| One small study showed that people who took st. john's wort in combination with either bright light or dim light therapy experienced significant improvement in SAD." Martinez B, Kasper S, Ruhrman S et al, Hypericum in the treatment of seasonal affective disorders. Journal of Geriatrics Psychiatry and Neurology 1994; (suppl 1):S29-S33.
TEA TREE OIL
• "... A standard for tea tree oil was established in 1985. It requires a minimum content of 30% terpinen-4-ol and less than 15% cineole. |
| One study found the combination of valerian and st. john's wort to be equivalent to the antidepressant drug amftryptiline. . . ." Steger W, A randomized, double-blind study to compare the effectiveness of a plant based combination of metabolic substances to a synthetic antidepressant in depressive states. Zeitschrift Allg Med 1985; 61:914-918.
• "... and several clinical studies confirm that valerian is effective for insomnia." Donath F, Quispe S, Diefenbach K, Maurer A, Fietze I, Roots I, Critical evaluation of the effect of valerian extract on sleep structure and sleep quality. |
| Given all the potential side effects of traditional antidepressants, it makes sense that natural compounds such as SAMe and st. john's wort be used as a first line of treatment. If you are currently taking pharmaceutical antidepressants, I recommend working with a doctor to add SAMe to your protocol. Medications always have side effects, and if you can reduce the dosage, you're likely to reduce or eliminate at least some of the effects.
SAMe works at a much deeper level than drug therapy. With the methyl-donor mechanism, it opens the door to more biochemical reactions. |
| My friend Tim says that st. john's wort works better than drugs to prevent depression."
"For some people it does. The other bonus is that it doesn't have the side effects like reduced libido," I replied.
"My wife will be happy when she hears that," said Tony with a smile.
I then explained that it is very important that he be monitored closely while switching over from the Prozac. Stopping the Prozac too rapidly could cause a rebound effect, sending him into very severe depression as his brain is deprived of the accustomed medication.
Tony was weaned off the Prozac over the next two months. |
Rebecca Wood
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 Even though in the heart of my garden I grow echinacea and st. john's wort for tinctures—and I recommend them to you—they're not included here. Parsley and sage have entries because they're culinary ingredients. Chamomile, too, since it is our most common tisane.
Cornsilk squeaked in because, although my primary use of it is medicinal (it is a diuretic and treats kidney stones) rather than culinary, it makes an oh-so-sweet stock. Besides, the next time you're shucking corn, its silk will be right there in your hand— free for the taking—ready to be dried. |
Earl Mindell
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 St. John's wort tablet with polyphenol complex daily
3 amino acid-chelated calcium and magnesium tabs 3 times daily
1 MVP a.m. and p.m. with meals
1,000 mg. vitamin C with 50 mg. rutin, hesperidin, and 500 mg. bioflavonoids (time release) a.m. and p.m. |
Robert S. McCaleb, Evelyn Leigh, and Krista Morien
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 Depression: Clinical Study (1988)
A combination formula containing valerian and st. john's wort was just as effective as the antidepressant drug amitriptyline in treating symptoms of depression—with far fewer side effects. The multicenter, randomized, double-blind study involved 130 depressed people who took either 1 capsule of the herbal formula three times daily or 1 (25 mg) capsule of amitriptyline three times daily over a 6-week period. |
James Green
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 If you are seeking to harvest "noxious weeds" such as Stinging Nettles, Dandelions, or st. john's wort, I have found that, when asked, land owners often say, "Hell yah, take all you want; get those damn things out of here!" So you do them the favor and they love you for it. They think you're a little odd and a bit eccentric, but there is no problem. Indulge yourself in being odd now and then; it stirs the pot. However, when you seek to harvest someone's Eucalyptus, Black Walnut, or Hawthorn trees, then you might have to be a httle more persuasive. But get permission. It improves the vibe. |
| St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) Scullcap (Scutellaria spp.) Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus) Willow (Salix alba) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus)
I have asterisked the plants which are broadly used in commerce and which, due to over-harvest, loss of habitat, or by the nature of their innate rareness or sensitivity are either at risk or have significantly declined in numbers within their current range. Use substitute plants when possible (see the discussion on page 24). |
| Following this, I made a cherry st. john's wort jello and called it "cherry up." Next, I assembled a relaxing nervine jello using Valerian and California Poppy with lemon Jell-O and called it "mellow yellow jello" (naming your herb jello is optional).
I feel a great potential here for parents, grumps, and wee ones. One can experiment with all types of flavored Jell-O® brand jellos in order to find those that cohabit harmoniously in a jelly-body with otherwise strange and frightful tasting herbal extracts, like Feverfew, Oregon Grape, Yarrow, and Mugwort. |
Gary Null, Ph.D.
