St John's Wort and Depression

St John's Wort is an herb which is commonly know to treat some forms of depression. The mild forms of depression are thought to be alleviated by supplementing your diet with the herb which is distributed in the form of pills, liquid or ground form as a tea.

In different parts of the world it is used as a herbal treatment for depression usually in the case of mild depression in children and teenagers.

St John's Wort has at times been shown to be as effective as antidepressants and has fewer side effects. St John's Wort dies not appear to be useful in certain chronic forms of depression.

Conflicting reports on the use in patients with major depression have been found and it is not seen to be as effective as a traditional antidepressants.

There have been reports of some side effects, stomach irritation, dizziness, confusion, fatigue and excess sedation. There have been no overdoses. In schizophrenic patients it it does cause a worsening to psychosis.

There are numerous medications which different interactions including serious, life threatening interactions In animals there are reports of serious side effects with the ingestion of St Johns Wort including Foot and Mouth disease.

The benefits of St John's Wort needs further studies and at the present time such studies are being done.

If the beneficial effects of St John's Wort can be found St John's Wort will prove to be an affordable asset to medication which would make the prognosis for depressed patients who suffer from depression.