Passionflower has one of the most stunning, intricate flowers in the world. The trailing vine is native to the southern United States—although the “passion” part of its name came from European explorers who saw symbols of the Passion of Christ in its showy, fringed blossoms.

The herb is made from dried leaves and stems of the Passiflora incarnata vine. All parts of the plant are known to combat anxiety and promote relaxation, but the leaves are perhaps the most potent. Contemporary herbalists recommend passionflower herb as a sleep aid and gentle sedative.

Passionflower herb, cut and sifted, is popular in bedtime teas and can be used as a simple tisane or combined with other calming herbs like chamomile, lavender, and lemon balm. Although generally considered safe, some people experience dizziness when using passionflower herb, and it should be used cautiously with other herbs or medications.