How can St. John's wort relieve depression?

St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is used by millions to ease mild to moderate depression. In Germany, more than 20 million individuals use St. John’s wort.

Recently, German researchers have found that St. John’s wort was as effective as such SSRIs as Prozac (fluoxetine) but without any serious side effects. In one study published in the journal International Clinical Psychopharmacology, volunteers who took either St. John’s wort or the antidepressant fluoxetine were evaluated by psychiatrists for symptoms of depression. After 6 weeks of treatment, researchers concluded that those individuals who took St. John’s wort reported fewer and less serious side effects. For instance, just a few participants in the St. John’s wort group reported mild gastrointestinal complaints. Yet those volunteers who took fluoxetine reported far more serious symptoms, such as dizziness, tiredness, anxiety, and erectile dysfunction. The researchers concluded that St. John’s wort clearly is superior as the medication of choice for mild to moderate depression in both effectiveness and safety, when compared to fluoxetine.

Most mental health experts agree that St. John's Wort (SJW) a treat some cases of mild to moderate depression. A meta-analysis is a statistical way of looking at very large numbers of studies to see what over-all findings are seen. The Cochrane database is one such source that is highly respected. They have done a meta-analysis and it shows that SJW can treat more severe depression if taken in higher doses. Most of the studies are done in Europe where this medication is used more widely. For instance, it is the top selling antidepressant in Germany.

To treat depression successfully the dose required is much higher than is generally used in the USA. The typical therapeutic dose is 1800 mg a day. This must be taken in 3 divided doses, because taken all at once and it can cause stomach upset, nausea and sometimes vomiting. The benefits of SJW are the following: few side effects (may cause stomach upset), inexpensive (about $1.00 a day), and for some people the fact that it is a "natural" product is appealing (although natural does not always mean safe). SJW is very well tolerated and safe if taken by people who are otherwise in good health and are not taking other prescription drugs. Here are the two significant problems with SJW: First, it has a significant impact on liver enzymes and the impact of this is that it can result in serious drug-drug interactions. Anyone considering taking SJW and taking any prescription drug should ALWAYS talk with their pharmacist to see if SJW might interfere with other medications. Secondly, and very importantly, SJW (and this is true for any antidepressant) can cause serious problems if taken by a person who has bipolar disorder (BD). In BD all antidepressants can cause a shift from depression into mania and this can lead to a catastrophe. This is especially important to consider because most people who buy and then use SJW are not being evaluated and followed by a physician or other mental health expert. To be cautious anyone who is suffering with depression and considers taking SJW...please first consult a professional at least for an evaluation.

Over the counter products such as SJW are often downplayed in the USA due to the huge influence of pharmaceutical companies. In other countries such "natural" products have been studied and are widely used to treat depression.

St. John's wort is the most studied herb of all time. Its Latin name Hypericum perforatum means "above a ghost" and the plant was originally gathered as a way to ward off evil spirits. Rigorous studies have shown St. John's wort to be quite useful in treating depression illness. While early researchers thought St. John's wort worked like a weak version of an antidepressant drug, current research suggests that St. John's wort has many effects on both the brain and the body. St. John's wort is known to help digestion, act as an antiviral, has anti-inflammatory properties, and supports thyroid function. It also gently balances the neurotransmitters GABA, norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine.

In our practice, we find depression sufferers who have a long-term chronic type of depression called dysthymia often do the best with this herb. If you can get out of bed and function at a job, but are just generally still low in mood, self-esteem and zest for life, this may be a good herb for you.

You can take St. John's wort in capsule, as a tea, or as a liquid extract, which is a concentrated form of the herb. It is usually dosed in capsule form at 900mg to 1800mg a day in divided doses.

Please note St. John's wort can affect the effectiveness of other medications. Two studies show it can help the drug Plavix work better in people for whom it did not initially work. Other studies show it can lower the effects of birth control pills and immune suppressants. So, if you are taking medications, check with your doctor or pharmacist before using St. John's wort.

St. John's wort (Hypericum) is an herbaceous perennial weed used since the time of ancient Greece for its many medicinal properties. The plant contains several chemical compounds thought to elevate mood. It is believed that the herb achieves its effect by increasing levels of serotonin, an up neurotransmitter, in the brain.

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