St. John's wort is sometimes used as an alternative medicine. It is best known as an herbal remedy for depression, but it may also help with menopause symptoms, chronic tension headaches, sleep disorders and wound healing. However, St. John's wort can interact with many medicines and is not safe for everyone, so check with your doctor before taking this herb.
St. John's Wort and Blood Pressure
Although some people are concerned about the effect of St. John's wort on blood pressure, St. John's wort does not effect your blood pressure or blood pressure variability, according to a study published in November 2004 in "Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics." However, this does not necessarily mean that it is safe for people with high blood pressure to use St. John's wort.
Medication Interactions
St. John's wort interacts with a wide variety of medications, including reserpine and some of the calcium channel blockers used to treat high blood pressure. Other medications of concern include birth control medication, medication for depression, digoxin, allergy medications, HIV medications, sedatives, warfarin, statins, antifungal medication, migraine medication, theophylline, drugs that suppress the immune system and the cough medicine dextromethorphan.
Safety
If you are trying to conceive a child, avoid taking St. John's wort since it may lower fertility. Pregnant women should also avoid this herbal medicine as it may be linked to an increased risk in birth defects. Nursing women and people with severe depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer's disease or schizophrenia should not take St. John's wort, nor should people who are going to have surgery.
Considerations
Side effects from St. John's wort include fatigue, dry mouth, dizziness, confusion, allergic reactions, restlessness, upset stomach and an increased sensitivity to sunlight. St. John's wort is not significantly better tolerated or effective than prescription antidepressants, according to MedlinePlus. Many people, including those on blood pressure medications, should not take this herbal medicine due to medication interactions and the risk of side effects.
References
- MedlinePlus: St. John's Wort
- Health Services at Columbia University; St. John's Wort; March 2005
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Possible Interactions with: St. John's Wort
- "Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics"; Influence of St. John's Wort on Catecholamine Turnover and Cardiovascular Turnover in Humans; C. Schroeder, et al.; November 2004
