St. Johns Wort for Depression & Insomnia
A Natural Treatment for Anxiety, Postpartum Depression, Mood
Aug 31, 2009
St. John’s Wort, known botanically as hypericum perforatum, is an aromatic perennial plant with golden flowers and leaves dotted with phytochemical-rich oil. The ancient Greeks used this herb for both the body and mind; the healing of wounds and the treatment of melancholy.
How Does St John's Wort Ease Depression and Anxiety?
St. John’s Wort contains a number of medicinal ingredients which have been proven to treat mild to moderate depression, anxiety and insomnia. Studies show that extracts from the plant help elevate levels of neurotransmitters (biochemical messengers) in the brain such as serotonin, which affect mood. This occurs by enhancing natural blockage of the reuptake and breakdown of these neurotransmitters. It also decreases adrenal activity which is increased in depression, anxiety and stress.
For information on depression caused by SAD, see: Seasonal Affective Disorder Linked to Melatonin.
Research confirms that in most individuals this herb is as effective as conventional psychotropic drugs in treating many forms of depression and has far fewer and milder side effects. St. John’s Wort is among the most extensively studied herbal remedies and is fast becoming the most frequently used antidepressant in the world. In Germany where many of these clinical studies have taken place, St. John’s Wort is successfully used to treat depression eight times more often than prescription drugs.
How to Take Medicinal Herbs
Like all medications and supplements, herbal extracts must be taken consistently in the correct dosages to be effective. Clinical research suggests that 900 milligrams of St. John’s Wort taken in a divided dosage two or three times a day is required and it may take up to 4 to 6 weeks for any benefits to be noticed. Additional medical uses for this plant include helping the body fight disease through it’s strong antiviral and antibacterial properties and even treat pain and inflammation. St. John’s Wort oil is also used topically to treat bruises and wounds.
Herbal plants are powerful healing agents. However, even natural remedies can cause serious side effects and unfavorable reactions with other medications and supplements; St. John’s Wort may cause light-sensitivity, dry mouth, stomach irritations, dizziness and tiredness. It may also impact the effectiveness of prescription medications such as certain anticancer or chemotherapy drugs, birth control and cold remedies.
St. John’s Wort should not be taken for a prolonged period of time to treat severe clinical depression such as bipolar disorder. Also called manic depression, bipolar disorder is characterized by disruptive mood swings, from restless irritability and euphoria to low listless periods of depression.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression (PPD) is an illness that includes an array of physical and emotional changes that many mothers experience after having a baby. It can range from the common baby blues to much more pronounced depression. In some cases, St. John’s Wort is affective in treating PPD, however it should not be taken by pregnant or lactating women.
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