St. John’s wort is an herb used to treat mild to moderate depression, but is ineffective against severe depression and dysthymia. It can be poisonous to livestock and may have adverse effects on fertility and birth control. It has a lower incidence of side effects than commercial antidepressants.
St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is an herb used to treat mild to moderate depression. It is available in pill form, as an infusion, as a liquid extract, and as a tincture. Its effectiveness is up for debate, but many studies in the United States and Germany have shown it to be effective in treating moderate depression, and it is routinely prohibited for this condition in Germany. However, the herb has been shown to be ineffective against severe depression and dysthymia.
Must is an archaic word meaning “plant,” and St. John’s wort gets its name from its traditional harvest date, St. John’s Day, or June 24. It has small yellow flowers and perforated leaves characterized by small holes. The herb is grown commercially, but it is also a pest in many areas, as it can be poisonous to livestock if eaten in sufficient quantities. When animals eat too much, it can cause effects including restlessness, mania, skin irritation and lesions, depression, miscarriage, and hypersensitivity to water and/or light. It can also drive desirable vegetation out of an ecosystem by outgrowing its niche.
St. John’s wort has a long history as a medicinal plant, although it wasn’t always used for depression. Various species of Hypericum were used medicinally in ancient Greece and in the Americas since before the arrival of Europeans. Native Americans used it topically as an astringent, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory, and internally to induce abortions. Due to this property of St. John’s wort, the herb may have adverse effects on the fertility of the user and may interfere with birth control. The herb also has a variety of uses in homeopathic medicine.
In general, St. John’s wort has a much lower incidence of side effects than commercial antidepressants. Its documented side effects include disorientation, dizziness, fatigue, gastrointestinal distress, sedation, and the aforementioned reproductive side effects. The herb can also cause photosensitivity, or sensitivity to light, in both humans and animals, but this effect is rare.
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