Potential Cautions and Side Effects when Using St. John's Wort for Depression

St. John's Wort (Hypericum Perforatum) is a perennial shrub that has been used for many, many years as an aid to some of life's most common ailments. The ancient Greek people used this herb as a skin balm, and the pre-Christian Celtic people also used St. John's Wort in rituals - both for magical purposes as well as a calming agent.

In addition to depression, St. John's Wort is also used for PMS, hemorrhoids, alcoholism, anxiety and warding off infections.

St. John's Wort is a very versatile, herb used commonly in natural medicine. In fact, St. John's Wort is one of the most common natural alternatives to synthetic drugs - especially in the field of depression. Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus University in Giessen, Germany conducted a study with 300 random participants who suffered from mild to moderate depression. They conducted their research by giving half of the participants St. John's Wort and giving the other half Tofranil, a popular anti-depressant drug, for a total of six weeks. Studies showed that the users of St. John's Wort reported nearly half the amount of side effects of Tofranil. St. John's Wort is often used instead of such synthetic anti-depressants as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft.

However, as successful of an alternative medicine as St. John's Wort may be, dealing with depression is a very delicate matter. There are some potential side effects brought upon by the consumption of St. John's Wort that should be acknowledged prior to taking it. First and foremost, St. John's Wort is NOT recommended for use in treatment of severe depression - only use with cases of mild to moderate depression.

The main side effect of the herb is sensitivity to sunlight. You may want to steer clear, or ask your doctor before taking St. John's Wort if you tend to spend a lot of time outside. St. John's Wort is also currently under research to determine whether or not the herb is connected to users who have developed cataracts.

Another side effect is fatigue. However, not a serious effect, this still arises as a concern for some people. Regular users of St. John's Wort have remedied this affliction by taking the herb prior to going to bed. There is no risk of fatigue that way, and, as you are less active, it will keep less of the side effects at bay as well.

Some users experience dry mouth and sweating when taking this as an aid. A quick, logical, and healthy remedy to this effect is to drink more water. The sweating may not cease, but the dry mouth will decrease and you'll be cleansing your body of toxins, as well.

Not necessarily a negative side effect, but a direct relation to the herb is minor weight loss. Yet another reason why it's very important to be sure to drink enough water when using. In fact, some diet pills even contain St. John's Wort because of it's weight dropping abilities.

Because depression is a delicate matter, there are some foods that should not be consumed while using St. John's Wort. These include red wine (or any alcohol in general), aged cheeses, and sausage. Also be wary if you are pregnant and considering using this remedy - contact your doctor before using.

The most common way to consume St. John's Wort is via capsule. The appropriate dosage for capsule consumption is no more than 900mg per day. That could mean three 300mg capsules throughout the day, or two 450mg capsules. Rarely is St. John's Wort consumed via liquid, or "tincture". However, if you're headed that way - you should absolutely heed the directions on the bottle.

Natural remedies are growing in popularity every day. Not only are they healthier - they are easier for your body to digest, and don't contact synthetic chemicals. St. John's Wort is a clear choice for treating depression, but remember that everyone's body composition is different and you should consult your doctor before consuming.