St. john's wort

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Handbook of Medicinal Plants Amarjit S. Basra See book keywords and concepts

Comparison of st. john's wort and imipramine for treating depression: Randomised controlled trial, British Medical Journal, 321: 536-539. 42. Schmidt, B., Ludke, R., Selbmann, H.K., Kotter, I., Tschirdewahn, B., Schaffner, W., and Heide, L. 2001, Efficacy and tolerability of a standardized willow bark extract in patients with ostearthritis randomised, placebo-controlled, double blind clinical trial, Phytother. Res., 15(4): 344-350; Wheatley, D., 2001, Stress induced insomnia treated with kava and valerian, Human Psychopharmacol., 16: 353-356; Scholey, A.B. and Kennedy, D.O.

Best Choices From the People's Pharmacy Joe Graedon, M.S. and Teresa Graedon, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

Ask your pharmacist or your doctor to check on this possibility if you contemplate taking st. john's wort together with any other medicine. Cost: Approximately $15 to $20 a month for Kira brand and found effective, should be used. Three standardized products that have been tested in Germany are available here. The brand names are Kira, Movana, and Perika. The Selegiline (Emsam) Patch The latest and most interesting chapter in antidepressant therapy involves a prescription skin patch containing the drug selegiline (Emsam).

Naturopathic Nutrition: A Guide to Nutrient-rich Food & Nutritional Supplements for Optimum Health Abram Hoffer, PhD, MD, FRCP(C) and Dr. Jonathan Prousjy, DPHE, DSC, ND, FRSH See book keywords and concepts

By the time the patient was 28, he had also tried st. john's wort, adrenal extract, constitutional homeopathic medicine, and amino acids, such a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), inositol, and L-taurine. None of these natural approaches helped. Just before he turned 29, the patient's anxiety worsened. Even though he did not notice any reduction in anxiety, he continued to take the following nutrients daily: 6 to 12 g of vitamin C; 800 IU of vitamin E; 50 mg of zinc; a B-complex containing 100 mg of each of the B vitamins; 1000 mg of calcium; and 400 mg of magnesium.

Best Choices From the People's Pharmacy Joe Graedon, M.S. and Teresa Graedon, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

Alternative therapies such as exercise, light therapy, fish oil, and st. john's wort may be helpful. • Emsam (selegiline) is a new antidepressant skin patch that may offer an alternative to the usual SSRI-type medications. DIABETES • Control weight • Eat a low-carbohydrate diet • Enjoy a little dark chocolate • Drink coffee þ?? • Exercise regularly þ???? • Sweeten foods with stevia þ?? • Add cinnamon to meals þ??? • Monitor blood sugar regularly • Get adequate vitamin D þ???? • Control stress • Ask your doctor about metformin (Glucophage) þ??

OTHER SLEEPY-TIME HERBS Other herbs that people have used to treat insomnia include hops, chamomile, lemon balm, passionflower, st. john's wort, kava, and fennel seeds. There are, unfortunately, few large, randomized, controlled studies to verify the effectiveness of any of these natural products.701 Kava works, but concerns have been raised that it might cause liver toxicity. This may have to do with how the kava is manufactured, but until this issue is resolved, we cannot recommend the long-term use of this herb. Chamomile tea is what Mrs.

Feed Your Genes Right: Eat to Turn Off Disease-Causing Genes and Slow Down Aging Jack Challem See book keywords and concepts

Many of the compounds found in ginkgo, st. john's wort, ginseng, and other herbs are also found in vegetables and fruits. However, other compounds are highly distinctive and found only in certain herbs, such as the ginkolides in ginkgo and the ginsenosides in ginseng. How to Take Flavonoid Supplements As with carotenoids, the best way to obtain a diverse selection of flavonoids is by eating a diet with a healthy range of vegetables and fruits. The reason is simple: no supplement can provide the variety of flavonoids found in foods.

