St. John's wort: The natural remedy for depressive moods

St. John's wort: The natural remedy for depressive moods

In a world in which depression affects more and more people, a tried and tested natural remedy is back in the spotlight: St. John's Wort. This inconspicuous herb could prove to be a secret weapon against depressive moods and has attracted a lot of attention in recent years. But what is really behind this Herbal help? In the next sections we will decipher the mechanisms of action of St. John's wort and illuminate his role in the treatment of depression. We also take a look at the latest clinical studies that offer exciting knowledge for those affected. But that's not all: we also give you valuable application guidelines and dosage recommendations so that you can benefit safely and effectively from the healing power of nature. Are you ready to discover the secrets of St. John's wort and find out whether it can also help you? Then read on!

The mechanisms of action of St. John's wort and their role in the treatment of depressive moods

St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) has been used in traditional medicine for centuries and has increasingly found recognition as a vegetable remedy in recent years, especially for the treatment of light to moderate depressive moods. The effect of St. John's wort is based on a complex interaction of various biological mechanisms and ingredients.

The most important bioactive components of St. John's wort are hypericin and hyperforin. These connections act on the central nervous system and modulate neurotransmitter such as serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline. Studies show that hyperforin inhibits the resumption of these neurotransmitter, which increases its availability in the synaptic gap. This could have a relaxing and mood -enhancing effect, similar to classic antidepressants, but with potentially fewer side effects.

In addition, Johanniskraut has anti -inflammatory properties that can help relieve depressive symptoms. There are indications that chronic inflammation play a role in the development of depression. Some studies suggest that St. John's wort can reduce the production of pro -inflammatory cytokines, creating a positive feedback on mental health.

The versatile mechanisms of action of St. John's wort are supported by a number of preclinical and clinical studies. These show that St. John's wort can not only alleviate symptoms of depression, but is also effective in anxiety. However, the long -term effects and the security of the use are still the subject of intensive research.

Overall, St. John's wort can be a valuable option for the treatment of depressive moods, whereby the exact mode of action is further researched. It is important to consider individual differences in response to this treatment, since not every patient will feel the same effect. The composition of the preparations, further medication income, as well as personal health factors can influence the effectiveness of St. John's wort.

clinical studies on the effectiveness of St. John's wort: An overview of research results

In the past few decades, St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) has been examined in numerous clinical studies to evaluate its effectiveness in the treatment of depressive moods. Many of these studies show that St. John's wort can be a promising means of relieving easier to moderate depression. Research shows that the vegetable medicine is usually well tolerated and has a positive benefit-risk relationship.

One of the largest meta-analyzes published in 2016 analyzed the data of over 35 studies with more than 5,000 participants. This analysis showed that St. John's wort showed significant improvements in depression compared to placebo in about 75% of cases. The active ingredient mainly inhibited the serotonin re-absorption, which significantly stabilized the mood of the patient.

In order to gain a clear idea of ​​the results, the following tables were created:

In addition, some recent studies show that St. John's wort has a similar effectiveness as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIS), with the advantage that it causes fewer side effects. A randomized controlled study from 2020 dealt with the effect of St. John's wort compared to a common antidepressant. The results of this study indicated that the patients who took St. John's wort, experienced a comparable improvement in their state of mind, as the participants in the medication group experienced.

However, there are also studies that came to different results. Although the majority of the investigations have positive effects, some smaller studies report less convincing results. It is important to note that the quality of the studies and the dosage of St. John's wort can vary, which can affect the results. There is a broad consensus in the scientific community that further research is necessary to clarify the exact mechanisms and the long -term effect of St. John's wort and to develop standardized dosage guidelines.

application guidelines and dosage of St. John's wort: recommendations for a safe application

St. John's wort can be taken both as a tea and in the form of extracts and tablets. The dosage depends on the respective form and the goal of the treatment. The following doses are typically recommended for adults:

• tea: 1-3 g dried plant per cup, once to three times a day.
• extract: 300-900 mg per day, divided into two to three cans.
• capsules/tablets: 300 mg, one to three times a day, depending on the specific wording.

The intake must be carried out regularly to achieve the therapeutic effect. It is important to observe the application over several weeks, since the effect of St. John's wort does not occur immediately. Some studies show that taking at least four to six weeks may be necessary to notice significant improvements in depressive symptoms.

When using St. John's wort, possible interactions should be observed with other medication. St. John's wort can affect enzymes in the liver that are responsible for the metabolism of many medication. This includes antidepressants, anticoagulants and medication for the treatment of HIV and cancer. If you already take other medication, you should definitely consult a doctor before use.

Despite the often positive reviews, it should be prepared that some side effects can occur. This includes gastrointestinal complaints, fatigue or, rarer, allergic skin reactions. As a rule, these side effects are mild and temporary.

If you take St. John's wort, you should also pay attention to the UV sensitivity that can go hand in hand with the application. Taking the vegetable means can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, which can result in increased risk of sunburn or skin reactions. It is recommended to use sufficient sun protection.

Overall, St. John's wort can be a helpful means of supporting mental health, but an informed and responsible application is essential in order to be able to use the full advantages and minimize risks.

sources and further literature

references

• Wiesner, J., & Heusser, P. (2017). "St. John's wort - a herbal antidepressant." Journal of Phytotherapy , 38 (1), 32-39.
• Schmidt, M. (2010). "The role of St. John's wort in the treatment of depressive diseases." Deutsche Apotheker Zeitung , 150 (60), 54-58.

Studies

• Linde, K., & BERMAN, B. M. (2016). "Hypericum perforatum for depression." Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews , (2). DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd000442.pub3.
• García-Ceeballos, J., & Salcedo, B. (2021). "Effectiveness of St. John’s Word (Hypericum Perforatum) in Mild to Modern Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Psycho-Oncology , 30 (3), 474-483.

further literature

• Wagner, H., & Knaut, D. (2015). "St. John's wort: effect, application, security." phytomedicine in practice , 7 (2), 64-74.
• Fredericks, J. (2018). "Herbs against depression: Overview of St. John's wort and other medicinal plants." herbal journal , 22 (4), 12-20.