Last Updated on June 1, 2025 by Nico
Passionflower tincture is a wonderfully calming herbal remedy that can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and stress. This passionflower tincture recipe is simple and takes only two ingredients to make.
Passionflower (passiflora edulis) has been used by native people in Central and South America for centuries for its calming effects, to treat anxiety, and help improve sleep quality. Native American tribes also grew passionflower for medical purposes as well as for the fruits. It continues to be valued for its ability to help address a range of health conditions.
Other herbs that are good for stress relief, and anxiety, and promoting better sleep are valerian root, wild lettuce, and St. John’s Wort.
Benefits of Passionflower Tincture
Reduce symptoms of anxiety – Passionflowers contain compounds like flavonoids and alkaloids that modulate neurotransmitter activity which can reduce anxiety levels.
Helps promote restful sleep – Passionflower tincture can increase the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, which calms the nervous system, promotes relaxation, and improves sleep quality. It’s widely considered a natural sedative because of this property!
Reduce stress – Increased GABA also helps reduce feelings of stress so passionflower tincture can be helpful in providing stress relief. I find that it calms my mind when my mind runs wild.
Improve mood – Increased GABA levels also help to boost your mood!
Provide pain relief – The tincture can act as a mild pain reliever, helping to alleviate headaches and muscle cramps.
Support healthy digestion – Passionflowers have antispasmodic properties that can relieve symptoms of indigestion and gastrointestinal discomfort.
Folk method
I use the folk method to make herbal tinctures at home, which means that the measurements are less precise (I simply add the plant matter to a jar and cover it with alcohol, rather than weighting the leaves or flowers). This is the simplest way to make herbal tinctures but it does mean that the nutritional value within each batch isn’t exactly consistent.
How to make passionflower tincture
Tools
An airtight container with a plastic lid – I use a glass mason jar with parchment paper between the metal lid and tincture or extraction to prevent the alcohol from corroding the metal.
Small amber glass bottles with dropper tops – I like these
A fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or coffee filter – I like these unbleached ones
A small funnel
A knife or food processor – for chopping up fresh passionflower vine, leaves, and flowers
Supplies
Fresh or dried passionflower – you can use fresh leaves, vines, flower buds, and flowers. Here’s a bulk source.
80-proof vodka (or 40% alcohol) – If you want to avoid alcohol, you can swap out the alcohol for store-bought apple cider vinegar or food-grade glycerin – I buy this bulk raw apple cider vinegar and this food-grade glycerin. If you’re using fresh flowers, consider using a high-proof alcohol, which will be more effective at preventing spoilage from the water content in the plant.
For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.
Instructions
Begin by using a knife or food processor to break down the passionflower into small pieces. This is to maximise the surface area of the leaves and flowers that is exposed to the alcohol. The more area that is exposed, the more nutritional benefits the alcohol can draw out from the plant. You can use a food processor to make this faster as well.
Add the plant material to a steralised glass jar. Fill the jar ⅓ of the way full with the dried passionflower leaves. If you’re using fresh passionflower, fill the jar about ¾ of the way full.
Completely cover the plant material with alcohol.
Add the lid and shake the jar to ensure everything is covered in alcohol.
Date and label the jar so you don’t forget what it is. Place it in a cool dark place and leave it sit for 6-8 weeks. Try to remember to shake it a few times a week to keep everything submerged in the alcohol.
After 6-8 weeks, strain it off using cheesecloth, a coffee filter, or a fine mesh strainer. Make sure to completely remove the plant material from the tincture to avoid the tincture going bad more quickly.
Add the tincture to your dropper bottle and date and label the bottle so you don’t mix it up with your other tinctures.
Store it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. That’s it, enjoy!
How much passionflower tincture to take?
I like to take 1-2 droppers full per day (20-30 drops per dose) for mood support and to help with stress. You can start by taking a small amount and work your way up. You can also take a dropper full before bed to help with sleep.
How long does passionflower tincture last?
Like many homemade alcohol-based herbal tinctures, this tincture has a long shelf life if stored away from direct sunlight. I like to use the tincture within 1-2 years.
How to make this without alcohol
You can simply swap the alcohol for store-bought apple cider vinegar or food-grade glycerin. Vinegar and glycerin aren’t as good as alcohol at extracting the beneficial compounds or preserving them. I like to consume vinegar-based extracts within about 6 months and glycerin-based extracts within a year.
Ways to consume passionflower tincture
Directly – Place the dosage directly under the tongue for rapid absorption. Hold it there for 30 seconds and then swallow.
Dilute in warm water – I like to dilute the tincture in warm water before going to bed.
Blend in tea – Add the dosage to a cup of herbal tea. I like to add it to mint or lemon balm tea before bed as well!
Disclaimer – I’m not a medical professional and do not intend to offer medical advice in any content I create. I offer information for educational purposes and, as always, get your physician’s advice or the advice of a qualified healthcare practitioner before trying a new herbal remedy. There are always possible unintended consequences of trying a new herbal remedy such as an allergic reaction or unexpected side effects like interactions with other medication.
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How To Make Passionflower Tincture (Calming Herbal Tincture)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Begin by using a knife or food processor to break down the passionflower into small pieces. This is to maximise the surface area of the leaves and flowers that is exposed to the alcohol. The more area that is exposed, the more nutritional benefits the alcohol can draw out from the plant. You can use a food processor to make this faster as well.
- Add the plant material to a steralised glass jar. Fill the jar ⅓ of the way full with the dried passionflower leaves. If you’re using fresh passionflower, fill the jar about ¾ of the way full.
- Completely cover the plant material with alcohol.
- Add the lid and shake the jar to ensure everything is covered in alcohol.
- Date and label the jar so you don’t forget what it is. Place it in a cool dark place and leave it sit for 6-8 weeks. Try to remember to shake it a few times a week to keep everything submerged in the alcohol.
- After 6-8 weeks, strain it off using cheesecloth, a coffee filter, or a fine mesh strainer. Make sure to completely remove the plant material from the tincture to avoid the tincture going bad more quickly.
- Add the tincture to your dropper bottle and date and label the bottle so you don’t mix it up with your other tinctures.
- Store it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. That’s it, enjoy!
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