St john's wort

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The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements and Herbs Nicola Reavley See book keywords and concepts

In a study published in 1996 in the British Medical Journal, researchers from Germany and America analysed the results of 23 clinical trials that looked at st john's wort in the treatment of depression.8 The trials involved 1757 patients with mild to moderately severe depression. They specifically investigated whether st john's wort was more effective than a placebo, whether it was as effective as standard antidepressant drugs, and whether it had fewer side effects than those drugs.

Rational Phytotherapy: A Reference Guide for Physicians and Pharmacists volker schulz and Rudolf Hansel See book keywords and concepts

Schrader E, on behalf of the Study Group (2000) Equivalence of st john's wort extract (ZE 117) and fluoxetine: a randomized, controlled study in mild to moderate depression. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 15: 61-68. Schulz V (1999) Stellenwert von Hypericum-Extrakten in der Therapie leichter bis mittelschwer-er Depressionen. In: Loew D, Blume H, Dingermann T (eds) Phytopharmaka V - Forschung und klinische Anwendung. Steinkopff-Verlag, Darmstadt, pp. 151-156. Schulz V (2000) The psychodynamic and pharmacodynamic effects of drugs: a differenciated evaluation of the efficacy of phytotherapy.

Henderson L, Yue QY, Bergquist C, Gerden B, Arlett P (2002) st john's wort (Hypericum perforatum): drug interactions and clinical outcomes. Br J Clin Pharmacol 54:349-56. Hoffmann J, Kiihl ED (1979) Therapie von depressiven Zustanden mit Hypericin (Therapy of depressive states with St. John's Wort). Z Allg Med 55: 776-782. Hiibner WD, Lande S, Podzuweit H (1994) Hypericum treatment of mild depression with somatic symptoms. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 7 (Suppl 1): 12-14. Hypericum Depression Trial Study Group: Effect of Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort) in major depressive disorder.

The Natural Medicine Guide to the 50 Most Common Medicinal Herbs Heather Boon, BScPhm, PhD and Michael Smith, BPharm, MRPharmS, ND See book keywords and concepts

In a review article, Beuscher comments on a study using a combination product containing both black cohosh and an extract of st john's wort (Hypericum perforatum L., Clusiaceae). In this multi-center trial conducted over 12 weeks with women (n=812) suffering from psycho-vegetative symptoms of menopause (including irritability, poor concentration, fear, insomnia, depression), 90% of patients noted an improvement.2 It should be noted that standardized extracts of St. John's Wort have now been shown to be effective in the management of mild-moderate depression when given as a single agent.

Rational Phytotherapy: A Reference Guide for Physicians and Pharmacists volker schulz and Rudolf Hansel See book keywords and concepts

Gaster B, Holroyd J (2000) st john's wort for depression. A systematic review. Arch Intern Med 160: 152-156. Gensthaler BM (2001) Johanniskraut ist Placebo uberlegen. Pharm Ztg 146 Nr. 24 (Vorlaufige Mitteilung vom 24.06.01). Giese AC (1980) Hypericism. Photochem Photobiol Rev 5: 229-255. Gobbi M (1999) Hypericum perforatum L. extract does not inhibit 5-HAT transporter in rat brain cortex. Arch Pharmacol 360: 262-269. Golsch S, Vocks E, Rakoski J, Brockow K, Ring J (1997) Reversible Erhohung der Photosensitivitat im UV-B-Bereich durch Johanniskrautextrakt-Praparate. Der Hautarzt 48: 249-252.

Van Gurp G, Meterissam GB, Haiek LN, McCruscer J, Bellavance F (2002) st john's wort or sertraline? Randomized controlled trial in primary care. Canadian Family Physician 48: 905-912. Volz HP (1997) Controlled clinical trials of hypericum extracts in depressed patients - an overview. Pharmacopsychiat 30 (Suppl): 72-76.6. Volz HP, Hansel R (1995) Hypericum (Johanniskraut) als pflanzliches Antidepressivum. Psycho-pharmakotherapie 2:1-9. Volz HP, Laux P (2000) Potential treatment for subthreshold and mild depression: A comparison of St. John's wort extracts and fluoxetine.

