Overview
Easy to grow in the home garden and widely available as a supplement, St. John’s wort has been touted as a safer alternative to prescription antidepressants. Used for centuries as a treatment for “nervous disorders,” there is some evidence that it is more effective than a placebo for treating mild to moderate depression.
Habitat
A shrubby perennial with bright yellow leaves, common St. John’s wort or Klamathweed (Hypericum perforatum L.) can be invasive if not contained. Hardy to Zone 3, St. John’s wort flowers from May through August. It prefers light, sandy and acidic soil, but will grow in most types of garden soil. A woodland plant, it will grow and spread in light or full shade as long as it has adequate moisture.
Depression
St. John’s wort has been shown to be effective against mild to moderate depression. Studies conducted in Stockholm reported that 61 percent of patients treated with low doses of hypericum extract (less than 1.7 mg) showed improvement while 75 percent of the patients treated with higher dose (2.7 mg) showed improvement.
Other Uses
The flowers and leaves of St. John’s wort have been used to make yellow, brown and gold dyes. Chopped and boiled for one hour, the dye can be used to color fabrics. Infuse the entire plant in oil or alcohol to obtain a reddish dye.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, components in St. John’s wort have antibacterial and antiviral properties that may be useful in treating infections. Individuals suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may also find relief with St. John’s wort.
Preparation
St. John’s wort is available in tablet or capsule form. Most commercial preparations contain a standardized amount of hypericin. A typical recommended dose is .2 to 1 mg of hypericin. St. John’s wort can also be taken as a tea. Commercial teas containing St. John’s wort usually contain other ingredients to mask the bitter taste of hypericum.
Cautions
St. John’s wort may cause side effects including fatigue, dry mouth, dizziness and stomach upset. In some users, there may be an increased sensitivity to sunlight, resulting in rash or sunburn. St. John’s wort can interfere with the effectiveness of certain prescription drugs including antidepressants, birth control pills, cyclosporine, digoxin, indinavir, irinotecan and some anticoagulants. Speak to your doctor before using St. John’s wort to treat depression.
About this Author
Moira Clune is a freelance writer who since 1991 has been writing sales and promotional materials for her own and other small businesses. In addition, she has published articles on eHow.com, GardenGuides.com and VetInfo.com.
