| A growing number of depression patients are | | | | In addition this herbal treatment for depression |
| interested in using herbal depression medicine rather | | | | showed a better side effect profile than conventional |
| than prescription drugs to treat their condition. While | | | | anti depressants. However, other clinical studies on |
| herbal treatment for depression is in many cases not | | | | the use of St Johns Wort as treatment for |
| really proven to be effective the herbal depression | | | | moderate to severe depression showed no significant |
| medicine St Johns Wort is the only one that has | | | | effect of the drug. All in all this indicates that this |
| been shown to have a positive effect on certain | | | | herbal depression medicine is a treatment of choice |
| types of depression. So a closer review of this herbal | | | | for minor depression, but not for more severe cases |
| treatment for depression is warranted. | | | | where more traditional approaches are indicated. As is |
| St Johns Wort (Hypericum Perforatum), also known | | | | the case with prescription anti depressants the exact |
| as goats weed, is a perennial herb with small yellow | | | | mode of action by which St Johns Wort works is |
| flowers that originally stems from Europe, but was | | | | unknown. However, it is believed that the herb and in |
| also introduced to the American continent. The plant | | | | particular its active compounds hyperforin and |
| derives its name from the old tradition of harvesting | | | | hypericin and others act as serotonin re-uptake |
| its flowers on St. Johns day (June 24th). The herb is | | | | inhibitors. As is often the case with herbal extracts |
| toxic to grazing animals and invasively replaces other | | | | the quality of St Johns Wort extracts can vary |
| plants wherever it grows. Thus, if not actively grown | | | | significantly depending on where the plant was grown |
| as herbal depression medicine, it is often controlled by | | | | and how the extract was derived at and purified. |
| the use of herbicides or by biological means. The use | | | | This has of course implications for clinical studies and |
| of St Johns Wort as medicinal plant is documented | | | | for the individual patient taking this herbal depression |
| since antiquity, with the first recorded mentioning as | | | | medicine. Thus, if a patient is successfully using one |
| herbal treatment for depression in the 17th century. | | | | St Johns Wort-based brand of product he is advised |
| Today St Johns Wort extracts, mostly in the form | | | | not to switch to other brands. St Johns Wort is |
| of pills and tablets, and in some instances teas are | | | | usually well tolerated, though side effects such as |
| used as herbal depression medicine and as treatment | | | | tiredness, sedation, confusion, photosensitivity and |
| for anxiety. Especially in Europe, and in particular in | | | | stomach pain have been reported. This herbal |
| the German speaking countries there is a long | | | | depression medicine also interacts with |
| tradition of prescribing this herbal depression medicine | | | | contraceptives as well as with some other drugs, |
| rather than prescription drugs for mild cases of | | | | usually decreasing the effect of those drugs. |
| depression, while in the US there is still some | | | | Concluding it can be said that St Johns Wort is herbal |
| scepticism from medical professionals. | | | | depression medicine that is definitely worth |
| A large number of clinical studies have repeatedly | | | | considering for sufferers of mild depression as a |
| shown that St Johns Wort is as effective as | | | | great alternative to traditional prescription medicine |
| standard prescription medicine and far superior than | | | | approaches. |
| placebo in dealing with mild to moderate depression. | | | | |