Depression Information

St Johns Wort and Depression


The bright yellow flower of the St Johns Wort (hypericum perforatum) with it's ray-like petals, represents the power of the sun that forces away the darkness. This already points to the anti-depressant effects of the St Johns Wort which are highly respected, even in conventional medicine.

St. John's Wort, a perennial plant, has been used for hundreds of years to treat depression, unrest and anxiety disorders as well as nerve pain. For a long time, doctors and herbalists alike have known about its use as a sedative, but also as treatment for wounds, burns, insect bites, stomach ulcers and more. It is still used widely today and it's effectiveness has been proven to a point where some insurance companies are now covering the treatment.

It is not a powerful drug -- when used to treat depression -- in the sense of bringing a quick recovery, but shows excellent long term results in many patients. The herb assists body and soul in the healing process and helps to build a solid foundation for a complete recovery.

St John's Wort was tested in a double-blind study of 105 male and female patients in the 20 to 64 year age group, suffering from mild to moderate depression. They were divided into two groups and monitored over a period of four weeks. One group were given 300mg of St Johns Wort extract three times daily, and the other received a placebo. All of the patients had psychiatric evaluations before the start of the study and after four weeks of treatment. The results revealed that, 67% of the St Johns Wort group had responded positively to the treatment without any adverse side effects whereas only 28% of the placebo group showed any signs of improvement.

St Johns Wort is available as tea (flowers and leaves), liquid extracts and pills or capsules. It is normally taken thrice daily and it will take one week or more to notice any improvement in the condition. Treatment can be continued for long periods of time as the herb does not normally produce any side effects. But St Johns Wort can interact strongly with other medication e.g. cancer and HIV drugs, contraceptive pills and others. So it is vitally important to consult a medical specialist first before starting a course of treatment.

One effect of St Johns Wort is, that it makes the skin more sensitive to light. It is therefore important to keep out of the sun as much as possible while using the herb.

There is growing evidence to suggest that St. Johns Wort is a safe and effective, natural remedy for the treatment of mild to medium depression.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. It cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment.

Mireille Gautschi is a qualified Flower Essence Therapist and Herbalist who has many years experience with the developement of natural herbal remedies. Her products can be found on the Hillside Herbal Products website that also offers a very informative newsletter.


MORE RESOURCES:

Javno.hr

Atlantic hurricane season's 13th tropical depression forms off ...
CNN - 2 hours ago
MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- The 13th tropical depression of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season formed Monday in the Bay of Campeche, just off Mexico's Yucatan ...
Depression may form in Mexico's Bay of Campeche - NHC Reuters India
Tropical Depression 13 Swirls Near Mexico Central Florida News 13|
Tropical depression forms near Mexico oil fields Reuters AlertNet
BYM News (press release) - WESH.com
all 1,186 news articles


Many Military Installations Worldwide Participate in National ...
MarketWatch - 1 hour ago
Command Sergeant Major Samuel M. Rhodes, Sr. from Fort Benning, Georgia, speaks to soldiers about his experience with depression and PTSD in order to ...


Poll: 60% say depression 'likely'
CNNMoney.com - 56 minutes ago
Poll finds 6 of 10 believe a depression is somewhat or very likely - seeing 25% unemployed and millions homeless and hungry. By Chris Isidore, CNNMoney.com ...
Report: Majority says depression is likely USA Today
all 2 news articles


Canoe.ca

Could Obama be the new Roosevelt?
Times Online, UK - 22 hours ago
These were no more than village halts on the railroad to depression. However, we do know when the last global banking crisis was turned round, ...
Then & now San Diego Union Tribune
More Bank, Less Bucks: A Four Point Plan for the Rescue RGE Monitor
Does the US face Great Depression II? Hindu
USA Today - Dividend.com
all 113 news articles


RTE.ie

No depression, major recession, from US finance crisis: Bill Gates
AFP - 18 hours ago
"It looks like the economy may go down somewhat, but nothing like a big recession or a depression," he added. On some experts' misgivings about the US ...
Bill Gates: US financial crisis won't lead to end of capitalism ... Jerusalem Post
all 77 news articles


Signs of depression
Inquirer.net, Philippines - 47 minutes ago
So what is depression? Affecting 121 million people worldwide, the World Health Organization estimates that by 2020 depression will become the most ...
'Nothing is all in the mind' Inquirer.net
all 2 news articles


BYU joins national day of testing for depression
BYU Newsnet, UT - 3 hours ago
By Jorge Torres - 6 Oct 2008 According to Mental Health America, clinical depression is a common medical illness affecting more than 19 million American ...


Cramer: Preventing Great Depression II
TheStreet.com - Oct 5, 2008
Keep the coming depression -- no, it won't be a mere recession -- shorter than the Great Depression. With that low bar in mind, let me tell you what I would ...
Value Investing 101: Wachovia TheStreet.com
all 76 news articles


Great Depression survivors worried but don't see history repeating
Sun-Sentinel.com, FL - 11 hours ago
But is this economic meltdown anything like the Great Depression? "No, this is nothing," said Boca Raton resident Mary Walsh, who at 96 has vivid memories ...


Canada.com

Sinking Rapidly Into Depression
Money and Markets, FL - 6 hours ago
In 1930, even on the brink of the Great Depression, America's highest officials dared not warn the public of a financial panic. But today, appearing before ...
Wall Street - Cold, Flat, and Broke Desicritics.org
Economic Fallout Gotham Gazette
Shooting the Salesman New York Magazine
Huntsville Item
all 132 news articles

Depression - Google News

home | site map
Web Site Development - Search Engine Marketing: Dream Team Media