Do you sometimes feel sad, anxious, or lonely for no reason? Or do you just feel like you're bored with life? We often look for natural, herbal solutions to these situations. At times like these, you may have heard of the herb "St. John's Wort." It's very popular for treating mental conditions like depression. But, how good is it? Is it safe? Today, we'll talk about it.
What is St. John's Wort?
Simply put, it is a plant with yellow flowers. This plant has been used in European countries for hundreds of years as a treatment for various diseases. However, today it is most famous around the world as an herbal supplement used for depression. It is usually taken in the form of capsules, tablets, or liquid extracts.
Why do people use this? Does it really work?
This is the most important question.
Main use - Depression:
Some research has found that St. John's Wort may be helpful for mild to moderate depression. Some studies have shown that this herb may be as effective as some antidepressants prescribed by doctors.
But here's the problem. Two recent major studies have found that St. John's Wort is not effective for mild to moderate depression. That is, it is the same whether you take a placebo or St. John's Wort. So the scientific evidence is mixed. It may have some effect on mild depression. But based on the current information, it is by no means a definitive cure for depression.
Other uses:
In addition to depression, this herb has been researched for several other mental conditions.
- Anxiety disorders
- Unwanted thoughts and actions (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - OCD)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Insomnia
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Menopausal symptoms
- Eczema
However, there is still no clear evidence that St. John's Wort has any proven benefit for any of these conditions.
The scariest part: What are the risks of using this?
This is where you need to be very careful. Just because something is called "herbal" doesn't mean it's 100% safe. There are some serious risks you should be aware of when using St. John's Wort.
Side Effects
Even when taken at the recommended dosage, side effects can sometimes occur. Although they are generally uncommon, the following may occur.
| Side effect | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Anxiety | Feeling a strange fear and uneasiness in the mind. |
| Dry mouth | Feeling like saliva is stuck in the mouth. |
| Sensitivity to sunlight | Even after being in the sun for a short time, the skin quickly turns red and burns. |
| Dizziness | Dizziness |
| Stomach upset | Things like stomach aches and nausea. |
| Headache | Headache |
| Sexual problems | Things like decreased sexual desire. |
| Fatigue | Excessive body fatigue. |
Special risks and warnings
Depression is a serious, life-threatening condition. Never attempt to treat it yourself without medical advice.
Because there is still insufficient evidence about the safety of this herb, the use of St. John's Wort is not recommended for children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers .
Dangerous problems with other drugs (Drug Interactions)
This is the most dangerous and serious risk with St. John's Wort. Some of the chemicals in this herb can completely change the way other medications you are taking work. This means that some medications may not work as well, and some medications may become too strong and toxic to the body.
Imagine, you are taking medication for a heart condition, or for family planning. If you start using St. John's Wort without telling your doctor, how big of a problem could it be if that essential medicine stops working?
| Medications that should not be used with St. John's Wort | |
|---|---|
| Drug type | Potentially dangerous problem |
| Antidepressants | When both are taken together, serotonin levels in the brain can rise dangerously, leading to a condition called "Serotonin Syndrome," which can be life-threatening. |
| Birth control pills | It can reduce the effectiveness of the pill and lead to an unintended pregnancy. |
| Blood thinners (e.g. Warfarin) | These medications reduce the effectiveness and increase the risk of blood clots. |
| Medications for HIV | HIV medications become less effective and the disease becomes uncontrollable. |
| Cancer drugs | Impedes the success of cancer treatments. |
| Cyclosporine | After an organ transplant, the body loses the effectiveness of this drug, which is given to prevent rejection of the organ. |
| Digoxin | Reduces the effectiveness of this medication used for some heart diseases. |
This list is just a few examples. There are many other medications that can cause problems. Therefore, if you are taking any other medications, you should definitely talk to your doctor before starting an herbal supplement like this.
Take-Home Message
- St. John's Wort is an herbal supplement, not something that can be obtained naturally from food.
- Scientific evidence on its benefits for depression is conflicting. Its benefits for other conditions have not been proven.
- Depression is a serious condition. Never self-medicate or use herbal remedies without consulting a doctor.
- This herb can interact dangerously with many medications you may be taking, including birth control pills, blood thinners, and heart medications.
- If you are considering using St. John's Wort or any other herbal supplement, talk to your doctor first and get his approval. It is very important for your safety.
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