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 Contemporary research points to the herb's promise as an effective therapy for cancer, AIDS, alcoholism, hepatitis, and isomnia. st. john's wort has been used historically against symptoms associated with PMS and as an reliable treatment for wounds and burns. It can be taken as a tincture, tea, decotion, oil, or capsule.
Stinging Nettle
Several studies point to the benefits of stinging nettle extracts in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. |
| When a person sees an alternative physician and the doctor says, "I gave you 400 mg of st. john's wort for depression and bitter melon for your high titers—hepatitis. How are you feeling?" and the patient replies, "I feel much better. I don't have so many mood swings, and I have lots more stamina . . ." that's anecdotal medicine.
The difference is that orthodox Western medicine's anecdotes are accepted. The same case study, with the same results and conclusions, reported by a physician who employed alternative treatment, would be rejected. There is clearly a case of double standards. |
Dr. Gary Null
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 A study compared the antidepressive and anxiety-relieving effects of a valerian root and st. john's wort extract to those of amitriptyline. Results showed the herbal extract to be as effective as the amitriptyline, prompting the authors to argue for the use of phy-tomedicines (plant-derived medicines) in the treatment of depression and mood disorders.
K. O. Hiller and V. |
Robert S. McCaleb, Evelyn Leigh, and Krista Morien
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| In this study, 20 people with SAD were randomized to receive 4 weeks of treatment with standardized st. john's wort extract (300 mg three times a day) in combination with 2 hours of daily treatment with either bright light (3,000 lux) or dim light (less than 300 lux). According to the HAMD, both treatment groups experienced significant improvement in SAD symptoms, such as fatigue, despondency, and bad temper, and statistical analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the two treatment groups. The researchers concluded that St. |
Sheldon Saul Hendler
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 The effective dose of hypericin or pseudohypericin for the treatment of these conditions is not known, there is great variability in the amount of these substances found in different preparations of the herb and the ingestion of a large amount of st. john's wort could lead to very toxic reactions. Those who do experiment with this herb should stay out of the sunlight or use sunscreens with an SPF (sun protective factor) of at least 15 if they are exposed to sunlight.
Sarsaparilla
(Builds Muscle?/Fighrs Leprosy? |
Robert S. McCaleb, Evelyn Leigh, and Krista Morien
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| Based on limited evidence from laboratory experiments, researchers at first believed that st. john's wort inhibits a substance called monoamine oxidase (MAO), which regulates levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. Subsequent research indicated that this was not the case and the theory fell out of favor, allaying fears that Hypericum could cause the same kind of serious side effects as prescription antidepressant drugs called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Several other theories are currently under investigation. One proposes that St. |
Ralph W. Moss PhD
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 Vitae Elixxir Ingredients
Scientific Name Common Name AHPA
Chlorophyllin (plant component) —
Sanguinaria canadensis Bloodroot 2b, 2d
Impatiens pallida Jewelweed —
Hydrastis canadensis Goldenseal 2b
Ferula galbaniflua Galbanum 2b, 2d+
Hypericum perforatum st. john's wort 2d
Rubus villosus American blackberry 1
Fumaria officinalis Fumitory —
Frasera carolinensis American columbo —
Allicin (ingredient in garlic) —
Allium sativum Garlic 2c
Trace Elements: Zinc, Potassium, Barium, Iron, Sodium, Calcium, Copper.
+This is the rating for Ferula asafetida and related species. F. |
Robert S. McCaleb, Evelyn Leigh, and Krista Morien
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| John's wort to be more effective than placebo and just as effective as certain prescription antidepressants, but with a much lower rate of side effects. St. John's wort's exemplary safety record contributes greatly to the herb's popularity. Although often helpful in relieving symptoms, prescription antidepressant medications can cause a variety of troublesome side effects, including problems with memory and concentration, drowsiness, lethargy, confusion, dry mouth, and weight gain. |
| The highest-quality research is on single-herb extracts such as ginkgo, st. john's wort, and saw palmetto.
Government Regulation of Herbal Products
Many people believe that the decline of herbal medicine was the result of the discovery or invention of safer or more effective medicines than the herbal remedies used by our ancestors. The truth is that synthetics overtook natural medicines in the pharmacy because of money and laws, not science and medicine. In the early twentieth century, the U.S. Congress became alarmed by questionable "patent medicines" sold by unscrupulous medicine men. |
Larry Trivieri, Jr.