A general dosage recommendation for st. john's wort is 300 mg three times daily. 5-HTP A form of the essential amino acid tryptophan, 5-hydroxy-tryptophan is the chemical precursor to serotonin. Researchers believe that it increases serotonin levels in the brain, which reduces depression and anxiety. A beneficial dosage is 300 to 400 mg daily. Fatigue and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome What Happens Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)—so severe that many people suffering from it have difficulty getting out of bed—affects an estimated 2 million Americans.

The Natural Pharmacy: Complete A-Z Reference to Natural Treatments for Common Health Conditions Alan R. Gaby, M.D., Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., Forrest Batz, Pharm.D. Rick Chester, RPh., N.D., DipLAc. George Constantine, R.Ph., Ph.D. Linnea D. Thompson, Pharm.D., N.D. See book keywords and concepts

Consult with a doctor before using st. john's wort oil enemas. Aloe vera (page 624) juice has anti-inflammatory activity and been used by some doctors for people with UC. In a double-blind study of people with mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis, supplementation with aloe resulted in a complete remission or an improvement in symptoms in 47% of cases, compared with 14% of those given a placebo (a statistically significant difference).47 No significant side effects were seen. The amount of aloe used was 100 ml (approximately 3.5 ounces) twice a day for four weeks.

Preliminary evidence suggests that supplementation with st. john's wort (page 747) extract (300 mg three times daily for 12 weeks) may improve psychological symptoms, including sexual well-being, in menopausal women. 3 A double-blind trial found that Asian ginseng (page 630) (200 mg per day of standardized extract) helped alleviate psychological symptoms of menopause, such as depression (page 145) and anxiety (page 30), but did not decrease physical symptoms, such as hot flashes or sexual dysfunction, in postmenopausal women who had not been treated with hormones.

John's wort extract supplying very high levels of hypericin can safely be used by people with HIV infection, particularly given St. John's wort's many drug interactions. Garlic (page 679) may assist in combating opportunistic infections. In one trial, administration of an aged garlic extract reduced the number of infections and relieved diarrhea (page 163) in a group of patients with AIDS.77 Garlic's active constituents have also been shown to kill HIV in the test tube, though these results have not been confirmed in human trials.

John's wort twice a week combined with three tablets of a standardized extract of st. john's wort taken three times per day by mouth. This study found not only improvements in CD4+ counts but only 2 of 16 participants developed opportunistic infections.75 No liver damage or any other side effects were noted in this trial. In a later study, much higher amounts of injectable or oral hypericin (0.25 mg/kg body weight or higher) led to serious side effects, primarily extreme sensitivity to sunlight (page 356).7 At this point, it is unlikely that isolated hypericin or supplements of St.

Best Choices From the People's Pharmacy Joe Graedon, M.S. and Teresa Graedon, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

Another reader shared her experience with a different herb: "I have been using st. john's wort since discontinuing hormone replacement therapy. It has relieved many symptoms, including sleeplessness, stress, and fits of temper." • • • NEURONTIN Another approach that may help some women who are suffering with hot flashes is an anticonvulsant drug called Neurontin (gabapen-tin). Pilot studies show that 900 milligrams daily of Neurontin reduces both the frequency and intensity of hot flashes, and that it works better than placebo.

Beat Diabetes Naturally: The Best Foods, Herbs, Supplements, and Lifestyle Strategies to Optimize Your Diabetes Care Michael T. Murray See book keywords and concepts

If you need additional support, consider using safe and effective natural treatments for depression, such as st. john's wort extract or 5-HTP (for more information on these natural approaches to depression, see www. doctormurray.com). The Importance of a Positive Mental Attitude The first step in dealing with diabetes is developing a positive mental attitude. Researchers have shown that a person's attitude plays a major role in determining how well he or she deals with diabetes and blood sugar control.

Best Choices From the People's Pharmacy Joe Graedon, M.S. and Teresa Graedon, Ph.D. See book keywords and concepts

Try vigorous exercise 5 days a week • Spend time outside in the sun or get a bright light • Add fish oil to your dietary regimen • Ask your doctor if st. john's wort would be safe þ?? • Inquire about Emsam when other treatments fail Almost everyone knows what it's like to feel sad. Losing a pet, a friend, or a loved one is devastating. Being fired or getting a divorce can send you into a tailspin. An accident or a serious disease affects not only the physical body but also the psyche. For a while there is little pleasure to be had in life.

