| A growing number of depression patients are | | | | dealing with mild to moderate depression. In addition this |
| interested in using herbal depression medicine rather | | | | herbal treatment for depression showed a better side |
| than prescription drugs to treat their condition. While | | | | effect profile than conventional anti depressants. |
| herbal treatment for depression is in many cases not | | | | However, other clinical studies on the use of St Johns |
| really proven to be effective the herbal depression | | | | Wort as treatment for moderate to severe depression |
| medicine St Johns Wort is the only one that has been | | | | showed no significant effect of the drug. All in all this |
| shown to have a positive effect on certain types of | | | | indicates that this herbal depression medicine is a |
| depression. So a closer review of this herbal treatment | | | | treatment 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 as | | | | approaches are indicated. As is the case with |
| goats weed, is a perennial herb with small yellow | | | | prescription anti depressants the exact mode of action |
| flowers that originally stems from Europe, but was also | | | | by which St Johns Wort works is unknown. However, |
| introduced to the American continent. The plant derives | | | | it is believed that the herb and in particular its active |
| its name from the old tradition of harvesting its flowers | | | | compounds hyperforin and hypericin and others act as |
| on St. Johns day (June 24th). The herb is toxic to | | | | serotonin re-uptake inhibitors. As is often the case with |
| grazing animals and invasively replaces other plants | | | | herbal extracts the quality of St Johns Wort extracts |
| wherever it grows. Thus, if not actively grown as | | | | can vary significantly depending on where the plant |
| herbal depression medicine, it is often controlled by the | | | | was grown and how the extract was derived at and |
| use of herbicides or by biological means. The use of St | | | | purified. This has of course implications for clinical |
| Johns Wort as medicinal plant is documented since | | | | studies and for the individual patient taking this herbal |
| antiquity, with the first recorded mentioning as herbal | | | | depression medicine. Thus, if a patient is successfully |
| treatment for depression in the 17th century. Today St | | | | using one St Johns Wort-based brand of product he is |
| Johns Wort extracts, mostly in the form of pills and | | | | advised not to switch to other brands. St Johns Wort |
| tablets, and in some instances teas are used as herbal | | | | is 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 German | | | | stomach pain have been reported. This herbal |
| speaking countries there is a long tradition of | | | | depression medicine also interacts with contraceptives |
| prescribing this herbal depression medicine rather than | | | | as well as with some other drugs, usually decreasing |
| prescription drugs for mild cases of depression, while in | | | | the effect of those drugs. |
| the US there is still some scepticism from medical | | | | Concluding 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 repeatedly | | | | for sufferers of mild depression as a great alternative |
| shown that St Johns Wort is as effective as standard | | | | to traditional prescription medicine approaches. |
| prescription medicine and far superior than placebo in | | | | |