Saints herb for depression

St John's wort - klammath weed 

This information explains what St John's wort is employed for, how it works, possible side effects and interactions with other medicines. 

1/ what's St John's wort?

St John's wort may be a herbal remedy that has been used for many years to treat psychological state problems. Today it's mainly used as an over-the-counter remedy to treat mild and moderate depression, and sometimes seasonal major affective disorder (SAD), mild anxiety and sleep problems. 

The botanical name for St John's wort is klammath weed , and it's sometimes marketed and sold as 'Hypericum'. It contains many active substances, including hypericin and hyperforin, which are thought to affect mood. 

2/ How does St John's wort work?

It is thought that St John's wort works during a similar thanks to standard antidepressant medication. Research suggests that it increases the activity of brain chemicals like serotonin and noradrenaline that are thought to play a crucial part in regulating our mood. 

3/ Can St John's wort help me?

If you experience depression or low mood, you'll plan to try St John's wort as a herbal alternative to antidepressants. While you'll buy St John's wort from a pharmacy without a prescription, it's best to hunt advice from your GP within the first instance. If you've got any worries about your psychological state and are unsure about treatment options, it's always useful to speak this through together with your doctor before you create a choice . 

"When I could not take SSRI's thanks to side-effects, i attempted St John's wort as an alternate . it's definitely helped with my depression and my mood has lifted quite lot." 

Research suggests that, in some cases, St John's wort could be even as effective as some antidepressant drugs to treat mild or moderate depression. it's going to also cause fewer or less intense side effects than commonly prescribed antidepressants. However, for severe depression there's little evidence to point out that it could help. Experiences vary from person to person and more research must be done. 

If you're brooding about taking St John's wort to treat other psychological state problems, like anxiety or seasonal major affective disorder , it's worth noting that there's little or no existing evidence on how effective it are often . 

"I found that St John's wort lifted my mood so I wasn't awakening at five every morning, life seemed more bearable, I saw colour." 

4/ Speak to your doctor first about taking St John's wort if you: 

• are pregnant or are nursing – there's limited information on its safety 

• have a diagnosis of manic depression – like all antidepressants, it's been known to cause hypomania in some people, or rapid switching from a coffee to a high mood 

• are under 18 – there's limited information on its safety 

• are currently taking prescribed medication, contraceptive medication (such because the pill) or common over the counter medications. See our page on interactions with medication for more information.

5/ Is St John's wort a licensed medication?

Most St John's wort products are licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare Products regulatory authority (MHRA). This organisation is liable for licensing herbal medicines within the UK under the normal Herbal Medicines Registration (THR) scheme. 

Under this scheme, registration is predicated on the long-standing use of a plant as a standard herbal medicine, instead of being supported clinical trials. 

Licensed St John's wort products should be marked with the registration mark shown here

This indicates that the herbal medicine is safe to a suitable standard, provided it's used consistent with the instructions on the packaging. the merchandise should even have a license number , starting with the letters 'THR'.

The way herbal medicines are regulated is different to the way pharmaceutical medicines are regulated. Herbal medicines could also be unlicensed, and should instead be registered under the THR scheme, which ensures specific standards of safety and quality for the treatment of minor health conditions.

St John's wort - klammath weed 

This information explains what St John's wort is employed for, how it works, possible side effects and interactions with other medicines. 

View this information as a PDF (new window) 

Toggle navigationSt John's wort 

Is St John's wort a licensed medication?

Most St John's wort products are licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare Products regulatory authority (MHRA). This organisation is liable for licensing herbal medicines within the UK under the normal Herbal Medicines Registration (THR) scheme. 

Under this scheme, registration is predicated on the long-standing use of a plant as a standard herbal medicine, instead of being supported clinical trials. 

Licensed St John's wort products should be marked with the registration mark shown here.

This indicates that the herbal medicine is safe to a suitable standard, provided it's used consistent with the instructions on the packaging. the merchandise should even have a license number , starting with the letters 'THR'. 

The way herbal medicines are regulated is different to the way pharmaceutical medicines are regulated. Herbal medicines could also be unlicensed, and should instead be registered under the THR scheme, which ensures specific standards of safety and quality for the treatment of minor health conditions. 

6/ am i able to get St John's wort on prescription?

St John's wort is out there on prescription in many European countries. However, the utilization of St John's wort isn't currently recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) so doctors in England and Wales don't normally write prescriptions for it. 

This is due to uncertainty about appropriate doses, variations in preparations and therefore the potentially dangerous interactions that it's with other commonly used medications. For more information, see our pages on dosage and interactions with medication. 

Although doctors are advised to not prescribe St John's wort, you'll pip out over the counter. it's readily available in pharmacies and in many food shops. 

7/ What dosage should I take? 

St John's wort is sold during a sort of different forms. The dosages available vary counting on the shape and brand that you simply buy. 

It is most ordinarily sold as tablets and capsules. you'll also catch on as a tea, or as a liquid called a 'tincture', which you'll take as drops in water. 

"My mum wont to send the [St John's wort] teabags as a part of a care package. They didn't stop me seeking help once I returned and that i do not know if they helped but I felt like i used to be trying something." 

All medicines carry levels of risk in several circumstances, and may affect people in several ways. there's no standard recommended dosage of St John's wort within the UK and it isn't currently clear what dosage works best. 

It's easiest to stay track of what dose you are taking if you're taking St John's wort in tablet or capsule form and if you stick with one particular brand. remember that if you purchase a special type or brand, the dosage could also be different or cause different side effects. 

"I need to admit my experience of St John's wort has been a touch negative. As it is a herbal medicine, you're never too sure if you are taking the proper dose." 

If you're considering taking St John's wort, you'll find it helpful to speak to your doctor or a pharmacist first to debate what dosage would be best for you and make sure taking St John's wort won't interact dangerously with the other medications you're taking 

View this information as a PDF (new window) 

Toggle navigationSt John's wort 

What dosage should I take?

St John's wort is sold during a sort of different forms. The dosages available vary counting on the shape and brand that you simply buy. 

It is most ordinarily sold as tablets and capsules. you'll also catch on as a tea, or as a liquid called a 'tincture', which you'll take as drops in water. 

"My mum wont to send the [St John's wort] teabags as a part of a care package. They didn't stop me seeking help once I returned and that i do not know if they helped but I felt like i used to be trying something." 

All medicines carry levels of risk in several circumstances, and may affect people in several ways. there's no standard recommended dosage of St John's wort within the UK and it isn't currently clear what dosage works best. 

It's easiest to stay track of what dose you are taking if you're taking St John's wort in tablet or capsule form and if you stick with one particular brand. remember that if you purchase a special type or brand, the dosage could also be different or cause different side effects. 

"I need to admit my experience of St John's wort has been a touch negative. As it is a herbal medicine, you're never too sure if you are taking the proper dose." 

If you're considering taking St John's wort, you'll find it helpful to speak to your doctor or a pharmacist first to debate what dosage would be best for you and make sure taking St John's wort won't interact dangerously with the other medications you're taking. 

Before deciding what dose to require , read the packaging carefully and consider: 

how strong the merchandise is – the packaging should offer you a sign of this by describing the quantity of hypericin or hypericum extract within the ingredients list or nutritional information section

how many times you ought to take the merchandise every day – directions should tend on the packaging. Tablets and capsules typically range from 1-3 times each day , counting on their strength.

On the packaging of some products it'd ask the quantity of St John's wort as 'aerial parts'. This just means the parts of the plant that grow above the bottom . 

"It's an honest stop-gap solution to form you are feeling that you simply do something to require control of depression however I've found the play effects of missing a dose to be worse than that of SSRIs."