Hypericum perforatum
St John's wort is a common name for a perennial herb, the botanical name of which is Hypericum perforatum. Hypericum (see photo) is a yellow flowerering herb indigenous to central and western Europe, which grows wild in many meadows. All above-ground parts of the herb are used to make herbal tea, which has long been enjoyed both for its pleasant taste and for its medicinal properties. In modern medicine, standardized hypericum extract is commonly used as a treatment for depression and anxiety disorders. In homeopathy, hypericum is often used in the treatment of blunt trauma.
The first recorded use of Hypericum for medicinal purposes dates back to ancient Greece, and it has been used ever since.
In some countries such as Germany, Hypericum is prescribed for mild depression, far more commonly than conventional antidepressant medication. Standardized extracts can be bought today as an over-the-counter remedy, usualy in pill or capsule form. Many clinical studies have found it to be effective in the treatment of mild to moderate depression, with fewer side effects than many conventional antidepressant medications. Although it has not been found to be effective in the treatment of more serious forms of depression.
Although the exact mechanism by which it works is unclear, it is believed to involve slowing the disposal of seratonin, thus boosting seratonin levels.
The usual dosage is 900 mg of hypericum extract per day, usualy made up of three 300 mg capsules or tablets taken at different times of the day. It is recomended that Hypericum be taken for at least four weeks before judging its effectiveness.
Due to lack of controls and regulation, some surveys have shown that the quality of over the counter St John's wort varies wildly, with some brands having far higher potency than others. So the success of treatment can vary with the brand used.
Disclaimer: Wikipedia is an informational resource not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. It is strongly advised that anyone believing to suffer from depression seek treatment from a qualified professional.