St. John’s wort for depression: natural prozac?
St. John’s wort (SJW) is a perennial herb native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. It has been introduced and naturalised in parts of Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas, and is found growing wild in neglected fields, dry pastures, rangelands, and along country roads.
St. John’s wort is widely known as a herbal treatment for depression. Â The active ingredient, hypericum, is thought to act through a similar mechanism to SSRI anti-depressants like prozac, and also has anti-inflammatory properties.
Curiously, the hypericum seemed more effective in the German studies that were reviewed.
Although SJW is available on prescription is many European countries, it is not supported by NHS clinical guidelines (see excellent info on SJW from Mind), nor officially sanctioned in the US. Â This is apparently because of interactions with other drugs – see side effects below.
Serotonin is a brain chemical targeted by antidepressants. Combining St. Johnâ€™s wort and certain antidepressants can lead to a potentially life-threatening increase in serotonin levelsâ€”a condition called serotonin syndrome. Symptoms range from tremor and diarrhoea to very dangerous confusion, muscle stiffness, drop in body temperature, and even death.
Psychosis is a rare but possible side effect of taking St. Johnâ€™s wort, particularly in people who have or are at risk for mental health disorders, including bipolar disorder.
Warfarin and similar medications used to thin the blood.
Other side effects of St. Johnâ€™s wort are usually minor and uncommon and may include upset stomach and sensitivity to sunlight. Also, St. Johnâ€™s wort is a stimulant and may worsen feelings of anxiety in some people.
St. John’s wort can be taken as an infusion in tea, or in tablet form (for the extract). According to Mind, the suggested dosage is 200mg to 1000mg of 0.3 per cent standardised hypericum extract per day, which is usually taken in two or three doses.
St. John’s Wort CapsulesÂ from Holland and Barrett contain 142mg per capsule, recommendedÂ to be taken as one capsule three times a day. (I have no affiliation to H&B; it’s just my nearest SJW supplier).
I have decided to give St. John’s wort a go – will record my findings, as ever, on the Depression Lab experiments page.
Brilliant digest. Interesting re not being NICE approved(?) but still effective via Cochrane.
Look forward to hearing results, though obviously will be hard to really demonstrate whether any benefits (or side effects) may be down to actual or placebo effect.
Thanks James. You are right of course about possible placebo effect but I make no claims to be doing a proper study!
Fascinating Read, never knew that a plant had the potential to increase serotonin levels! it’s funny how nature has it’s own ways of dealing with our mental problems, who would have guessed. Looking forward to reading what you have to say about it soon!
I hope it helps you!
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