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements Phyllis A. Balch, CNC See book keywords and concepts

Research published recently in the British Medical Journal indicates that, in a German study where st. john's wort was matched against Paxil, the supplement proved to be just as effective and subjects had fewer side effects. Q People who smoke are more likely than nonsmokers to be depressed. Smokers and non-smokers alike may benefit from Zyban (a sustained-release preparation of buproprion, also sold as Wellbutrin SR), an antidepressant also approved to help people quit smoking.

Handbook of Medicinal Plants Amarjit S. Basra See book keywords and concepts

Most antidepressants are synthetic compounds, but the use of st. john's wort herb Hypericum perforatum L. has grown considerably in recent years as a herbal treatment for mild to moderate depression. Although the herb has been known for centuries, it was mainly used for other purposes such as wound healing, and its current popular use does not have a very strong traditional base, although the plant was reputed to ward off evil spirits—a property which might indicate some psychological effects.

Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices Of Herbal Medicine David Hoffman, FNIMH, AHG See book keywords and concepts

John's Wort Oil If there is pain in the muscle tissue or any nerve pain, st. john's wort oil (Hypericum perforatum) can be effective. Make st. john's wort oil in late summer by picking fresh blossoms and putting them into oil: Fresh, just-opened Hypericum perforatum flowers 100 g (4 oz) Olive or sunflower oil 1 pint (Vi liter) Crush the flowers in a tablespoon of the oil and place in a clear glass container. Pour the rest of the oil over the flowers and mix well.

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements Phyllis A. Balch, CNC See book keywords and concepts

Bones/joints Alfalfa, black cohosh, boswellia, cat's claw, cayenne, celery, chuchuhuasi, dandelion, devil's claw, feverfew, flax, garlic, ginger, horsetail, jatoba, muira puama, nettle, olive leaf, pau d'arco, peppermint, primrose, red raspberry, st. john's wort, sarsaparilla, skullcap, suma, wild oregano, wild yam, wintergreen, yucca.

Understanding Medicinal Plants: Their Chemistry And Therapeutic Action Bryan Hanson, PhD See book keywords and concepts

How can I identify st. john's wort when I see it? • What time of year should I collect the plant? • What part of the plant should I collect? • How much of the plant should I take, and how should I take it? • What are the active ingredients in the plant? • How do the active ingredients work? • Can I overdose or poison myself by taking too much? • Can the plant be dangerous if I'm pregnant or have high blood pressure?

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements Phyllis A. Balch, CNC See book keywords and concepts

John's wort extract, which has been found to combat depression and improve the sense of emotional well-being (see Black Cohosh and st. john's wort under Herbs and Their Uses in HERBS in Part One). These supplements do not affect hormone levels. • Soy-Licious from Country Life. This dietary supplement is a high-protein soy-based drink mix with added genis-tein and daidzein (soy isoflavones), essential vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and adaptogenic herbs (adaptogens are herbs that help the body adapt to and cope with the effects of stress). • Sub-Adrene from American Biologies.

It is designed to support mental and nervous system function (see st. john's wort under Herbs and Their Uses in herbs in Part One). • Instant Enerjetz from Superior Source (Continental Vitamin Company). This is a convenient, easy-to-take form of vitamin B12 that is placed on or under the tongue (not swallowed). Vitamin B12 is needed to prevent anemia and maintain a healthy nervous system, and it boosts energy and combats fatigue (see vitamins in Part One). • Jerusalem artichoke tablets.

This supplement contains a complex of herbs and nutrients known for their positive effects on mood and anxiety, including st. john's wort, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), Siberian ginseng, kava kava, and passionflower. • Hyper-C Serum from Jason Natural Cosmetics. This is an oil-based moisturizing formula that contains vitamin C, an antioxidant, to protect the skin from free radical damage. It also reduces the appearance of existing fine lines and wrinkles, evens out skin tones, and makes the skin softer and smoother in texture. • HyperiCalm from Enzymatic Therapy. This supplement contains St.

