St.
John's wort has a long history of folk use for treating depression and modern
science has shown it to be accurate.
Clinical studies show that
treatment with just one of the active compounds in this herb, hypericin,
results in significant improvement in anxiety, depression and feelings of
worthlessness.
Some studies show that it's a more powerful
antidepressant than some pharmaceutical drugs such as amitriptyline (Elavil)
and imiprimine (Tofranil), Zoloft®, and Fluoxetine. It also has fewer side
effects.
St. John's Wort has also been shown to improve sleep quality,
often a major problem for people who are depressed. In a German study,
researchers gave St. John's Wort to 105 people with moderate depression.
Compared with a similar group that did not receive the herb, they slept better
and showed less sadness, helplessness, hopelessness, exhaustion and headache.
They also reported no side effects.
In another German study conducted
in 1984, women who were depressed were given a tincture of St. John's Wort.
Their symptoms included anxiety, anorexia, lack of interest in life and
psychomotor problems. All changed for the better. They even had fewer feelings
of being worthless.
Research on St. John's Wort was also conducted in
Russia. The herb was combined with psychotherapy to treat alcoholics suffering
from depression. One of the major advantages of St. John's Wort is that, unlike
many antidepressant drugs, it doesn't impair your attention, concentration or
your reaction time.
Trial studies have also shown that St. John's wort
extract may be more effective than Fluoxetine in Major Depressive Disorder
(MDD).
A person may be diagnosed with MDD if 5 of the following 9
symptoms are present for 2 or more consecutive weeks, for most of each day,
every day:
- depressed mood in
adults or irritable mood in children and adolescents
- significant
reduction in level of interest or pleasure in most or all
activities
- loss or gain of
weight when not dieting; insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep) or
hypersomnia (sleeping more than usual)
- behavior that is
agitated or slowed down
- decreased energy
or fatigue
- thoughts of
worthlessness or extreme guilt
- reduced ability to
think, concentrate or make decisions
- thoughts of death
or suicide.
One of the symptoms
must be either depressed mood or loss of interest.
In a recent study
funded by a grant from Lichtwer Pharma AG, 135 volunteers (57% women, 43% men
with an average age of 37.3 - plus or minus 11 years) with MDD were randomized
to receive 300 mg St John's Wort extract three times daily and one placebo, or
one 20 mg fluoxetine per day and three placebo. Medication and placebo were
administered using a double-dummy technique so that each group received 4
tablets/capsules per day.
This clinical trial adds to the growing body
of evidence that specific St. John's wort extracts are at least as effective,
if not more effective, than conventional antidepressant medication for the
treatment of MDD.
St. John's Wort is used primarily for treatment of
depression. Over 30 clinical trials have studied its safety and efficacy for
clinical depression. Most determined that it is superior to placebo and has a
safety profile superior to pharmaceutical antidepressants.
More about St. John's Wort...
Further,
improving your health nutritionally can result in having fewer feelings of
hopelessness and separation and allow you to gain a greater sense of belonging
and unity. Stress melts away and you'll feel light, clear, easy, and content.
Foods that help depression are brown rice, cucumbers, apples,
cabbage, fresh wheat germ, and apple cider vinegar. Including one in each meal
is adequate. For more information about
nutrition and your mental state, click
here...
Index of Herbs for
Health
Index of
Herbs
