Is Passionflower Extract Safe for Pregnancy Insomnia?

By Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed by Eureka Health Medical Group
Published: June 25, 2025Updated: June 25, 2025

Summary

Current data do not prove that passionflower extract is safe during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown possible uterine-stimulating effects, and no well-controlled human trials exist. Most obstetric and herbal-medicine guidelines therefore advise against passionflower in any trimester. If pregnancy insomnia is troublesome, first use non-drug sleep strategies and speak with your obstetric clinician before taking any herbal product, including teas or capsules containing passionflower.

Is passionflower a safe choice for sleepless pregnant nights?

Short answer: Probably not. Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) has not been proven safe in pregnancy, and laboratory studies raise theoretical risks. “Because the safety profile is unknown, our default recommendation is to avoid it until after delivery,” notes the team at Eureka Health.

  • No human pregnancy trials existThe National Library of Medicine lists zero randomized controlled studies evaluating passionflower use in pregnant people.
  • Animal data suggest uterine contractionsRodent research found certain Passiflora alkaloids increased uterine tone by up to 30 %, creating concern for pre-term labor risks.
  • Regulatory agencies urge cautionThe European Medicines Agency classifies passionflower as contraindicated during pregnancy because of insufficient safety evidence.
  • Labeling gaps complicate dosageCommercial extracts vary from 0.5 % to 4 % flavonoids, so even small dosing errors could change fetal exposure markedly.
  • Case series links passionflower exposure to neonatal complicationsAmong five documented pregnancies exposed to Passiflora incarnata, clinicians observed one neonatal death, two premature ruptures of membranes, two meconium aspiration events, and one instance of persistent pulmonary hypertension, underscoring the need for caution. (NLM)
  • Insomnia benefits remain unproven in clinical reviewsWebMD concludes there is “little evidence” that passionflower effectively treats insomnia, so pregnant users incur potential risks without a well-established benefit. (WebMD)

References

When should pregnancy insomnia trigger an urgent call to your clinician?

Most insomnia is frustrating but not dangerous. Still, there are warning signs that point to underlying medical problems. “Any sudden change in sleep paired with headache or high blood pressure must be evaluated the same day,” says Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI.

  • Severe headaches with visual flashesCould signal pre-eclampsia; affects 5–8 % of pregnancies and can escalate within hours.
  • Shortness of breath when lying flatMay indicate peripartum cardiomyopathy, a rare but serious heart condition developing in 1 in 1,000 pregnancies.
  • Leg pain or swelling on one sideDeep-vein thrombosis increases during pregnancy and can present with night discomfort.
  • Heartburn unrelieved by antacidsPersistent reflux plus insomnia may hide HELLP syndrome; immediate labs are warranted.
  • Fetal movement noticeably decreasedLess than 10 kicks in two hours after 28 weeks needs prompt assessment.
  • Passionflower supplements are contraindicated in pregnancyDrugs.com warns that passionflower, sometimes used for insomnia, has uterine-stimulant properties and should be avoided while pregnant; discuss any herbal sleep aid with your clinician before use. (Drugs.com)
  • Small case series links passiflora use to serious neonatal outcomesIn a study of five pregnant patients treated with Passiflora incarnata, researchers documented one neonatal death and two cases of premature rupture of membranes, underscoring the need for immediate medical guidance before trying herbal insomnia remedies. (PubMed)

References

What does the scientific literature actually say about passionflower in pregnancy?

Evidence is sparse. Most information comes from animal models and case reports. The team at Eureka Health summarizes the landscape: “Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence of harm—this is especially important for any botanical in pregnancy.”

  • Only four animal studies address reproductionTwo showed increased uterine contractions; one showed no effect; one lacked proper controls.
  • Traditional use data are anecdotalHistorical texts mention calming teas but provide no systematic safety follow-up on mothers or infants.
  • No congenital anomaly registries list passionflowerSurveillance systems like OTIS have not gathered enough exposed cases to evaluate malformation risk.
  • Herb–drug interactions are plausiblePassionflower inhibits CYP3A4 in vitro by up to 40 %, which could raise serum levels of prenatal vitamins or progesterone treatments.
  • Case series of five exposed pregnancies reported serious perinatal complicationsAmong five Turkish women treated with Passiflora incarnata for anxiety or depression during gestation, investigators noted one neonatal death, two cases of premature membrane rupture, two infants with meconium aspiration, and one persistent pulmonary hypertension, though no structural birth defects were detected at 6-month follow-up. (Elsevier)
  • European regulators list pregnancy as a contraindication for passionflowerThe e-lactancia safety database states that the European Medicines Agency does not authorize passionflower use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, advising only short-term, low-dose exposure if unavoidable and recommending infant monitoring for sedation. (e-lactancia)

References

How can I manage pregnancy insomnia without herbal extracts?

Behavioral changes often improve sleep within two weeks and carry no pharmacologic risk. Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, advises, “Start with consistent bedtime rituals and targeted relaxation—these outperform most over-the-counter aids in controlled trials.”

