St John’s Wort has been used by herbalists for centuries as a natural antidepressant. The herb has also been helpful for treating many of the mood swing symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome, the menopause and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).1,3,4,5,6

St John’s Wort is a wild flowering herb with distinctive yellow blooms. The petals and leaves of the plant contain a number of unique substances such as hypericin and hyperforin and it is thought that these substances are responsible for its antidepressant action.6

Action and uses of St John’s Wort
St John’s Wort is a herbal medicine that has been used traditionally to treat mild to moderate depression. It has also been used to treat many of the mood swing type symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome, the menopause and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
The exact mode of action isn’t known but it is thought to work by prolonging the action of a brain neurotransmitter, serotonin. St John’s Wort also increases production of the hormone melatonin (the brain’s natural sedative) to improve the quality of sleep.
Over the past 20 years there have been a number of clinical trials to investigate the efficacy of this herb for mild to moderate depression. Results have been impressive with St John’s Wort being as effective as some conventional treatments but with less risk of side effects.1		  

How much do you take?
300mg (900mcg hypericin) to 900mg daily. One a day formulations are available.

Side Effects/Safety 2
St John’s Wort can interfere with how some prescribed medicines work. If you are taking prescribed medicines, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking St John’s Wort.
Do not take together with other anti-depressant drugs.
Do not take with the following; warfarin, cyclosporine, oral contraceptives, anti-convulsants, digoxin, theophylline, HIV protease inhibitors, triptans and SSRI anti-depressants.
Do not take during pregnancy or breast-feeding.
Not suitable for children.
Avoid over-exposure to the sun especially if fair-skinned.
As with any herbal supplement, if you believe you have a condition requiring medical treatment, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking St John’s Wort.