St Johns Wort and Depression

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 by: Mireille Gautschi

The bright yellow flower of the St Johns Wort (hypericum
perforatum) with it's ray-like petals, represents the power of the sun
that forces away the darkness. This already points to the
anti-depressant effects of the St Johns Wort which are highly
respected, even in conventional medicine.

St. John's Wort, a perennial plant, has been used for
hundreds of years to treat depression, unrest and anxiety disorders as
well as nerve pain. For a long time, doctors and herbalists alike have
known about its use as a sedative, but also as treatment for wounds,
burns, insect bites, stomach ulcers and more. It is still used widely
today and it's effectiveness has been proven to a point where some
insurance companies are now covering the treatment.

It is not a powerful drug -- when used to treat
depression -- in the sense of bringing a quick recovery, but shows
excellent long term results in many patients. The herb assists body and
soul in the healing process and helps to build a solid foundation for a
complete recovery.

St John's Wort was tested in a double-blind study of 105
male and female patients in the 20 to 64 year age group, suffering from
mild to moderate depression. They were divided into two groups and
monitored over a period of four weeks. One group were given 300mg of St
Johns Wort extract three times daily, and the other received a placebo.
All of the patients had psychiatric evaluations before the start of the
study and after four weeks of treatment.

The results revealed that, 67% of the St Johns Wort
group had responded positively to the treatment without any adverse
side effects whereas only 28% of the placebo group showed any signs of
improvement.

St Johns Wort is available as tea (flowers and leaves),
liquid extracts and pills or capsules. It is normally taken thrice
daily and it will take one week or more to notice any improvement in
the condition.

Treatment can be continued for long periods of time as
the herb does not normally produce any side effects. But St Johns Wort
can interact strongly with other medication e.g. cancer and HIV drugs,
contraceptive pills and others. So it is vitally important to consult a
medical specialist first before starting a course of treatment.

One effect of St Johns Wort is, that it makes the skin
more sensitive to light. It is therefore important to keep out of the
sun as much as possible while using the herb.

There is growing evidence to suggest that St. Johns
Wort is a safe and effective, natural remedy for the treatment of mild
to medium depression.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is
presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way
intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a
qualified practitioner. It cannot and should not be used as a basis for
diagnosis or choice of treatment.

About the Author

Mireille Gautschi is a qualified Flower Essence Therapist and Herbalist who has many years experience with the developement of natural herbal remedies.

Her products can be found on the Hillside Herbal Products website http://www.hillsideherbal.com.au that also offers a very informative newsletter.

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