Herbal Depression Medicine: St Johns Wort

A growing number of depression patients aredealing with mild to moderate depression. In addition this
interested in using herbal depression medicine ratherherbal treatment for depression showed a better side
than prescription drugs to treat their condition. Whileeffect profile than conventional anti depressants.
herbal treatment for depression is in many cases notHowever, other clinical studies on the use of St Johns
really proven to be effective the herbal depressionWort as treatment for moderate to severe depression
medicine St Johns Wort is the only one that has beenshowed no significant effect of the drug. All in all this
shown to have a positive effect on certain types ofindicates that this herbal depression medicine is a
depression. So a closer review of this herbal treatmenttreatment of choice for minor depression, but not for
for depression is warranted.more severe cases where more traditional
St Johns Wort (Hypericum Perforatum), also known asapproaches are indicated. As is the case with
goats weed, is a perennial herb with small yellowprescription anti depressants the exact mode of action
flowers that originally stems from Europe, but was alsoby which St Johns Wort works is unknown. However,
introduced to the American continent. The plant derivesit is believed that the herb and in particular its active
its name from the old tradition of harvesting its flowerscompounds hyperforin and hypericin and others act as
on St. Johns day (June 24th). The herb is toxic toserotonin re-uptake inhibitors. As is often the case with
grazing animals and invasively replaces other plantsherbal extracts the quality of St Johns Wort extracts
wherever it grows. Thus, if not actively grown ascan vary significantly depending on where the plant
herbal depression medicine, it is often controlled by thewas grown and how the extract was derived at and
use of herbicides or by biological means. The use of Stpurified. This has of course implications for clinical
Johns Wort as medicinal plant is documented sincestudies and for the individual patient taking this herbal
antiquity, with the first recorded mentioning as herbaldepression medicine. Thus, if a patient is successfully
treatment for depression in the 17th century. Today Stusing one St Johns Wort-based brand of product he is
Johns Wort extracts, mostly in the form of pills andadvised not to switch to other brands. St Johns Wort
tablets, and in some instances teas are used as herbalis usually well tolerated, though side effects such as
depression medicine and as treatment for anxiety.tiredness, sedation, confusion, photosensitivity and
Especially in Europe, and in particular in the Germanstomach pain have been reported. This herbal
speaking countries there is a long tradition ofdepression medicine also interacts with contraceptives
prescribing this herbal depression medicine rather thanas well as with some other drugs, usually decreasing
prescription drugs for mild cases of depression, while inthe effect of those drugs.
the US there is still some scepticism from medicalConcluding it can be said that St Johns Wort is herbal
professionals.depression medicine that is definitely worth considering
A large number of clinical studies have repeatedlyfor sufferers of mild depression as a great alternative
shown that St Johns Wort is as effective as standardto traditional prescription medicine approaches.
prescription medicine and far superior than placebo in