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