Product Information
There are 60 tablets in a bottle, containing 300mg of St Johns Wort extract, which is equivalent to a 1500-2100mg of the herb. The instructions are to take 2 tablets per day to be taken with a glass of water. It states that it’s only suitable for adults.
Ingredients
Dry extract from St John’s Wort aerial parts (Hypericum perforatum L) (5-7:1), Maltodextrin, Silica colloidal anhydrous; (tablet core) Calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, Cellulose microcrystalline, Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, Croscarmellose sodium, Silica colloidal hydrated, Magnesium stearate; (tablet coating) Sodium carboxymethylcellulose, Lecithin, Dextrose monohydrate, Sodium citrate, Dextrin.
Fundamentals
St. John’s Wort is a flowering plant native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, known for its traditional medicinal uses. It is often used as a herbal remedy for depression and anxiety due to its purported mood-enhancing properties. While its exact mechanism of action is not fully understood, there are several ways in which St. John’s Wort is believed to help with these conditions.
It’s thought to increase the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, including serotonin, and contains compounds that inhibit the activity of monoamine oxidase, an enzyme responsible for breaking down neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
Some research suggests that St. John’s Wort has anti-inflammatory properties, which may contribute to its antidepressant effects. It contains compounds with neuroprotective properties, which may help protect the brain from damage caused by stress and other factors.
St. John’s Wort contains antioxidants, which help neutralize harmful molecules called free radicals. Free radicals can damage cells, including those in the brain, and may contribute to mood disorders. By scavenging free radicals, St. John’s Wort may help protect against oxidative stress and support overall brain health.
Results of one 300 patient study in 2002 suggested that St. John’s Wort was more effective than placebo and as effective as sertraline in treating mild to moderate depression, with fewer side effects.
While some Cochrane reviews have found St. John’s Wort to be more effective than placebo and as effective as standard antidepressants for mild to moderate depression, others have concluded that the evidence is inconclusive or of low quality due to methodological issues in the included studies.
Potential Interactions & Care
St Johns Wort interacts with a large amount of medications, so definitely consult with your doctor first before trying it. Drug interactions with St. John’s Wort can have serious consequences.
It can increase the activity of certain liver enzymes, particularly cytochrome P450 enzymes. These enzymes play a crucial role in metabolizing many drugs. When the activity of these enzymes is increased, medications are broken down more rapidly than usual, leading to lower-than-intended levels of the drug in the bloodstream. This can reduce the effectiveness of the medication.
As a result of increased metabolism, St. John’s Wort can significantly reduce the blood levels of certain medications. This is particularly concerning for drugs that have a narrow therapeutic window, meaning there is a small range of doses that are effective and safe. It may also interfere with the absorption of certain medications in the gastrointestinal tract.
Personal Experience
I tried St John’s Wort for 3 months in order to treat low mood and some mild anxiety. I wasn’t taking any other medication at the time, so I didn’t have to worry about drug interactions. I would say the benefit was slight but noticeable, it elevated mood slightly and tempered it a little more. It’s unclear if taking it for a longer period of time would be necessary to see better results but it might be a more practical supplement to try if anti-depressant consistently fails to make any improvements. There’s people who swear by this supplement and people who swear that it’s equally useless. The supplement has been used for centuries and gained a lot of trust due to its history of use, so at the very least it must have at least some use or a decent placebo effect.
St John's Wort - Natures Aid
Score
6/10
A herbal remedy aimed at anxiety but perhaps only for those with mild symptoms. The wide range of medications that it can interact badly with is often a concern.
