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"St. John's Wort - An Effective Treatment For Mild Depression!"
It is a short plant with yellow flowers and is considered to be a healing herb by some, a annoying weed by others. It is a perennial plant, native to Europe and now grows wild in numerous meadows across North America. The plant is named after John the Baptist and is normally harvested on St. John's Day, the 25th day of June. It is commonly used as a treatment for depression, but it has also been suggested to treat the symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Premenstrual Syndrome. The principal ingredients in this herb are hyperforin and hypericin. These chemicals curb production of monoamine oxidase, a chemical that is associated with depression. In addition, it has other plant components called Flavanoids that add to its antidepressant qualities. Clinical Trials Concerning its effectiveness as a depression treatment, 13 studies have recently been published indicating St. John's Wort is as effective in treating depression as the prescription medications Prozac, Elavil, Zoloft, and Tofranil. In another randomized, double-blind study, 240 individuals were given either 250 milligrams of Hypericum twice daily, or 20 milligrams of the prescription medicine Prozac twice daily. After six weeks, significant improvement was seen in both groups. Additionally, SJW was found to be much safer than the prescription medication with less side effects. 72 percent of those in the Prozac group reported side effects compared to 28 percent of those in the SJW group. Hypericin increases theta brain waves. Theta brain waves come about during sleep, in periods of deep meditation, and periods of intense creative activity. In a reassessment of 37 clinical trials involving 4,925 individuals, Hypericum was found to be as effective in treating mild to moderate depression as the prescription medications. It was also over found to have fewer side effects than the prescription medicines. Moreover, in another study, 135 individuals were given either 900 milligrams of St. John's Wort each day, or 20 milligrams of the prescription medication Prozac daily or placebo. After 12 weeks, the researchers decided it was as effective as Prozac as a treatment for depression. A Cochrane Systematic Review of 27 studies used specific criteria to appraise the effectiveness of SJW as a treatment for depression. These studies selected individuals with varied diagnoses, they were of short duration, and used low doses of standard medications in comparison trials. At the studies' end, in all but one of these clinical trials, researchers found it was more effective then placebo, and just as effective in treating depression as some older prescription medications. In a European study comparing the effectiveness of SJW against the prescription medicine Prozac, the results were striking. The researchers found that it was just as effective as Prozac as a treatment for depression. Plus, they felt there was no benefit in treating these patients with Prozac instead of SJW. There have been other studies indicating it is not an effective treatment for depression. Also, there have been no published studies indicating it to be a helpful treatment for severe depression. Dosage The recommended dosage of SJW is between 350 to 1,800 milligrams daily. Side Effects and Contraindications Side effects that may occur when taking this remedy may include:
It should not be taken if you are taking any of the following medications:
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