St. John’s Wort or Hypericum originated in Europe and Asia before spreading throughout the world. Employed against a variety of ailments for over 2000 years, enthusiasts recommend this phytotherapy without scientific evidence for menopausal symptoms, insomnia, irritable bowel disease and peptic ulcers.
St. John’s Wort may relieve symptoms of depression equally as well as selective serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRIs) including Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft and Celexa. The major advantage of St. John’s Wort appears to be the dramatically lower incidence of side effects.
While not all studies demonstrate benefit, St. John’s Wort outsells Prozac in Germany and Austria by a factor of 4:1. The typical dose averages 900 mg each day divided into three equal portions with some individuals requiring as little as 500 mg while others need 1800 mg.
Confusion exists regarding the active ingredient. Once thought to be hypericin, it now appears hyperforin provides most of the antidepressant effect. Unfortunately the quality of St. John’s Wort varies between batches and depends on the method of extraction. The FDA does not assure either the safety or efficacy of St. John’s Wort.