when overstimulation is the norm, it’s often the quiet rituals that make the biggest difference. Brewing a cup of herbal tea can become one of those moments — a signal to the mind and body that it’s time to slow down. It’s a gentle way to unwind, switch off, and set yourself up to a have a good night’s sleep.
Dr Seeta Shah, cofounder of The Green Doctor, is a GP and Nutritional Therapist.
References
Ngan, A. and Conduit, R., 2011. A double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation of the effects of Passiflora incarnata (passionflower) herbal tea on subjective sleep quality. Phytotherapy Research, 25(8), pp.1153–1159. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.3400
Dimpfel, W., Schombert, L., and Panossian, A., 2019. Effects of passionflower extract on the EEG of patients suffering from insomnia: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, polysomnographic study. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 10, Article 1283. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2019.01283
Loizzo, M.R., Nucera, S., Tundis, R., Sicari, V., and Bonesi, M., 2024. Efficacy of a standardized Passiflora incarnata extract in managing stress and sleep disturbances: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Cureus, 16(2), e50892. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.50892