|
ST. JOHNS WORT - (Hypericum perforatum)
The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that this herb could deter evil spirits. Today, St John’s wort has found new and widespread popularity as a natural antidepressant - a gentle alternative to conventional medications, with far fewer side effects. It might also aid with weight-loss although further studies are needed for conclusive proof.
Common Uses:
- Helps to treat depression.
- Helps to fight off viral and bacterial infections.
- May help to treat premenstrual syndrome (PMS] and fibromyalgia.
- Helps to relieve chronic pain.
- Soothes haemorrhoids.
- May aid in weight loss.
St John’s Wort is available in different Forms:
- Tablet
- Capsule
- Soft gel
- Tincture
- Cream/Ointment
Please Note: If you’re taking conventional antidepressants, consult your doctor before adding or switching to St John’s wort.
If you develop a rash or have difficulty breathing (rarely, people have allergic reactions), get immediate medical help.
Reminder:
If you have a medical or psychiatric condition, talk to your doctor before taking supplements.
What it is St John’s Wort?
A shrubby perennial bearing bright yellow flowers, St John’s wort is cultivated worldwide, It was named after Saint John the Baptist because in the northern hemisphere it blooms around June 24, the day celebrated as his birthday. ‘Wort’ is an old English word for plant. For centuries, St John’s wort was used to soothe nerves and to heal wounds, burns and snake-bites. Supplements are made from the dried flowers, which contain a number of therapeutic substances, including a pigment called hypericin.
What St John’s Wort does?
St John’s wort is most often used to treat mild depression. Scientists aren’t sure exactly how the herb works, though it’s believed to boost levels of the brain chemical serotonin, which is key to mood and emotions.
Major Benefits:
A careful recent analysis of 23 different studies of St John’s wort concluded that the herb was more effective than a placebo in the treatment of mild to moderate depression. Further studies are needed to determine whether it is more effective than conventional anti- depressants. (Few studies have examined its usefulness for more serious depression, though it may prove beneficial for this as well.) St John’s wort may be helpful for many conditions associated with depression too, such as anxiety, stress, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), fibromyalgia or chronic pain; it may even have some direct pain-relieving effects. This herb promotes sound sleep and may be especially valuable when depression is marked by fatigue, sleepiness and low energy levels.
Some people are wary of conventional antidepressants because of their potential for causing undesirable side effects, especially sleeplessness and reduced sexual function. St John’s wort has fewer bothersome side effects and may perhaps offer advantage in certain patients. In addition, although St John’s wort may interact with other antidepressants, it doesn’t appear to interact with most other conventional medicines, making it useful for older people taking multiple medications. The herb seems so promising that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States is now conducting a major study of its effectiveness.
Additional Benefits:
- St John’s wort fights bacteria and viruses as well.
- Research indicates that it may play a key part in combating herpes simplex, influenza and Epstein-Barr virus (the cause of mononucleosis), and preliminary laboratory studies reveal a possible role for the herb in the fight against AIDS.
- When an ointment made from St John’s wort is applied to haemorrhoids, it relieves burning and itching.
- St John’s wort may also be useful as a weight-loss aid.
How much you need:
Dosage:
The recommended dose is 300 mg of an extract standardized to contain 0,3 per cent hypericin, three times a day. Supplements containing 450mg are also available and can be taken twice a day.
Guidelines for use:
Take St John’s wort close to mealtimes to reduce stomach irritation. In the past, those using the herb were advised not to eat certain foods, including matured cheese and red wine - the same foods best avoided by those taking MAO inhibitors (a type of anti depressant). But recent studies suggest that these foods do not present a problem for those on St John’s wort.
Like a prescription antidepressant, the herb must build up in your blood before it becomes effective, so be sure to allow at least four weeks to determine whether it works for you. It can be used over the long term, as needed. Unless you are under the care of a doctor familiar with both conventional antidepressants and St John’s wort, the medication and the herb should not be taken together because of the potential for adverse reactions.
Though no adverse effects have been reported in pregnant or lactating women using the herb, there have been few studies in this group of patients, so caution is advised.
Possible side effects
While uncommon, side effects can include constipation, upset stomach, fatigue, dry mouth and dizziness. People with fair skin are advised to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight while taking St John’s wort, but increased sensitivity to the sun doesn’t appear to be much of a problem at recommended doses. Its use is best avoided during pregnancy and when breast-feeding.
Facts & Tips:
You can buy a 30-day supply of St John’s wort for less than a quarter of the cost of popular conventional antidepressants. Choose preparations which are standardized to contain 0,3 per cent hypericin, the therapeutic ingredient found in the herb.
In Germany, where doctors prescribe herbal remedies routinely, St John’s wort is the most common form of antidepressant.
Latest Findings:
In one recent study, 50 participants with depression were given either St John’s wort or a placebo. After eight weeks, 70 per cent of those on St John’s wort showed a marked improvement, versus 45 per cent of those receiving a placebo. No adverse reactions to the herb were noted.
Although used for mild and moderate depression, St John’s wort may one day prove effective for more severe cases. A study of 209 people with serious depression found the herb as effective as conventional antidepressants. But more research is needed before the supplement can be recommended for this purpose.
Whether you take soft gels, capsules or tablets, St John’s wart may be an effective natural remedy for depression.
|