Gordon J (1998) SSRIs and St John's wort: possible toxicity? Am Fam Physician 62: 31. Greenson JM, Sanford B, Monti DA (2001) St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum): a review of the current pharmacolocical, toxicological and clinical literature. Psychopharmacology 153: 402-14. Gulick RM, McAuliffe V, Holden-Wiltse J et al.: Phase I studies of hypericin, the active compound in St. John's Wort, as an antiretroviral agent in HIV-infected adults. Ann Intern Med 130: 510-514,1999. Halama P (1991) Wirksamkeit des Johanniskrautextraktes LI 160 bei depressiver Verstimmung.

The interaction between st john's wort and oral contraceptive. Clin Pharmacol Ther 74: 525-535. Hamilton M (i960) A rating scale for depression. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 23: 56-61. Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (eds) (1993) Hagers Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5th edition, Drogen E-O. Springer Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp. 268-292. Hansgen KD, Vesper J (1996) Antidepressive Wirksamkeit eines hochdosierten Hypericum- Extraktes. Munch Med Wschr 138: 29-33. Harrer G (1999) Comparison of equivalence between the St. John's wort extract LoHyp-57 and fluoxetine.

The Natural Medicine Guide to the 50 Most Common Medicinal Herbs Heather Boon, BScPhm, PhD and Michael Smith, BPharm, MRPharmS, ND See book keywords and concepts

In contrast to the studies described above, a randomized, double-blind trial comparing 1800 mg daily of st john's wort extract LI 160 to 150 mg daily of imipramine in 209 severely depressed patients from 20 psychiatric centers reported that both were equally effective (Hamilton Depression Scales) over the 6 week treatment period.8 MISCELLANEOUS EFFECTS One randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-week study (n=151) reported that St.

Prescription Medicines, Side Effects and Natural Alternatives American Medical Publishing See book keywords and concepts

Adverse interactions also have been reported between st john's wort and cyclosporine, a drug used to reduce the risk of organ transplant rejection. Potentially dangerous changes in drug effects can occur when medications such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps) and warfarin (Coumadin) are taken with St. John's Wort extracts. So, as you can clearly see, St. John's Wort is a "natural" substance that is far from harmless, and could be deadly in many situation. Overall, the jury is still out on St. John's Wort, and its supposed ability to treat depression..

Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 2 Michael T. Murray, ND See book keywords and concepts

Piper mythisticum Kava extracts, like st john's wort, are gaining in popularity in Europe in the treatment of anxiety and depression. Several European countries (e.g. Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Austria) have approved kava preparations in the treatment of nervous anxiety, insomnia, depression, and restlessness on the basis of detailed pharmacological data and favorable clinical studies. In fact, kava extract compares quite favorably with benzodiazepines in effectiveness, but does not possess the major drawbacks of these drugs (impaired mental acuity, addictiveness, etc.).

Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1 Michael T. Murray, ND See book keywords and concepts

An investigation of the type of photosensitization caused by the ingestion of st john's wort (Hypericum perforatum) by calves. J Comp Path 1981; 91: 135-141 46. Siegers CP, Biel S, Wilhelm KP. Zur frage der phototoxizitat von hypericum. 1993; 12: 320-322 47. Woelk H, Burkard G, Grunwald J. Benefits and risks of the hypericum extract LI 160. drug monitoring study with 3250 patients. J Geriatr Psychiatry Nerol 1994; 7: S34-38 48. Henry JA, Alexander CA, Sener EK. Relative mortality from overdose of antidepressants.

Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 2 Michael T. Murray, ND See book keywords and concepts

In severe cases, this can be used in combination with st john's wort and/or 5-HTP. If anxiety is a significant factor, kava extract standardized for kavalactone content should be used at a dosage of 45-70 mg kavalactones three times daily. BIPOLAR (MANIC) DEPRESSION AND HYPOMANIA GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS Bipolar depression is a disorder characterized by periods of major depression alternating with periods of elevated mood. If the elevated mood is relatively mild and lasts for 4 days or less it is referred to as hypomania. Mania is longer and more intense.

Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1 Michael T. Murray, ND See book keywords and concepts

Schmidt U, Sommer H. st john's wort extract in the ambulatory therapy of depression. Attention and reaction ability are preserved. Fortschr Med 1993; 111: 339-342 31. Schmidt U, Schenk N, Schwarz N et al. The therapy of depressive moods. Psycho 1989; 15: 665-671 32. Sommer H, Harrer G. Placebo-controlled double-blind study examining the effectiveness of an hypericum preparation in 105 mildly depressed patients. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 1994; 7: S9-11 33. Bergman R, Nubner J, Demling J. Behandlung leichter gis mittelschwer depressionen.

