St. Johns Wort for Depression
St. Johns Wort is extracted from the plant “hypericum perforatum” and has been used for ages as a natural anti-depressant and mood enhancer. It is not entirely clear how St. Johns Wort works in the body; however, it appears that its active ingredients interact with compounds found in the brain that regulate emotions and mood.
“Overall, we found that the St. John’s wort extracts tested in the trials were superior to placebos and as effective as standard antidepressants, with fewer side effects,” says lead researcher, Klaus Linde of the Centre for Complementary Medicine in Munich, Germany.
(Wiley-Blackwell. “St. John’s Wort Relieves Symptoms Of Major Depression, Study Shows.” ScienceDaily 13 October 2008. 29 July 2009 <http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2008/10/081007192435.htm>.)
The dosage for St. Johns Wort varies from person to person, but 300-900mg/day is a standard dose.
St. Johns Wort is generally safe; however, some side effects that have been reported include insomnia, vivid dreams, restlessness, anxiety, irritability, stomach upset, fatigue, dry mouth, dizziness, headache, skin rash, diarrhea, and tingling. It has also been noted that this product may cause skin to become more sensitive to the sun.
St. Johns Wort is most effective and proven for treating mild and moderate depression, not severe depression. If you experience any signs of depression make sure to talk to your physician right away!
READ: The above information does not constitute as any sort of professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before taking any supplements or medications and before acting on any information found on this website.
