St. John's Wort is a plant that has been used for a very long time to treat mental disorders and nerve pain. The plant is native to Europe, West Asia and North Africa. In previous years, herbalists used St. John's Wort as a sedative, a treatment for malaria and a balm to put on wounds and cuts. The main use of the plant today is as a treatment option for depression, anxiety or sleep disorders. In Germany, St. John's wort is the most commonly prescribed antidepressant. Due to the large amount of scientific research on St. John's wort, it is probably one of the most commonly purchased herbal products in the United States.
What to Look for
St. John's wort can be purchased in various forms, such as capsules, tablets, tinctures, teas and oil-based skin lotions. You can also buy chopped or powdered forms of the herb. Look for St. John's wort products to be standardized to contain 0.3% hypericin, which is one of the main ingredients of the plant.
Findings suggest that 900 mg of St. John's wort (450 mg two times daily or 300 mg three times daily) is needed to reduce symptoms of depression. St. John's wort represents an effective therapy for the treatment of mild to moderate forms of depression. Standardized formulations are available for $10 to $25 for a one-month supply.
One scientific study on the effects of the product in a pediatric population found that St. John's wort can treat mild to moderate symptoms of depression in children, both safely and efficiently. Dosage should be decided by a qualified practitioner.
In adults, doses can be taken in the following forms:
1. Oil or cream: To treat inflammation, an oil-based preparation of St. John's wort can be applied topically.
2. Liquid extract (1:1): 40 to 60 drops, 2 times per day.
3. Dry herb (in capsules or tablets): The usual dose for mild depression and mood disorders is 300 to 500 mg (standardized to 0.3 percent hypericin extract), 3 times per day, with meals.
4. Tea: Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 to 2 tsps. of dried St. John's wort and steep for 10 minutes. Drink up to 2 cups per day for 4 to 6 weeks.
Common Pitfalls
A drawback with St. John's wort is that it may cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Other side effects may include anxiety, dry mouth, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue, headache or sexual dysfunction.
Research has shown that St. John's wort interacts with some drugs because it affects the way your body breaks down many drugs. It may speed up or slow a drug's breakdown.
You should be careful with combining St. John's wort with certain antidepressants, as it may increase side effects such as nausea, anxiety, headache and confusion.
It should be noted that St. John's wort is not a proven therapy for depression.
It is important to inform your health care providers about any herb or dietary supplement that you are taking.
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