Linde K et al. st john's wort for depression - an overview and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials. BMJ 1996; 313: 253-258 24. Halama P. Efficacy of the Hypericum extract LI 160 in the treatment of 50 patients of a psychiatrist. Nervenheilkunde 1991; 10:305-307 25. HansgrenD, Vesper J, Ploch M. Multicenter double-blind study examining the antidepressant effectiveness of the hypericum extract LI 160.1 Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 1994; 7: S15-18 26. Harrer G, Sommer H. Treatment of mild/moderate depressions with Hypericum. Phytomed 1994; 1: 3-8 27. Hubner WD, Lande S, Podzuweit H.

In another open pilot study, 18 HIV patients (three with the CDC II, eight with CDC III, four with CDC IV B and three with CDC IV CI classification) were treated solely with standardized st john's wort extract (weekly intravenous injection and daily oral intake), providing a daily intake of 2 mg of hypericin.42 The 16/18 patients with good compliance showed stable or even increasing counts of absolute helper T-cells over the 40 months of observation. Also the helper to suppressor T-cell ratio showed an improvement in the majority of these patients.

Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 2 Michael T. Murray, ND See book keywords and concepts

There was a significant reduction in the Hamilton Depression Scale in both groups (72 and 60%, respectively), demonstrating that the efficacy of st john's wort extract in SAD is enhanced with light therapy. THERAPEUTIC APPROACH Since the cause of SAD appears to be light-related, the treatment goal is to extend the light exposure on winter REFERENCES 1. Seligman M. Learned optimism. New York: Knopf. 1991 2. Peterson C, Seligman M, Valliant G. Pessimistic explanatory style as a risk factor for physical illness: a thirty-five year longitudinal study. J Person Soc Psych 1988; 55: 23-27 3.

St John's wort has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, which is important considering the fact that HIV virus often attacks the brain.121 Note. It is difficult to achieve sufficiently high blood levels of Hypericin via oral administration to produce antiviral activity. It is highly recommended, however, as an antidepressant for HIV+ patients. Be aware that Hypericum can produce photosensitivity. Patients will tan and burn more rapidly. Recommend sun block. Buxus sepervirens (evergreen boxwood) Dosage: 100 mg t.i.d. (SPV-30).

Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy: Modern Herbal Medicine Simon Mills and Kerry Bone See book keywords and concepts

One hundred and forty-seven outpatients aged between 20 and 65 were given a daily dose of 450-900 mg of valerian and st john's wort concentrates (equivalent to 0.45-0.9 mg total hypericin) or 75-150 mg of amitriptyline over 6 weeks. Benefit was observed for 82% of patients in the herbal group compared to 77% in the amitriptyline group. The total Hamilton Depression Score was reduced from 24.2 to 8.4 after 6 weeks with herbal treatment and from 24.3 to 8.9 after the drug.

Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 2 Michael T. Murray, ND See book keywords and concepts

Therefore, have the patient introduce full-spectrum lighting throughout their indoor environment and prescribe conjunctive therapy with night-time melatonin (3 mg 45 minutes before retiring) and daytime st john's wort or 5-HTP. disturbance. Behav Ther 1985; 19: 593-594 24. Christensen L. Psychological distress and diet - effects of sucrose and caffeine. J Apl Nutr 1988; 40: 44-50 25. Martin JE, Dubbert PM. Exercise applications and promotion in behavioral medicine. J Consult Clin Psychol 1982; 50: 1004-1017 26. Weyerer S, Kupfer B. Physical exercise and psychological health.

Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy: Modern Herbal Medicine Simon Mills and Kerry Bone See book keywords and concepts

In medieval times, fennel, in conjunction with st john's wort and other herbs, was hung over doors on Midsummer's Eve to ward off evil spirits. Similarly, it was used as a condiment for the salt fish consumed during Lent. Fennel seeds were discovered amongst the personal chattels of Egyptian pharaohs which were salvaged from the tombs. The fruit (often called the seed) or root are the parts most commonly used for medical purposes (although the roots are no longer used as they are considered inferior to the seed).

Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1 Michael T. Murray, ND See book keywords and concepts

The obvious questions is: "Why do so many German MDs know about st john's wort, Ginkgo, and other herbal medicines while conventional medical doctors in the US remain ignorant?" The answer: Germany addressed the issue of rational claims for herbal products by developing the Commission E series of monographs (now totaling over 400). The monograph system allowed companies to market their products according to the guidelines of the Commission E.

Miracle Cures: Dramatic New Scientific Discoveries Revealing the Healing Powers of Herbs, Vitamins, and Other Natural Remedies Jean Carper See book keywords and concepts

New research suggests that st john's wort actually relieves depression by acting as a "serotonin reuptake inhibitor," which is the way Prozac works. However, which specific chemicals in St. John's wort account for its antidepressant activity is unclear, says Dr. Cott. Long identified as the most likely candidate is hypericin, the plant's red pigment and a documented psychotropic agent.

Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 1 Michael T. Murray, ND See book keywords and concepts

In these studies, st john's wort extract was found to enhance the exploratory activity of mice in a foreign environment, extend the narcotic sleeping time in a dose-dependent fashion, antagonize the effects of reserpine, and decrease aggressive behavior in socially isolated male mice.1,11 These activities are consistent with the expected effects of antidepressant compounds and appear to be the result of increased monoamine activity.

Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 2 Michael T. Murray, ND See book keywords and concepts

Also, as serotonin reuptake inhibitors like Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil are often helpful when used in combination with lithium, 5-HTP and botanical medicines such as st john's wort extract may prove useful as adjuncts to lithium as well but without the side-effects. Tryptophan Although patients have responded to tryptophan supplementation, the effective doses were generally quite large, i.e. 12 g/day L-tryptophan.110,111 A better choice appears to be 5-HTP, which has been shown to be helpful in the treatment of bipolar depression when used in combination with lithium at a much lower dosage (e.

Bartram's Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: The Definitive Guide Thomas Bartram See book keywords and concepts

Any one: German Chamomile, Lime flowers, Holy Thistle, Motherwort, Silverweed, Skullcap, st john's wort. Betony. Combination: equal parts, Skullcap, German Chamomile, Motherwort. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-10 minutes. 1 cup thrice daily or as necessary. Decoction. More severe cases. Any one: Cramp bark, Valerian, Peruvian bark, Wild Yam, Prickly Ash bark. Tablets/capsules. Black Cohosh, Cramp bark, Prickly Ash bark, Devil's Claw, Wild Yam, Ligvites. Combination. Equal parts, Butterburr and Cramp bark.

The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements and Herbs Nicola Reavley See book keywords and concepts

Herbs which may be useful during menopause include chaste tree ( Vitex agnus castus), st john's wort (Hypericum perforatum), motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca), dong quai (Angelica sinensis), and black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa). See page 384 for more information on these herbs and the precautions that may be necessary. People who exercise regularly are healthier than those who don't. They are less likely to develop diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

These include cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa), echinacea (Echinacea purpurea), ginseng (Panaxginseng), st john's wort (Hypericumperforatum), reishi and shiitake mushrooms, licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), turmeric (Curcuma longa), astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), aloe vera (Aloe vera) and mistletoe (Viscum album). Many patients have also used traditional Chinese herbal treatments. See page 384 for more information on these herbs and the precautions that may be necessary.

Recent media coverage of the benefits of herbs such as Echinacea, st john's wort and Ginkgo means that these are also very popular. Women are more likely to use supplements than men, and most people who take them tend to do so because they feel that their food is of poor quality and contains toxic chemicals. Some people see supplements as health insurance and some take them for what they see as their specific benefits; for example, vitamin C for colds. Who might need supplements?

Bartram's Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: The Definitive Guide Thomas Bartram See book keywords and concepts

Marshmallow and Slippery Elm ointment; Oil st john's wort, Rue tea. Fresh pulp of Aloe Vera. Later stages: Sunlight soap plaster. Official medicine at the turn of the century used Lassar's paste or zinc and castor oil ointment which are still effective. Distilled extract of Witch Hazel. For threatened gangrene, skin breakdown with formation of slough: (1) Zinc and Castor oil ointment (or cream) plus a little powdered Myrrh. (2) Cold poultice of Comfrey powder. BEDSTRAW, LADIES. Cheese rennet. Galium verum L. Action. Alterative, diuretic. Uses. Kidney stone, gravel, gout. Preparation.

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