The scientific name for St. John's Wort is Hypericum perforatum L. The herb is cultivated on farms, but it is also found in the wild throughout the majority of the United States. In the wild, St. John's Wort is often considered a nuisance weed, because it is fast growing and easily spreads. The U.S. Department of Agriculture lists St. John's Wort as a "noxious weed." According to the National Center for Alternative and Complementary Medicine, the plant was originally named after John the Baptist, because it blooms yellow flowers "around the time of the feast of St. John the Baptist in late June." St. John's Wort has been used for centuries as a natural herbal treatment for various medical conditions. There have been limited scientific studies conducted on the herb. Scientific studies have shown that St. John's Wort is effective in treating minor to moderate depression. More scientific studies may or may not show that St. John's Wort is useful for other conditions.
Depression
Medline Plus, a service provided by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, reports that studies show St. John's Wort is as effective as tricyclic antidepressants in the treatment of mild and moderate depression and produces fewer side effects. However, the scientific studies showed that St. John's Wort was no more effective than a placebo for the treatment of severe depression.
Other Uses
Some people use St. John's Wort to treat other health problems besides depression. Some of these other uses include anxiety, OCD, premenstrual syndrome and dermatitis. According to Medline Plus, there is no clear evidence about whether St. John's Wort is or is not effective in treating these conditions.
Dosages
The dosages of St. John's Wort in herbal supplements are not standardized. Because of this, you should read the manufacturer's label and talk to your doctor to determine the proper dosage. According to Medline Plus, scientific studies were based on oral dosages of 900 to 1,800 mg of St. John's Wort a day. Studies on the effectiveness of St. John's Wort for atopic dermatitis used 1.5 percent topical hyperforin (the active ingredient in St. John's Wort) a day applied to the rash. St. John's Wort has not been tested on children who are under the age of 18 and therefore there are no known safe dosages for children.
Side Effects
The most common side effects associated with taking St. John's Wort are stomach upset, rash, fatigue, anxiety, headaches, dry mouth, sexual impotence and dizziness. These symptoms are usually minor. In some people, St John's Wort may cause depression and suicidal thoughts. Depression and suicidal thoughts most likely develop in people who suffer from depression or other mental health conditions. People who have not been diagnosed with mental health conditions, may still experience depression or suicidal thoughts after taking St. John's Wort. Immediately stop taking St. John's Wort if undesirable side effects develop.
Interactions with Medications
Always consult with your doctor before taking St. John's Wort, because the herb may interact with or reduce the effectiveness of other medications. Some medications that St. John's Wort should not be taken with without a doctor's approval are birth control pills, antidepressants, cyclosporine, digoxin, irinotecan, warfarin and HIV medications.
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