| Hippocrates is sometimes called the "father of | | | | incredibly well in reducing depression symptoms. |
| medicine" and it is from his name that we get the | | | | 2. It has been used medicinally for centuries for the |
| Hippocratic Oath that all qualified physicians must take | | | | treatment of depression, sleep disorders and nerve |
| before being allowed to practice medicine. So when he | | | | pain. |
| prescribes an herb called St. John's wort for a host of | | | | 3. St. John's Wort is a relatively safe herb. |
| illnesses, including the treatment of depression, we | | | | 4. Even for mild or moderate depression, it's not for |
| should take note. Depression is a debilitating medical | | | | everyone. Always ask your doctor first. |
| condition that must be taken seriously, which is why | | | | 5. We all experience slightly different depression |
| heavy medication is usually preferred over more | | | | symptoms, so we each need a tailor-made treatment. |
| natural methods. Yet when the side-effects of so | | | | 6. Understand fully the potential side-effects and |
| many anti-depressants are so serious, it is important to | | | | herb-drug interactions. |
| look at a more natural treatment of depression | | | | 7. It is thought that St. John's Wort acts as a natural |
| symptoms. | | | | form of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). |
| St. John's wort is used by tens of millions of people | | | | 8. Serotonin level in the body is higher early in the day, |
| worldwide for mild to moderate depression symptoms, | | | | so taking St. John's wort in the evening might be more |
| so the short answer to the question "does this herb | | | | effective. Again, ask your doctor. |
| make a good natural treatment of depression" is: yes. | | | | 9. Anticipate results in four to six weeks. |
| St. John's wort is very effective for the treatment of | | | | 10. Different brands have different preparations of the |
| depression symptoms in a great many number of | | | | herb and so may produce different results. Whichever |
| cases. Doctors in the U.S. are increasingly familiar with | | | | preparation best deals with your depression symptoms |
| the detailed uses and risks of St. John's Wort as a | | | | is the one that's right for you. |
| treatment of depression. | | | | The most common side-effects are increased |
| In Germany, where it is not sold over the counter, | | | | sensitivity to sunlight for the skin and eyes, dizziness, |
| doctors write millions of prescriptions annually for St. | | | | digestive symptoms, dry mouth, allergic rash, and |
| John's wort as a treatment of depression, without any | | | | fatigue. There are a number of notable herb-drug and |
| reported cases of serious side effects. In Britain, over | | | | herb-food interactions: |
| 2 million people use St. John's wort for treatment of | | | | - You shouldn't take St. John's Wort at the same time |
| depression symptoms. Figures are not known for how | | | | as taking an SSRI treatment of depression (such as |
| many people use it in the U.S. as an anti-depression | | | | Prozac) or certain drugs used for migraine. |
| herb, but Americans are increasingly familiar with its | | | | - If you want to wean yourself off your prescription |
| use. Treatment of depression using St. John's wort | | | | treatment of depression, talk to your doctor first to |
| does not require a prescription in the U.S. What is | | | | develop a plan. |
| necessary is the knowledge of the best way to use it | | | | - You shouldn't take it at the same time as certain |
| - and how not to use it - since St. John's wort is a | | | | anti-coagulants, oral contraceptives, some anti-seizure |
| powerful herb. | | | | medication, a number of heart medications, some |
| 10 things to know about the use of St. John's Wort for | | | | anti-HIV drugs and a few other medications. |
| treatment of depression | | | | - You shouldn't take St. John's wort while pregnant or |
| 1. It isn't a cure for everyone, but for some, it works | | | | breastfeeding. |