  • Keep a fixed sleep–wake scheduleGoing to bed and rising within the same 30-minute window trains the circadian rhythm; 78 % of pregnant participants in a 2023 study reported better sleep after three weeks.
  • Limit fluids two hours before bedReduces nocturia; fewer bathroom trips translate to a median 42-minute increase in uninterrupted sleep.
  • Use side-lying pillow supportPlacing a firm pillow between knees decreases back pain scores by 35 % and helps maintain a comfortable position.
  • Practice 4-7-8 breathingIn a small randomized trial, this technique shortened sleep-onset latency from 27 to 15 minutes.
  • Try daytime light exposureAt least 30 minutes of morning sunlight improved night melatonin profiles in 60 % of pregnant women in a 2022 cohort.
  • Shut down screens an hour before bedMotherSafe advises avoiding phones, tablets and television for at least 60 minutes before lights-out; cutting blue-light exposure allows melatonin to rise naturally without any pharmacologic aid. (MotherSafe)
  • Insomnia is common and tied to pregnancy complicationsUp to 78 % of pregnant people report insomnia, which is associated with longer labors, C-sections, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes—making early lifestyle fixes especially important. (Verywell)

References

Which labs or medications might your clinician consider for stubborn pregnancy insomnia?

If non-drug strategies fail, your obstetrician will first look for underlying causes before discussing any treatment. “We rule out thyroid disorder, iron deficiency and mood issues before touching sedatives,” reminds the team at Eureka Health.

  • TSH and free T4 to uncover thyroid imbalanceHyperthyroidism is found in about 0.2 % of pregnancies and often presents with restlessness and poor sleep.
  • Ferritin to check iron storesLevels under 30 µg/L can cause restless-legs symptoms; iron repletion improved sleep quality in 70 % of affected women in one trial.
  • CBC to evaluate anemia that worsens fatigueAnemia affects up to 20 % of pregnancies and paradoxically can cause wakefulness through tachycardia.
  • Prescription hierarchy favors doxylamineWhen a medication is unavoidable, clinicians usually start with low-dose doxylamine (an older antihistamine considered Pregnancy Category A in many regions).
  • Avoidance of benzodiazepines if possibleThese drugs cross the placenta; cohort data link first-trimester exposure to a 1.2-fold rise in oral clefts.
  • Up to 80 % of pregnant individuals report insomnia symptomsPrevalence this high underscores why clinicians first exclude medical contributors like thyroid or iron imbalance before prescribing sedatives. (LifeMD)
  • Herbal sedatives such as passionflower are discouraged during pregnancyPassionflower is listed as contraindicated because its uterine-stimulant properties could jeopardize fetal safety, so clinicians generally avoid it when pharmacologic help is needed. (Drugs.com)

References

How can Eureka’s AI doctor guide you through pregnancy insomnia safely?

Eureka’s AI platform collects your symptoms, sleep logs and vitals, then applies evidence-based obstetric triage. “The system flags any concerning patterns—like rising blood pressure alongside insomnia—and prompts a physician review within hours,” explains the team at Eureka Health.

  • Personalized sleep plan in under 5 minutesAfter answering 15 quick questions, users receive a tailored checklist of behavioral tweaks validated in obstetric sleep studies.
  • Automatic lab recommendationsIf your answers suggest iron deficiency, the AI generates a ferritin order that a human clinician signs off on before release.
  • Secure medication reviewUpload any supplement label, and Eureka cross-checks for teratogenic ingredients within seconds.

Why thousands of pregnant users choose Eureka for safe, evidence-based care

Women using Eureka for perinatal sleep issues rate the app 4.8 out of 5 stars for clarity and peace of mind. Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, notes, “Patients tell us they feel heard because the AI never rushes—they can message any time of night.”

  • 24⁄7 chat means help during sleepless hoursReal-time conversation avoids waiting until morning clinic hours.
  • Human oversight on every prescriptionBoard-certified physicians review AI suggestions before any pharmacy order is sent.
  • Privacy built for sensitive health dataEureka uses end-to-end encryption and never shares information without explicit consent.
  • Progress tracking keeps goals realisticWeekly sleep-quality graphs help users see small wins, increasing adherence to non-drug tactics by 60 %.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drink passionflower tea occasionally while pregnant if I’m desperate for sleep?

Because safety data are missing and uterine effects are possible, most obstetric experts advise avoiding any form—including tea—during pregnancy.

Is passionflower safer in the second or third trimester than in the first?

No trimester has proven safe exposure levels; the theoretical risk of triggering contractions may even rise later in pregnancy.

Are other herbal sleep aids, like chamomile, better studied in pregnancy?

Chamomile has more human data but still lacks rigorous trials. Discuss any herb with your prenatal care provider first.

Could passionflower show up on a drug screen?

Standard obstetric tox screens do not test for Passiflora compounds, but that does not make the herb safe.

What if I took passionflower before I knew I was pregnant?

Stop the supplement and inform your clinician. A routine ultrasound and anatomy scan are usually all that is necessary.

How long should I try non-drug strategies before asking about medication?

If insomnia lasts more than two weeks despite daily behavioral changes, ask your provider to review other causes and treatment options.

Does passionflower interact with prenatal vitamins?

In vitro data suggest it can inhibit enzymes that metabolize vitamin A and D, potentially raising their blood levels.

Will acupuncture help my pregnancy insomnia instead of herbs?

Small trials show modest benefit; choosing a practitioner experienced in treating pregnant patients is crucial for safety.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis, treatment, and personalized medical recommendations.

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