St. John's Wort

St. John's Wort St. John's Wort

(Hypericum perforatum)

Mild to moderate depression, melancholia, and anxiety; antibacterial, anti-inflammatory; topical use for minor wounds, infections, bruises, muscle soreness, and sprains; Antiviral activity in increased dosages.

Depression: Cott, 1998, Hippius, 1998, Volz, 1997, Harrer, 1999 Linde, 1996, Vorbach, 1997

Antibacterial and Topical: Newall, 1996

Antiviral: Miller, 1998

Standardized: 25% standardized extract containing Hypericin 0.9mg
1 capsule with water 2 x daily

Whole Herb: (Herb powder) 325mg
3 capsules with water 3 x daily

Pharmacology:

St. John's Wort activity has been correlated to the hypericin component of the plant and is believed to act through a variety of mechanisms, including inhibition of cortisol secretion, blockade of catabolic hormones (such as IL-6), and increased concentration of central nervous system neurotransmitters such as serotonin. It may amplify the response to serotonin following receptor binding. Antiviral activity may result as hypericin and xanthrones have been claimed to stimulate an increase in T killer cell activity.

Theoretical Cautions and Contraindications:

St. John's wort is contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation. It may alter levels of digoxin. It is not for use in severe depression and should be used with caution in individuals taking other antidepressants. St. John's wort may alter the actions of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, and may elevate hepatic transaminases. May cause photosensitivity. May enhance sedation in individuals on narcotic medications and may cause mild drowsiness. Use with caution while driving or operating heavy machinery. Effects may be additive with other CNS depressants or natural products with sedative properties. St. John's Wort may antagonize the effects of reserpine.

Theoretical Interactions:

CNS depressants, sedatives, antidepressants (including SSRIs and tricyclics-Prozac, Zoloft or Celexa), narcotics, narcotic analgesics, MAO inhibitors, digoxin, oral contraceptives and photosensitizing drugs (piroxicam or tetracycline). Increased risk of sunburn in higher doses. May interfere with iron absorption.

References:

Cott JM and Fugh-Berman A, "Is St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) an Effective Antidepressant?" J Nerv Ment Dis, 1998, 186(8): 500-1.

Harrer G, Schmidt U, Kuhn U, et al, "Comparison of Equivalence Between the St. John's Wort Extract LoHyp-57 and Fluoxetine," Arzneimittelforschung, 1999, 49(4): 289-96.

Hippius H, "St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)-A Herbal Antidepressant," Curr Med Res Opin, 1998, 14(3): 171-84.

Lantz MS, Buchalter E, Giambanco V. St. John's wort and antidepressant drug interactions in the elderly. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 1999; 12:7-10.

Linde K, Ramirez G, Mulrow CD, et al, "St. John's Wort for Depression-An Overview and Meta-analysis of Randomised Clinical Trials," BMJ, 1996, 313(7052): 253-8.

Miller AL, "St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum): Clinical Effects on Depression and Other Conditions," Altern Med Rev, 1998, 3(1): 18-26.

Newell CA, Anderson LA, and Phillipson JD, Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Heath Care Professionals, London, England: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996, 250-2.

Roby CA, Kantor E, Anderson GD, et al. St. John's wort impact on CYP3A4 activity [poster presentation]. Boca Raton (FL): 39th annual meeting of New Clinical Drug Evaluation Unit Program; 1999 June 1-4.

Roby CA, Kantor E, Anderson GD, et al. St. John's wort: Effect on CYP3A4 activity. Clin Pharmacol Ther; 2000; 67:451-457.

Volz HP, "Controlled Clinical Trials of Hypericum Extracts in Depressed Patients-An Overview," Pharmacopsychiatry, 1997, 30(Suppl 2): 72-6.

Vorbach EU, Arnoldt KH, and Hubner WD, "Efficacy and Tolerablitiy of St. John's Wort Extract LI 160 Versus Imipramine in Patients With Severe Depressive Episodes According to ICD-10," Pharmacopsychiatry, 1997, Suppl 2:81-5.

Ernst, E. "Harmless Herbs? A Review of the Recent Literature" American Journal of Medicine, vol. 104, 1998, pp.170-8.

Klepser, T.B. and Klepser, M.E. "Unsafe and Potentially Safe Herbal Therapies." American Journal of Helath-System Pharmacy, vol. 56, 1999, pp.125-38.

Miller, L.G. "Herbal Medicinals: Selected Clinical Considerations Focusing on Known or Potential Drug-Herb Interactions." Archives of Internal Medicine, vol. 158, 1998, pp. 2200-11.

Zink, T. and Chaffin, J. "Healthy 'Health' Products: What Family Physicians Need To Know." American Family Physician, vol 58, 1998, pp. 1133-1140.

Short, R. (ed.), "Clinical Considerations for Specific Herb-Drug Interactions & Potential Adverse Effects of Herbs", Facts and Comparisons The Review of Natural Products, St. Louis (Mo), 1998 Dec; 1-8.

Fetrow, C.W., Avila, J. R., Complementary & Alternative Medicines, Springhouse, PA, 1999.

LaValle, J.B., Krinsky, D.L., Hawkins, E.B, et. al., Natural Therapeutics Pocket Guide, Lexi-Comp, USA, 2000.

Gruenwald, J., Brendler, T., Jaenicke, C., PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2nd Ed., Medical Economics Company, NJ, 2000.

Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, Gruenwald J, Hall T, Riggins CW, Rister RS (eds.) The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Klein S, Rister RS, translators. Austin (TX): American Botanical Council; Boston (MA): Integrative Medicine Communications; 1998.

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Material herein is derived from journals, textbooks, news releases, reference guides, etc. Graham Development, Inc. cannot be held responsible for the validity of the information contained in any reference noted herein or for the misuse of information or any adverse effects by use of any stated materials presented. ©2000 Scientific Herbals-unauthorized reproduction of this document is prohibited.

St. John's Wort Standardized Herbal Supplement 12.99

St. John's Wort Herbal Supplement 375 mg 10.29

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