The name St. John's Wort is derived from the Old English word for plant, "wort" and because of its tendency to blossom around the Christian feast of St. John. St. John's Wort is a perennial, hardy shrub like plant also known as Hypericum Perforatum that grows up to 3 feet tall.
St. John's Wort has a long history of medicinal usage dating back
to the Romans in Europe and has been used for anxiety,
depression, wounds,
bruises, and ulcers. Native Americans
have used St. John's Wort for treating diarrhea,
snakebite, as well as wounds.
These days, St. John's Wort is gaining ever-increasing popularity
as a treatment for depression in Germany, other parts of
Europe, and even in the United States. In Germany, St. John's Wort is used
as a prescription antidepressant and is covered by the national
health-care system. Although there are other species of Hypericum, the
German counterpart of FDA, Commission E only recognizes
St. John's Wort as its main source.
SIDE EFFECTS
Side effects are rare. However, if it bothers your stomach, take it
with food.
St. John's Wort should not be combined with another antidepressant
drugs, including MAO inhibitors, SSRIs,
and tricyclics, blood thinning drugs,
drugs for lowering cholesterol (statin),
chemotherapy drugs, sulfa drugs, anti-inflammatory
medication, Prilosec, Prevacid as well as protease inhibitors
(for HIV).
St. John's Wort can be habit forming.
Avoid stimulants such as caffeine while using St.
John's Wort.
DOSES
The standard dose of St. John's Wort is 300 mg 3 times a day.
Full effects St. John's Wort takes up to 4 weeks to develop.
St. John's Wort is not recommended for children.
Disclaimer:
The
information provided in this website is not intended to be used for
self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Please consult your licensed health care
provider regarding all medical problems. You should never stop taking a prescription
drug or alter the dosage or dosing schedule without first consulting your
physician or health-care provider.
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