Depression is an illness, and while there are prescription medications to help relieve symptoms, some people have turned to herbs and supplements as an alternative treatment. St. John's wort is an herb that has shown success in treating depression symptoms, although the results can vary depending on the severity of the depression. If you have depression, talk to your health care provider about this herb before using it.
About the Herb
Besides being used to treat depression, Hypericum perforatum, also known as St. John's wort, is a plant that has been used to treat a variety of conditions, including anxiety and sleep disorders. St. John's wort has also been used to heal wounds and burns. It contains numerous chemical compounds, including hypericin and hyperforin, which are thought to be the primary compounds that are responsible for this herb's benefits. St. John's wort has also been found to have antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.
Treatment for Depression
This herb has been prescribed in England as an anti-depressant. Many people have had a reduction in their symptoms with this supplement, although it takes three to four weeks to take effect. According to the NCCAM, studies on the effectiveness of St. John's wort for depression have been mixed. People with minor depression may experience a reduction in their symptoms, but for major depression, only minimal benefits were found. A study co-sponsored by NCCAM and the National Institutes of Mental Health and the Office of Dietary Supplements found that the herb was no more effective than placebo in treating major depression that is moderately severe; sertraline, the generic form of Zoloft, was also found to be no more effective than placebo in the same study. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that in some studies, St. John's wort has been found to be as effective as antidepressant drugs like fluoxetine and citalopram. More studies are being done to obtain additional information on the use of this herb for depression.
Side Effects
If you take St. John's wort, some side effects may occur. The NCCAM lists some of these effects as including dry mouth, dizziness, nausea, fatigue and increased sensitivity to sunlight. The herb may also interact with other medications, like birth control pills, antidepressants, anticoagulant drugs, certain anti-cancer drugs, digoxin and cyclosporine. Before using St. John's wort, ask your health care provider if it is safe for you to do so.
Warnings
If you are taking St. John's wort for major depression, do not take it with other prescription antidepressants. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, combining the two may cause a serious and dangerous condition called serotonin syndrome. People with bipolar disorder and women who are nursing, pregnant or plan to become pregnant should not use this herb. If you are having surgery while taking this supplement, it should be stopped at least five days before surgery and your doctors and surgeons should be notified that you have been taking the herb.
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