Caution for Women Using St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort (or Hypericum perforatum to the botanists, herbalists, and Latin lovers out there) is an herb commonly used to combat depression or serve as a ‘mood booster’. However, the herb will not work for every type of depression and is not recommended for use by everyone. In many ways, St. John’s wort presents a number of potential problems, especially for women.
When it comes to depression, St. John’s wort is typically found to work best at low severity levels, usually mild to moderate depression. Those with moderate depression may not receive the same level of relief compared to those with a milder form and severely depressed patients may not benefit from the herb at all. The good news is that for the mildly or seasonally depressed person, St. John’s wort can possibly offer some over-the-counter relief from the doldrums without having to resort to stronger medications with more side effects. Still, it is important to keep in mind that St. John’s wort is not without a flaw.
General side effects from using St. John’s wort include headaches or fatigue, sensitivity to sunlight, dizziness, dry mouth, and anxiety in some. For women, however, St. John’s wort can present more serious problems.
Women on contraceptives, for example, should refrain from St. John’s wort or use it with caution. Due to the herb’s effects on an enzyme in the body, hormones found in birth control are processed more quickly, rendering the medication less effective in preventing pregnancy. Therefore, it is important to utilize other methods of birth control if you intend on taking St. John’s wort for a period of time or consider other avenues of relief for your symptoms of depression. Other medications, such as warfarin and digoxin, are also not recommended to be used in conjunction with St. John’s wort. Similar to the effects on contraceptives, St. John’s wort can decrease the effectiveness of these prescriptions, which could put heart patients, who rely on these drugs to stay healthy, in a dangerous situation. In addition to the interactions St. John’s wort has with some medications, it should also be avoided if you are nursing, pregnant, or think you may be pregnant.
Depression and anxiety is a common problem for many and using St. John’s wort, particularly for milder problems, may be a safer and more affordable option than antidepressant medication. However, it is important that the herb be approached carefully. Those on certain prescriptions, such as heart medications or a regimen of contraceptives, and women who are nursing or pregnant should look to other options that may help reduce their symptoms of depression. Remember, if you have any doubt, always consult your physician or a pharmacist before utilizing St. John’s wort, or any herbal supplement for that matter, especially if you are taking other medications or have any severe health problems.
References:
1. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, National Institue of Health. Herbs at a glance: St. John’s Wort. Updated April 22, 2008. Available online at : http://nccam.nih.gov/health/stjohnswort
2. Henderson L, Yue QY, Bergquist C, Gerden B, Arlett P. St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum):
drug interactions and clinical outcomes. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2002 Oct; 54(4):349-56
Comments
Thanks for this information. I have a feeling that depression and solutions for depression are large issues that have gone untapped and the more I read, the more I'm convinced that women are looking for something beyond the traditional drugs used to treat depression.
While many women are realizing prescription drugs may not be their answer, it's also good to advise women they need to be cautious with the so-called alternatives.
And while I haven't had experience in what I would call depression, I have had some mild anxiety on and off and found some relief with a magnolia- and phellodendron-based product. I've recommended it to others, who say it helped ease their anxiety, as well. Reese, have you heard of any side effects for magnolia or phellodendron? Great info. Thanks.
Magnolia and Phellodendron
Magnolia appears to be pretty safe in the few studies that are available. However, it is not recommended to be taken during pregnancy or if you think you might be pregnant since there have been some reports of Magnolia acting as a uterine stimulant. A uterine stimulant makes the uterus contract and could cause the body to abort. It is also warned that Magnolia could result in excessive drowsiness if taken with alcohol, antidepressants, St. John's wort, skullcap, valerian and any other substance that may cause one to feel sleepy.
Phellodendron is considered safe as long as it is used in the recommended dose and is generally fine for use by adults. It should not be used in children, especially newborns since it has been shown to potentially cause brain damage. Phellodendron should also be avoided if you are pregnant or breast feeding because the active ingredients in the herb can cross the placenta or get into the breast milk. Phellodendron can also cause an enzyme in the body to slow down, there is a possibility that it can result in higher levels of drugs in the blood. You should check with your physician before taking Phellodendron if you are on any other medications.
One clinical study looked at the two herbs together in a popular product called Relora. In this one clinical study, "one patient reported heartburn, shaking hands, perilabial numbness, sexual dysfunction, and thyroid dysfunction. Another patient reported fatigue and headache" (2), unfortunately, there have not been any other studies done on these two herbs together.
Overall, Magnolia and Phellodendron are pretty safe when used properly, whether they are taken alone or together. If you do experience any side effects though, stop taking the herbs immediately.
References:
1.Jellin JM. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Accessed online: May 18, 2008. Available at: www.naturaldatabase.com
2.Kalman DS, Feldman S, Feldman R, Schwartz HI, Krieger DR, Garrison R. Effect of a proprietary Magnolia and Phellodendron extract on stress levels in healthy women: a pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Nutr J. 2008 Apr 21; 7:11
Reese:
Wow you obviously are very knowledgeable on this subject. Thanks so much for taking time out to put this together. I found your post so informative on this subject and would love to hear more about other natural remedies. I took St. John's Wart once many years ago and I did not notice any effect at all. I will be keep an eye out for more of your posts-loved reading this one.
Herbs can be bought at the store without a prescription & people don't always understand what they are taking because of that. Does anyone have any words of wisdom like this about other herbal supplements out there?
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