Pros & Cons Of Using St. John's Wort For Depression

St. John's wort is an herbal supplement available for purchase over the counter. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration forbids claims of treatment for medical conditions on supplement labeling, St John's wort has been studied for the treatment of mild to moderate depression symptoms. Unfortunately, St. John's wort can also affect liver enzymes responsible for the metabolism of many different prescription drugs.

St. John's Wort

St. John's wort, also known as goatweed, has been used for centuries as an herbal remedy for mood disorders and nerve pain. In modern times, extracts from the flowering part of the plant can be found in a variety of herbal formulations, including teas, capsules and liquids. St. John's wort is widely available in most retail stores and pharmacies.

St John's Wort for Depression

Although St. John's wort has been used for centuries for various health conditions, it is primarily used today for the purpose of improving symptoms associated with depression. According to a 2003 review of St. John's wort published by the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine, Paul Hammerness, M.D., and colleagues reported that studies examining the effects of St. John's wort found that it was better than placebo in the short-term treatment of mild to moderate depression.

Adverse Effects of St. John's Wort

In rare cases, St. John's wort can cause an allergic reaction that includes rash and itching in individuals who are sensitive to the plant. Although St John's wort is generally well tolerated, it may produce adverse side effects that include stomach upset, fatigue, anxiety, impotence, photosensitivity, dizziness, headache and dry mouth.

Drug Interactions

Besides adverse side effects, another negative aspect of St. John's wort is the potential for interactions with other prescription drugs. According to Harvard Medical School, St. John's wort can be a potent inducer of cytochrome P-450, or CYP, enzymes within the liver. Since a wide variety of prescription drugs are metabolized by these enzymes, the use of St. John's wort may interfere with the effectiveness of these medications. The induction of CYP enzymes by St. John's wort can increase the metabolism of other medications, resulting in lower therapeutic effectiveness and possibly require the patient to take higher doses of these drugs.

Significance

Although St. John's wort has been used throughout history as a treatment for various conditions, it is primarily used in modern times to alleviate symptoms associated with depression. Unfortunately, it also has the potential to interfere with other prescription medications. Patients should always speak to a physician with concerns regarding depression and before using St. John's wort.