St Johns Wart (st Johns Wort) for symtoms (symptoms) of Depression
St. Johns wort is today most widely known as a possible treatment for
depression. In some countries, such as Germany, Hypericum is prescribed
for mild depression far more commonly than conventional antidepressant
medication.
Growing numbers
of studies suggest that this natural supplement helps relieve
depression as effectively as some of the primary prescription
antidepressants, and with fewer and less severe side effects.
It has been prescribed by
doctors in Europe for years, and many people report positive results.
While some people market St Johns Wort as something to be
taken to immediately relieve tension, anxiety and
depression, it often takes three weeks or more to have its full
effect.
An
early meta-study indicated that extracts of hypericum may be more
effective than placebo for the treatment of mild to moderately severe
depressive disorders. (Linde et al., 1996) This study, which covered
the results from 23 smaller, earlier studies, is perhaps the most often
cited by manufacturers and other supporters of St. John's wort.
Recommended
dosage of St John's
Wart
The
dosage of St John's wort preparations vary greatly between
formulations, due to variability in the plant source and preparation
processes. The doses of St. John’s wort extract used in
clinical
trials generally range from 350 to 1800 mg daily (equivalent to 0.4 to
2.7 mg hypericin depending on the preparation). (Linde &
Mulrow,
2003)
The recommended dosage for various forms of St John's wort as
recommended by the British Herbal Medicine Association Scientific
Committee (1983) are as follows:
dried herb: 2-4 g or by infusion three times daily
liquid extract 2-4 mL (1:1 in 25% alcohol) three times daily
tincture 2-4mL (1:10 in 45% alcohol) three times daily
In markets where standardised extracts are not available, the potency
of samples can vary widely. Some brands of over-the-counter St. John's
wort can be much more potent than others. The same can even be true of
two dosage units from different batches of the same brand. Even where
extracts are standardised it is debatable whether using hypericin as
the standard is useful, since hyperforin is believed to be the main
active constituent.
As with other antidepressants, Hypericum should be taken for at least
four weeks before its effectiveness can be properly assessed.
Some
recommend a starting dose of St John's Wort is around
600-900mg daily and increasing to 900-1800mg per day if necessary.
Others recommend less. It is suggested that you research
carefully and start slowly to make sure you are taking the
dosage of
Saint John's Wart that is right for you. Also, speak
with a medical professional who supports natural remedies for
depression.
Saint john's
Wort
Hypericum
perforatum is a yellow-flowering, rhizomatous, perennial herb
indigenous to Europe, which has been introduced to the Americas and
grows wild in many meadows. The common name comes from the fact that it
traditionally flowers by and is harvested on St John's day, 24
June.
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