Is passionflower safe during pregnancy?
No. NCCIH advises against use in pregnancy because it may induce uterine contractions, a caution drawn from animal models, and safety data are lacking.
The short answer
The WHO monograph contraindicates passionflower in pregnancy because it stimulated uterine contractions in animal models, the European Medicines Agency does not recommend it in pregnancy or breastfeeding for lack of data, and NCCIH states plainly that it should not be used during pregnancy. No fertility or reproductive-toxicity studies have been performed. Discuss any sleep or anxiety concern in pregnancy with your midwife or clinician rather than using the herb.
Sources
- Passionflower: Usefulness and SafetyNCCIH
- Herba Passiflorae, in WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants, Volume 3World Health Organization
- European Union herbal monograph on Passiflora incarnata L., herbaEuropean Medicines Agency