St. John's Wort:
Common Names--St. John's wort, hypericum, Klamath weed,
goat weed
"Pinch the yellow flowers of this attractive perennial and --
presto, the petals turn red. St John's Wort is a common roadside
weed that is tied by both name and legend to religion and
witchcraft. It was said on the Isle of Wight that if you stepped on
the plant at twilight, you might be carried off on a magic fairy
horse and not return until daylight."
"For centuries this plant was thought to have the power to drive
out devils. With the spread of Christianity, the plant was
associated with St John the Baptist. It was said to bloom first on
his birthday, June 24, and to bleed red oil from its leaf glands on
the day in August that he was beheaded. Moreover, the plant
was believed to be most potent if harvested for medicinal
purposes on St John's Day." Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia
of Herbs
St John's Wort is a highly valued herb that has been used in
healing for more than two thousand years. It contains both
immune enhancing and anti-viral components and is being
studied by AIDS researchers. St John's Wort has significant
concentrations of immune-modulating flavonoids, and also
contains hypericin, a substance that is both antiviral and
antidepressive.
St John's Wort may act as a natural antidepressive, and provides valuable relief to those suffering from anxiety, tension and
stress. While not recommended for severe clinical depression, it may help for occasional "blue moods" that don't require
professional interaction. It is also a common herbal recommendation for menstrual cramps and the symptoms of menopause.
St. John's Wort is not recommended for the treatment of severe or manic depression, and components of St. John's Wort
may raise blood pressure, possibly resulting in a stroke.
Externally, this extraordinarily versatile herb is used in the healing of bruises, minor burns (such as sunburn), psoriasis,
varicose veins and wounds.
St. John's Wort is an attractive, hardy perennial that smells like turpentine or balsam. It has the curious property of appearing
to bleed when crushed. It is considered a noxious, rampant weed in California and the plant itself cannot be cultivated here.
However, despite the fact that it spreads by runners, it is seldom invasive and can be controlled by pulling.
What the Science Says
There is some scientific evidence that St. John's wort is useful for treating mild to moderate depression. However, two large
studies, one sponsored by NCCAM, showed that the herb was no more effective than placebo in treating major depression
of moderate severity.
NCCAM is studying the use of St. John's wort in a wider spectrum of mood disorders, including minor depression.
Side Effects and Cautions
St. John's wort may cause increased sensitivity to sunlight. Other side effects can include anxiety, dry mouth, dizziness,
gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue, headache, or sexual dysfunction.
Research shows that St. John's wort interacts with some drugs. The herb affects the way the body processes or breaks
down many drugs; in some cases, it may speed or slow a drug's breakdown. Drugs that can be affected include:
Indinavir and possibly other drugs used to control HIV infection
Irinotecan and possibly other drugs used to treat cancer
Cyclosporine, which prevents the body from rejecting transplanted organs
Digoxin, which strengthens heart muscle contractions
Warfarin and related anticoagulants
Birth control pills
Antidepressants
When combined with certain antidepressants, St. John's wort may increase side effects such as nausea, anxiety, headache,
and confusion.
St. John's wort is not a proven therapy for depression. If depression is not adequately treated, it can become severe.
Anyone who may have depression should see a health care provider. There are effective proven therapies available.
It is important to inform your health care providers about any herb or dietary supplement you are using, including St. John's
wort. This helps to ensure safe and coordinated care.
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