st john's wort

What is St John's Wort?

St John's Wort (hypericum perforatum) is a herb which comes from a plant with small, yellow flowers.

What symptoms does it treat?

It is often used to treat symptoms of mild to moderate depression and anxiety. There have been some placebo-controlled medical studies which have shown that it is an effective treatment for these conditions. In some countries, including Germany, St John's Wort is prescribed for mild or moderate depression more often than standard anti-depressants.

How is it taken?

St John's Wort is most commonly available in tablet or capsule form. The main active ingredient in the herb is called Hypericin, and tablets will often show how much Hypericin they contain.

REVIEWS OF ST JOHN'S WORT

Review by Claire

I would like to recommend this little but powerful herbal supplement to anyone who suffers from a nervous and anxious disposition. My anxiety over having an IBS attack actually leads to one (I have alternating IBS), but now I find myself feeling happier and more positive thanks to St John's Wort. It is nature's answer to anti-depressants, and let me honestly say that my IBS gave me some pretty bad depression.

I am not saying it stops attacks, just that it relaxes you, getting more serotonin to the brain. The other day I was sat on the loo for an hour and a half because I couldn't stop going, and usually I would be crying afterwards, but I just carried on with the rest of my day, not worrying. Now that's good stuff! I noticed a more relaxed me within a few days (and I take the 1000mg hypericin) I and plan to continue it, as I refuse to be put on anti-depressants by my GP!