Fight Depression With St. John’s Wort

St. John’s Wort is a flowering plant. Wort is an old English word for an herb or plant. It grows in many parts of the world. Its scientific name is hypericum perforatum. All of the above ground parts of the plant are used which are collected while the plant is flowering.

St john’s wort herb has traditionally been used to treat bruises, burns, and mild depression or anxiety. St. John’s Wort contains many different substances that work together. Its major active compound is hypericin.

Strong scientific evidence supports use of St. John’s wort for treatment of patients with mild to moderate depression and without suicidal ideation. St. John’s wort may increase CNS serotonin and, in very high doses, acts like a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Dose is 300 to 600 mg once per day of a preparation standardized to 0.2 to 0.3% hypericin, to 1 to 4% hyperforin, or to both are usually recommended. St. John’s wort is also said to be useful for treating HIV infection but has proven adverse interactions with protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs).

In a randomized, double-blind placebo controlled study, published in Pharmacopsychiatry a group of 147 people took either a st. john’s wort extract with 5 percent hyperforin, one with 0.5 percent hyperforin or a placebo. At the end of the six-week trial, those taking the highest hyperforin dose showed the most positive results. After eight days, those who took the higher hyperforin showed the greatest changes in delta, theta and alpha-1 brain wave activity. Scientists hypothesize that this is physical evidence that hyperforin is inhibiting the re-uptake of seratonin, noradrenaline and dopamine.

This finding is so significant that Pharmacopsychiatry, a highly regarded German journal of clinical pharmacology and psychiatry, recently devoted an entire supplemental issue to hyperforin. It includes several recent clinical studies that show hyperforin to be the compound responsible for inhibiting neurotransmitter reuptake, rather than the compound hypericin as previously believed.

With every passing day, clinical research is amassing more data demonstrating hyperforin to be the key to St. John’s Wort’s power. “This discovery is extremely exciting for people seeking a dependable route to a positive outlook on life,” said Derrick DeSilva Jr., MD, a practicing internist who teaches at JFK Medical Center in Edison, NJ, and is author of Ask The Doctor: Herbs & Supplements for Better Health.

St. John’s Wort is an excellent natural alternative to prescription drugs with little side effects. Those suffering from depression should also consider essential fatty acids especially; primrose oil and omega-3 fish oil which may also help alleviate their symptoms. Natural high quality standardized st. john’s wort is available at your local or internet nutrition store.

*Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. St. John’s wort, primrose, and omega-3 fish oil are not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease. Always consult with your professional health care provider before changing any medication or adding Vitamins to medications.

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