St. John’s wort is one herbal remedy that has been (and continues to be) under a lot of scrutiny by modern science. Also known as hypericum and goat weed, use of St. John’s wort for treating mental and mood disorders dates back to ancient Greece.
The plant may get its name from historical and religious figure John the Baptist, because the yellow flowers bloom around the time of the feast of St. John the Baptist in late June. The herb was traditionally used to treat nerve pain and a host of mental disorders. It was also used as a balm for burns, wounds, and even insect bites.
Today, St. John’s wort is still a popular herbal remedy for mild to moderate depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders… though other uses have fallen by the wayside.
Compounds in the flowers (hypericin and hyperforin) may indeed have some effect on mood disorders, but study results are conflicting at best. These compounds may work to keep serotonin — a neurotransmitter that affects mood — circulating in the brain (instead of being reabsorbed). Or they may reduce levels of a protein that affects immune system function.
There have been more than thirty clinical trials studying St. John’s wort as a treatment for depression. The National Institutes of Health in the United States have concluded that the herb may have only minimal benefit for major depression — but may still be useful for people with mild or moderate depression. It may be an effective alternative to standard antidepressants, and may produce fewer side effects in some people.
The National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine continues to study the use of St. John’s wort for treating a variety of mood disorders.
St. John’s wort is available in a variety of forms: capsules, tablets, teas (which often include leaves, stems and bark with the flowers), and liquid extracts. Side effects can include increased sensitivity to sunlight, dizziness, fatigue, headache, gastrointestinal symptoms, and sexual dysfunction.
If you are planning to use St. John’s wort as a supplement, be aware that it may interact with medication you are already taking. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about possible drug interactions with:
- Antidepressants
- Birth control
- HIV medications
- Cancer treatments
- Anticoagulants
- Medications that prevent the body from rejecting transplanted organs