Passionflower Tea: The Calming Herb That Isn't Chamomile
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Passionflower tea is a caffeine free herbal tea made from the leaves, stems and flowers of Passiflora incarnata. It has a mild, grassy, slightly earthy taste and has been used for generations as a relaxing evening drink. If chamomile isn't for you, it's one of the best alternatives around.
What is passionflower?
Passiflora incarnata is a perennial wildflower commonly found in the southern United States. Its name has a story: Spanish explorers learned about the plant from native Peruvians and named it for its resemblance to a crucifix, "the Passion" being the Christian term for the final period of Jesus' life. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterHealthline
It's the same plant family as the passionfruit vine, but the tea is made from the leaves and flowers rather than the fruit, so it doesn't taste tropical.
What does passionflower tea taste like?
On its own, passionflower is gentle. Think soft green herbs with a hint of hay and earth. It's mild enough that it's often blended with bolder ingredients like peppermint, lemon balm or spices, which is how most people drink it.
Passionflower vs chamomile
Chamomile gets most of the attention when people look for a calming tea. Here's how they compare.
| Passionflower | Chamomile | |
|---|---|---|
| Plant family | Passifloraceae (passionfruit family) | Asteraceae (daisy family) |
| Flavour | Grassy, earthy, subtle | Floral, apple-like, honeyed |
| Caffeine | None | None |
| Best in | Blends with mint or spice | On its own or with honey |
| Traditional use | Relaxation and restlessness | Relaxation and digestion |
If you find chamomile too floral, or you avoid daisy-family plants, passionflower is worth trying.
How to brew passionflower tea
Use freshly boiled water. Steep one tea bag for 3 to 5 minutes (longer gives a stronger flavour). Drink it warm about an hour before bed, or let it cool and pour over ice.
Where passionflower fits at MOOD
Our Be Kind, Unwind blend pairs passionflower and linden flower, both traditionally used for relaxation, with cooling peppermint and a warm layer of cinnamon, fennel and ginger. It's naturally caffeine free and one customer says it doesn't have an overpowering mint taste, so you can leave the bag in.
Ingredients: peppermint (33%), cinnamon (20%), liquorice root, passionflower, fennel seed, ginger, linden flower.
Like all our herbal blends, it contains liquorice root, which isn't recommended during pregnancy or for people with high blood pressure without checking with a doctor first.
Looking for a full evening routine? Pair it with Sweet Lullaby, our rooibos and vanilla blend. Or read our guide to caffeine free tea in Australia.
FAQs
Is passionflower tea caffeine free?
Yes. Passionflower is a herb, not the tea plant, so it contains no caffeine.
What does passionflower tea taste like?
Mild, grassy and slightly earthy. It's usually blended with mint or spices for more flavour.
Is passionflower tea a good alternative to chamomile?
Yes, especially if you find chamomile too floral or avoid daisy-family plants. Both are caffeine free herbal teas traditionally drunk to relax.
P.S. MOOD is a certified social enterprise. 100% of our profits fund youth mental health programs across Australia.