Natural Cures They Don't Want You to Know About Kevin Trudeau See book keywords and concepts

Reuters reports that the herbal remedy st. john's wort is as effective, or more effective, in treating depression than drugs. • The FDA itself finally admits that extra virgin olive oil reduces the chances of coronary heart disease. • The BBC news reports that eating apples wards off colon cancer, and apples prevent and can cure cancer. • The Associated Press reports that walking keeps weight in check. • Reuters reports that people who sleep less tend to be fat, showing the benefits of getting proper rest. • ABC News reports that relaxation techniques lower blood pressure.

A Physician's Guide To Natural Health Products That Work James A. Howenstine, MD See book keywords and concepts

In Europe, st. john's wort (SJW) is a widely used treatment for depression. Up to 50% of persons diagnosed with depression in Germany are treated initially with SJW. Long-term usage may cause sun sensitivity in fair skinned individuals but there are no serious side effects. A study of st. john's wort showed that SJW had fewer side effects than a placebo. SJW is believed to act by prolonging the effect of the mood enhancing brain chemical serotonin. There may also be prolongation of the action of dopamine and norepinephrine. Drug interactions with cyclosporin, indivir, digoxin.

Prescription for Dietary Wellness: Using Foods to Heal Phyllis A. Balch, CNC See book keywords and concepts

Good: astragalus, bayberry, horsetail, mullein, myrrh, pau d'arco, rose hip, st. john's wort (herbal extracts). Also, primrose oil, wheat germ. Ulcer Best: all leafy greens, cabbage, okra, rutabaga, watercress. Good: carrot, celery, kale, potato, red pepper. Best: blue grape. Good: apple, banana, cantaloupe, papaya, blueberry, raisin. Best: peppermint (herbal extract). Also, aloe vera juice. Good: bilberry, chamomile, ginger root, goldenseal, marshmallow, parsley (herbal extracts). Also, psyllium seed.

The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs Mark Blumenthal See book keywords and concepts

John's wort /day) or 2 mg diazepam 2x/day Sedariston® Konzentrat (providing 50 mg of valerian and 100 mg of st. john's wort) The herbal combination was reportedly effective in 78% vs. only 54% of the diazepam group (p<0.0l). Side effects were reported by only 4% of those taking the herbs vs. 14% of those taking diazepam.

A Physician's Guide To Natural Health Products That Work James A. Howenstine, MD See book keywords and concepts

A study of st. john's wort showed that SJW had fewer side effects than a placebo. SJW is believed to act by prolonging the effect of the mood enhancing brain chemical serotonin. There may also be prolongation of the action of dopamine and norepinephrine. Drug interactions with cyclosporin, indivir, digoxin. theophylline and amitriptyline have been reported, so persons on those drugs should avoid st. john's wort.

The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs Mark Blumenthal See book keywords and concepts

Van Gurp G, Meterissian GB, Haiek LN, McCusker J, Bellavance F. st. john's wort or sertraline?: randomized controlled trial in primary care. Can Fam Physician 2002;48:905-12.

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

ANTI-DEPRESSANT EFFECTS Although there is considerable evidence that st. john's wort has some anti-depressant effects, clinical recommendations about its use at present must be tempered by the lack of long-term human data and studies in severe depression, uncertainty regarding mechanism of action, interaction with other medications and concerns regarding standardization and regulation of the content of commercial products in North America.23'25 Extracts of St.

The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs Mark Blumenthal See book keywords and concepts

Roby CA, Anderson GD, Kantor E et al. St. John's wort: effect on CYP3A4 activity. Clin Pharm Ther 2000;67(5):451-7. Ruppanner H, Schaefer U (eds.). Codex 2000/01 — Die Schweizer Arzneimittel in einem Griff. Basel, Switzerland: Documed AG. 2000. Ruschitzka F, Meier P, Turina M, et al. Acute heart transplant rejection due to Saint John's wort. Lancet2000\ 355:548-9. Schempp, CM, Muller K, Winghofer B, Shulte-Monting J, Simon JC. Single-dose and steady-state administration of Hypericum perforatum extract (St.

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