St. John's Wort (Hypericum Perforatum)

St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is one of the oldest known herbal remedies in Europe. It has been used for over 2000 years to treat emotional and nervous complaints. It grows throughout Europe, Western Asia and North Africa. Actually it is a common weed seen by roadsides, on heathland and in woods. The active component of St. John's wort is called hypericine.

Effects

St. John’s wort is mainly used for its mood-lifting qualities, dispelling gloomy thoughts and giving one a more positive outlook. It also purifies the skin and has a positive influence on the stomach. When used regularly the effects are slow to take effect, but durable.

Usage

To make an infusion, pour a cup of boiling water onto 1-2 teaspoons of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day. Do not exceed the recommended dosage.

Warning

St. John’s wort can negatively influence the effect of certain medicines. St. John’s wort enhances the effect of the liver enzyme cytochrome P450. This causes some medicines to be broken down faster, making them less effective.

When combining a medicine with St. John’s wort you are advised to consult your physician or your thrombosis prevention unit for information whether the combination can lead to such an interaction. This is the case not only if you want to start combining St. John’s wort, but also when you want to stop combining St. John’s wort with one of the types of medicine listed below:

It has been observed that St. John’s wort can reduce the effect of the following medicines:

• immune system inhibitors, for instance against transplant rejections and auto-immune diseases: cyclosporine
• anticoagulants of the coumarine type, such as acenocoumarol (Sintrom etc.) and phenprocoumon (Marcumar etc.)
• Anticonvulsants: phenobarbital and phenytoine
• bronchodilators: theophylline
• cardiac glycosides for heart defects and heart rhythm disturbances: digoxin
• HIV-virus inhibitors: indinavir

St. John’s wort can also influence the effect of SSRI-type antidepressants. The combination is discouraged.

An incidental case of break through bleeding has been observed with the simultaneous use of St. John’s wort and certain types of the birth control pill (the combination of ethinyloestradiol and desogestrel, also known as sub-50). When a break through bleeding occurs, it may result in reduced protection against pregnancy.

Reviews

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Aug 19, 2009 El Topo said:
    
“It's interesting that some people are trying to diss traditional healing plants that are a natural and cheap alternative to pharamceutical products....
Hypericum is a very old, well known and proven remedy for mild depressions. It takes some time for the positive effects to build up, usually a week or so.
Try to avoid intense sunlight while using this healing plant.

Medical plants and visionary plants are no fun pills to be used without respect. ALL plants should be taken with care! ALL plants interact with other plants in some way, so learn and heal yourself.”

May 29, 2009 Axel said:
   
“be careful guys, recent studies has shown it to be toxic to the body even in the small doses that r recommended by earlier medical studies

together with commercial anti depressives and anti psycotics unknown and vile changes can occur to parts of the brain n is even feared to induce dementia

[response from Azarius: verifiable facts and reliable references please.]”

Mar 25, 2004 johhny hash said:
     
“ brought new found glorly to my life i felt really euphoric when on full time treatment of this great for depression”