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 John's wort, skullcap, valerian
Joint and Muscle Pain—cayenne, chamomile, nettle, valerian
Allergies—chamomile, milk thistle
Digestive Disorders—astragalus, cayenne, chamomile, dandelion, ginger, goldenseal, licorice
Anxiety—chamomile, hops, kava-kava, passionflower, valerian
Depression—oatstraw, st. john's wort alone, concentrating specifically on building the immune system. He says,"If you have an energy depression, it has to do with the immune system, because the immune system is fighting a disease." Dr. |
| HERBS: • Combine equal parts of oat straw, st. john's wort, and skullcap tinctures and take one teaspoon of this mixture four times a day. • Peppermint oil applied topically may reduce the pain through a mild local numbing effect. Do not attempt this if the skin is extremely sensitive. • Colloidal oatmeal powder may be dusted on the affected skin to act as a dry lubricant, hopefully reducing pain from contact with clothes.
HOMEOPATHY: Arsen alb., Rhus tox., Sepia, Natrum mur, Hepar sulph., Caladium, Acidum nit.
HYDROTHERAPY: According to Leon Chaitow, N.D, D.O. |
| Stimulated by funding from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health, millions of dollars have been committed to the development of human clinical trials to test the efficacy of such herbs as st. john's wort, ginkgo, echinacea, black cohosh, and many more.The future looks bright for those who want to explore the benefits of herbal medicine. The demand for natural medicines has grown significantly, to the point that herbal preparations are now available in supermarkets, drugstores, and other large retail outlets. |
| It is not effective for cases of more serious or chronic depression, however, and can adversely affect the activity of conventional drugs (antivirals, immunosuppressants, cardiac medications, and possibly others); therefore, people should not use st. john's wort if they are taking conventional medicines, without the consent of their physician.
SAW PALMETTO (SERENOA REPENS)
Saw palmetto is the fruit of an American dwarf palm tree from Florida that has become popular as an herbal remedy for maintaining the health of the male urinary tract. |
| A number of herbal remedies can be useful for treating mental conditions without the same risk of side effects associated with psychiatric drugs. st. john's wort, for example, is a mood elevator shown to be helpful for anxiety and depression.
• Screen for trace mineral imbalances, food and environmental allergies or sensitivities, excess histamine levels, hypoglycemia, and viral brain infections. |
Robert S. McCaleb, Evelyn Leigh, and Krista Morien
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| The 1,800-mg daily dose of st. john's wort extract used in the study and the 150-mg dose of imipramine were both twice as high as doses used in earlier trials that compared the two substances. Over the 6-week treatment period, the study groups experienced a comparable improvement in depression symptoms, according to HAMD scores. These results seem promising, but the authors admitted that, "a definite proof of efficacy would . . . only have been possible if both treatment regimens had been tested against placebo. |
Robyn Landis
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 And at the recommended dosage, st. john's wort doesn't cause the mouth dryness, anxiety, oversedation, headaches, nausea, insomnia, digestive problems, heart problems, or other side effects of many common antidepressants. Prescription MAO inhibitors also interact with tyramine, an amino acid found in cheese, beer, wine, and other foods, and can cause severe hypertension in patients who eat these foods. |
Dr. Mary Dan Eades
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| Jute contains a great deal of folate, the B vitamin that prevents neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
• st. john's wort is soothing to the perineum during labor. After labor, its anti-inflammatory action eases the burning and swelling and speeds up healing of perineal tears.
• After birth, a dose of shepherd's purse can help stop bleeding.
One word of caution: Although these herbs have been used by women for centuries, every pregnancy is different. Please discuss with your doctor, midwife, or doula the use of any one or all of these herbs before using them.
What must you avoid? |
Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
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 The researchers concluded that st. john's wort had an antidepressive effect in the treatment of mild and moderate depression that was at least as effective as some traditional antidepressants, but without any undesirable side effects.
Kava kava—This member of the pepper family is found mainly in Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia. Several European countries have approved kava preparations in the treatment of nervous anxiety, insomnia, and restlessness. I know from personal experience that this herb can restore peace of mind and tranquility, and can promote a feeling of wellbeing. |
Marion Nestle
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 The new food products included not only the familiar vitamin-enriched breakfast cereals but also such innovations as tortilla chips supplemented with st. john's wort and calcium-supplemented chocolates. The only conceivable explanation for development of such products was to present them as dietary supplements so that they could be marketed using health claims. By the time DSHEA was enacted, health claims were well understood as an effective stimulant to sales.2
Food companies understood the decision in Pearson v. |
| Two of the earliest actions were against companies promoting st. john's wort as a treatment for tuberculosis, influenza, and other infectious diseases that were unlikely to be cured by this herb.11
ELICITING CONCERNS OVER SAFETY AND EFFICACY
In the absence of firm regulation, the proliferation of supplements and of the claims for them has heightened concerns about safety and efficacy and has subjected the products to increasing scrutiny. |
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