St. John's Wort
St. John's Wort is a perennial herb common to Europe and North America. The golden yellow flowers of the plant are used to make preparations and extracts; these formulations of St. John's Wort are referred to as hypericum.
Preparations of St. John's Wort can be used to treat:
- mild-to-moderate depressive moods
- anxiety
Note: Depressive symptoms that are severe enough to interfere with ordinary daily activities should be discussed with a physician before decisions are made regarding treatment choices.
Dose
St. John's Wort is available in a variety of product types.
- The recommended daily dose of St. John's Wort is 600 to 900 milligrams of extract taken over two to three doses.
- No time limitation for using St. John's Wort has been established.
Cautions
Situations in which use of St. John's Wort is not advised
People who have cancer, heart disease, seizures, HIV, or who have received organ transplants should not use St. John's Wort.
Although human studies show no evidence of harm, pregnant women who are at elevated risk of giving birth prematurely should not use hypericum.
Side Effects
Use of hypericum may cause photosensitivity and, possibly, nerve damage in sun-exposed areas of the skin (Bove, 1998). The nerve damage is repaired after discontinuing the use of St. John's Wort. Avoid sun exposure and tanning salons, and use sunscreen when taking St. John's Wort.
Drug Interactions
Do not combine hypericum with prescription antidepressants, except as prescribed by your physician. May decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills.
