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While reading about herbal remedies, one thing that caught my attention in several articles was references to the benefits of St. John’s Wort for depression.
I wanted to see if these claims were based on scientific evidence and look through research studies. What I found was very interesting.
Extensive studies have been conducted to explore the benefits of St. John’s wort for depression. The studies also focused on the herb’s interactions with prescription medications.
All studies point to a few very interesting facts:
1. St. John’s wort may be effective for treating mild depression but may not be effective for treating moderately severe major depression.
2. The herb can interact dangerously with some prescription medicines.
Read the detailed reports
Mechanism of action of St John’s wort in depression: what is known?
Clinical use of Hypericum perforatum (St John’s wort) in depression: A meta-analysis
What is St. John’s Wort?
St. John’s Wort, also known as Hypericum perforatum, is an herb that grows mainly in Europe, Asia, and North America.
It has a long history of use in traditional medicine and has been used for centuries in various cultures to treat a wide range of health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders.
St. John’s Wort contains several bioactive compounds, including hyperforin, hypericin, bioflavones, xanthones, and others. These compounds contribute to the herb’s medicinal properties.
To know more read this interesting research study on the mechanism of action of St John’s wort in depression
Hyperforin is what gives the herb its antidepressant effects.
Hypericin has antiviral and antibacterial properties, while flavonoids have antioxidant properties.
It is believed that St. John’s Wort works by increasing the levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the brain, which are neurotransmitters that regulate mood.
Fun Fact: The herb earned its rather unusual name from the practice of harvesting the herb on St. John’s Day or June 24th. A sprig of this herb once was hung above the doors of homes on this day to ward off evil.
The plant is known by several different names including Kamath weed, goat week, Chase-devil, and Tipton’s weed. Its scientific name is Hypericum perforatum.
Benefits of St. John’s Wort – What the research shows
I did a deep dive into several research studies exploring the benefits of St. John’s wort for depression.
I’ve summarized three of the most extensive of these studies. The links to the original studies are included if you’d like to know more.
1. This study looked at using St John’s wort for major depression.
The main objective of the study was to compare the herbal extract with standard antidepressants or placebo.
The 29 randomized and double-blind trials studied a total of 5489 patients with major depression.
Here’s what the study concluded:
– St John’s wort extracts were found to be as effective as standard antidepressants and had fewer side effects.
– The extracts worked better than a placebo in patients with major depression
2. This meta-analysis reviewed 27 different clinical trials with 3808 subjects comparing the effectiveness of St John’s worth and SSRI for depression.
The review concluded for patients with mild-to-moderate depression, St John’s wort has comparable efficacy and safety when compared to SSRIs.
However, it is unclear whether the herb would beneficial for patients with severe symptoms. Also, evidence on the long-term efficacy and safety of the herb is limited as most studies were done over a 4 to 12-week period.
3. This is another study that sums up what we’ve learned about St. John’s wort after conducting several clinical trials using different parameters
These are some of the conclusions it highlighted:
– St. John’s wort appears to be more effective than a placebo and as effective as standard antidepressant medications for mild and moderate depression.
– It’s still to be studied and is uncertain as of now whether this is true for severe depression and for time periods longer than 12 weeks.
– St. John’s wort shows promise for menopausal symptoms, somatic symptom disorder, and wound healing but the current evidence is not enough to know for certain. More studies are being done to explore the benefits of St. John’s wort for these conditions.
– There’s inconclusive proof that the herb is helpful for conditions such as IBS, social anxiety disorder, seasonal affective disorder, improving memory, ADHD, or HIV infection.
If you read claims about these benefits, it helps to read the research papers which publish valid findings based on multiple clinical trials.
St. John’s Wort for sleep disorders
St. John’s Wort has been shown to be effective in treating sleep disorders, including insomnia.
In a study of 24 people with insomnia, it was found that St. John’s Wort was effective in improving sleep quality and reducing the time it took to fall asleep.
It’s thought that St. John’s Wort works by increasing the levels of melatonin, which is a hormone that regulates sleep. However, studies are still ongoing to research the long-term efficacy and side effects.
Top 21 Natural Sleep Remedies for Insomnia
St. John’s Wort for menopause symptoms
This study on the efficacy of the herb for menopausal symptoms of psychological origin found that St. John’s Wort preparations can be used successfully to relieve the psychological and vegetative symptoms of menopause.
St. John’s Wort has been used to treat menopause symptoms, including hot flashes and mood swings.
In a study of 111 women, it was found that St. John’s Wort was effective in reducing the frequency and severity of hot flashes.
It is believed that St. John’s Wort works by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, which is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood.
Interactions with medications
St. John’s Wort can interact with several medications, including antidepressants, birth control pills, and blood thinners. St. John’s Wort can reduce the effectiveness of these medications or increase their side effects. It is important to talk to your doctor before taking St. John’s Wort if you are taking any medications.
Potential side effects and precautions
While St. John’s Wort is generally safe, it can cause side effects in some people. The most common side effects of St. John’s Wort include dry mouth, dizziness, and gastrointestinal problems.
St. John’s Wort can also interact with certain medications, including antidepressants, birth control pills, and blood thinners.
If you plan on taking this herb for depression, insomnia or to ease menopause symptoms and if you’re already taking some other medication, it is very important that you talk to your doctor first.
How much St John’s wort should I take?
St. John’s Wort can be taken in several forms, including capsules, tablets, liquid extracts, and tea.
The recommended dosage of St. John’s Wort varies depending on the form of the supplement. It is important to follow the dosage instructions on the label of the supplement you are taking.
According to WebMD, the common dose used in studies has been 300 milligrams, three times a day as a standardized extract. Preparations in the U.S. have varied amounts in them. So be careful to note how much you’re getting.
Two important precautions:
1. Always buy supplements from a reputable source to ensure that what you’re using is of the highest quality
2. Do not take this supplement without first consulting your doctor
Starwest Botanicals offers high-quality St. Johns Wort Herb Capsules made with organic herbs.
How to take St. John’s Wort safely
St. John’s Wort is generally safe when taken as directed. However, it is important to talk to your doctor before taking St. John’s Wort if you are taking any medications.
St. John’s Wort can interact with certain medications, including antidepressants, birth control pills, and blood thinners. It is also important to buy supplements from a reputable source to ensure that they are of high quality.
Is St. John’s Wort Right for You?
If you are looking for a natural way to improve your mental health, sleep quality, or menopause symptoms, St. John’s Wort may be worth considering. As the most extensively studied herbal supplement, it’s fair to say that St John’s Wort stands up to scrutiny, particularly the claims that it can alleviate symptoms of depression.
However, depression is not a condition to be taken lightly. I know from first-hand experience that it can take years of counseling and medication to get the symptoms under control. Some people need a lifetime of counseling and medication.
You must consult your doctor before stopping prescription medications or taking St John’s Wort in conjunction with them.
The herb can interact with certain medications, including antidepressants, birth control pills, and blood thinners. It is also important to buy supplements from a reputable source to ensure that they are of high quality.
Related Reads:
Because stress, sleeplessness, and anxiety are so prevalent, I’ve written several articles on using natural remedies and aromatherapy to reduce the symptoms.
Relieve Stress Naturally With Aromatherapy
Best Essential Oils For Anxiety
Healing Benefits Of Spending Time In Nature
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to serve as medical advice. Please consult your physician before using any herbs or essential oils for medical purposes. See Full Disclaimer here.
