St. John’s wort is a plant that has been used for centuries to treat depression symptoms. Researchers have conducted dozens of studies looking at the herb’s antidepressant effects, positive effects have been found, but there are also some drawbacks that people should consider before consuming the remedy.
St. Juan (Hypericum perforatum) is a flowering shrub native to Europe. It gets its name from the fact that it usually blooms on the birthday of John the Baptist in late June. It has been used in traditional European medicine since the ancient Greeks. St. John’s wort can be found in teas, tablets, and liquids at health food stores.
Several studies support the therapeutic benefit of St. John’s wort in the treatment of mild to moderate depression, as shared by the Mayo Clinic.
The herb has been found to de San Juan is more effective than a placebo (an inactive substance) and as effective as standard antidepressant medications for mild and moderate depression, according to the report from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).
St. John’s wort is believed to help improve mood by increasing levels of various chemical messengers in the brain such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
flowers and leaves of St. John’s wort contain active ingredients such as hyperforin, hypericin and adhyperforin, which may be responsible for its medicinal benefits.
There is evidence to suggest that extracts of St. John’s Wort are superior to placebo in patients with major depression, but it is not yet clear if it is effective in the treatment of depression severe and for periods of more than weeks.
Disadvantages of St. John’s wort
The NCCIH warns that St. John’s wort can have negative effects, weaken life-saving medications, and interact in dangerous, sometimes life-threatening ways with several of these medications.
The Mayo Clinic notes that when taken orally for up to weeks at appropriate doses, St. John’s wort is generally considered safe.
Among the side effects that the use of St. John’s wort can cause, they include: insomnia, agitation, and anxiety, dry mouth, dizziness, diarrhea, constipation, and upset stomach, fatigue, headache, or sexual dysfunction.
When taken in large doses, St. John’s wort may increase sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity).
St. John’s wort can weaken medications, including uyen: antidepressants; birth control pills; cyclosporine, which prevents the body from rejecting transplanted organs; heart medications such as digoxin and ivabradine; HIV medications, including indinavir and nevirapine; cancer drugs including irinotecan and imatinib; warfarin, a blood thinner; and certain statins, including simvastatin.
Taking St. John’s wort with certain antidepressants or other medications that affect serotonin may cause an increase in serotonin-related side effects.
During pregnancy or lactation, the consumption of St. John’s wort may not be safe. Breastfeeding babies of mothers taking St. John’s wort may experience colic, drowsiness, and irritability.
Blair Green Thielemier, PharmD, told Healthline that dosage varies due to non-standard manufacturing. A normal dose range is from 98 to 786 mg per day. It is usually taken in divided doses (300 mg three times a day or 600 mg twice daily).
For safety, before consuming herbal remedies to treat depression it is advisable to consult a doctor.
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