St Johns Wort (latin name Hypericum perforatum) has been used as a medicinal herb for hundreds of years for a number of conditions. It is a shrub native to Europe and yellow leaves from late spring to early autumn.
St Johns Wort is most well known for its use in treating mild depression as it is believed that the effective compounds help lift our mood as they prevent the reuptake of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine.
With increased levels of serotonin we feel happier. It has also used for a number of different treatments such as bruises, rheumatic pain and as an anti-inflammatory. It is also used as a relaxant helping combat panic attacks, tension, insomnia / sleep disorders and anxiety. In women, St Johns Wort has been used for helping treat premenstrual tension / stress.
The lack of mental side effects compared to some other prescribed anti-depressants is what makes St Johns Wort so popular with many people who take it.
When you start taking St Johns Wort the effects may take anything upto 2 weeks or longer before you feel any benefits as it takes time for the levels to build up in your blood. You should give it at least 4 weeks to see whether you are benefiting from using St Johns Wort.
St Johns Wort is known to have an influence on many other prescription drugs so before you starting to take St Johns Wort you should consult your doctor or health professional, especially if you are currently on prescription anti-depressants or if you are thinking about treating the depression with St Johns Wort rather than your current anti-depressant.
Do not stop taking your prescribed anti-depressants before consulting your doctor. Taking St Johns Wort can also change the effectiveness of the female contraceptive pill.
Clinical trials confirm its benefits for treating mild depression and show that it may also be helpful for anxiety, sleep problems and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Do not use it if you are taking medication (including the contraceptive pill) without seeking professional advice. May thin the blood. The Medicines Control Agency suggests it should not be used with drugs such as Warfarin, anticonvulsants and certain antidepressants. Increases the skin's sensitivity to sun.
