Passiflora or Passionflower
Passiflora is a herb that can be really helpful in perimenopause, and for PMS, but it doesn’t have a direct impact on hormones. Passiflora, or Passionflower, is a nervine which means it calms the nervous system. This is why it is great for anxiety and any kind of stress. It also helps with palpitations, which are common enough in perimenopause, and aids sleep by calming an overactive mind. It seems to calm the stress response via the GABA pathways rather than having a direct effect on our stress hormone cortisol – GABA, Gamma-aminobutyric acid, is a neurotransmitter rather a hormone. (1) This is the same pathway that benzodiazepines work on, but the great news is Passiflora is not addictive in any way! Nor does it cause withdrawal effects.
But it can potentially have an indirect effect on our hormonal experience as women too. When women are stressed, many symptoms of both perimenopause and PMS are worse. So, taking Passiflora during perimenopause can certainly help. It can ease mood swings, anxiety, palpitations, overthinking racing mind, help to calm anger and irritability, and aid sleep as well. It also has some antispasmodic and pain-relieving properties that can help to physically relax the body as well as the mind. It is one of my favourite nervine herbs and it is super gentle yet powerful so it can be taken long term. Its actions are cumulative so often people find the longer they take it the better it works.