St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a small plant with beautiful yellow flowers. It has long been used to improve mood. Many people believe it helps you get through the day with a more positive outlook.
What is St. John’s Wort?
St. John’s Wort is a small plant from the Hypericum genus with the scientific name Hypericum perforatum. It grows wild in Europe but has since spread to America, Russia, Asia, China, and the Middle East. It is a completely natural herb with an impressive list of potential (but not yet confirmed) effects, but its use is not without risk for everyone. You can read more about this further down on this page. St. John’s wort has become extremely popular in recent decades as a potential herbal remedy for various purposes; however, science has yet to provide definitive answers regarding its actual effects.
The effects of St. John’s wort
The best-known effect of St. John’s Wort is that it appears to work well for people who want to adopt a more positive outlook on life.
Use of St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum):
To make tea, pour a cup of boiling water over 1–2 teaspoons of dried St. John’s wort and let it steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Do not drink more than three cups per day.
For specific therapeutic purposes, it may be wiser to use capsules or tablets containing a standardized extract of this herb.
Warning
St. John’s wort can adversely affect the efficacy of medications. St. John’s wort enhances the activity of the liver enzyme cytochrome P450, causing certain medications to be broken down more quickly and thus have a reduced effect. If you are taking a medication in combination with St. John’s wort (or a product containing it), you are advised to contact your doctor or thrombosis clinic, who can provide further information on whether this combination may lead to such an interaction.
The above applies if you wish to start using St. John’s wort, but also if you wish to stop using St. John’s wort in combination with any of the following medications:
- immune system suppressants, for example in organ transplants and autoimmune diseases: cyclosporine;
- coumarin-type anticoagulants, such as acenocoumarol (e.g., Sintrom) and fenprocoumon (e.g., Marcoumar);
- antiepileptics: phenobarbital and phenytoin;
- bronchodilators: theophylline;
- cardiac glycosides for heart failure and arrhythmias: digoxin;
- HIV inhibitors: indinavir.
St. John’s wort may also affect the efficacy of SSRI-type antidepressants. Concomitant use is strongly discouraged.
In rare cases, breakthrough bleeding has been observed with the concurrent use of St. John’s wort and certain types of the birth control pill (a combination of ethinyl estradiol and desogestrel, also known as the “sub-50” pill). If breakthrough bleeding occurs, protection against pregnancy may be reduced.
Additional Information
A healthy lifestyle is important, as is a varied, balanced diet, for which dietary supplements are not a substitute. Keep out of reach of young children. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Store in a cool, dry, and dark place. If you have medical complications, are taking medication, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or a healthcare professional before use. Stop use immediately if you experience any unwanted side effects from this product.
The health effects listed above have not yet been officially established.
