St. John's Wort for Depression

Depression and anxiety affects millions of people around the world. It affects people of all ages and ethnicity. Millions of dollars a year are being spent on prescription medication to help these victims deal with the pain depression can cause as well as the side effects that most of these medications onset. St. John’s wort has been recognized for decades for its healing abilities for depression and anxiety. Many studies have shown that St. John’s wort aids in treating mild to moderate depression and anxiety. Victims of depression should study, research, and consider taking St. John’s wort to help them in their fight against depression.

St. John’s Wort as an Antidepressant

Millions of people around the world suffer from depression. In the last few years depression has been popularly diagnosed and has been brought to the spot light. Millions of people search and try several medications available today which cost them hundreds or more dollars a year. One option that some may try is herbal medications. St. John’s wort is one of the herbal medications that some will try in treating depression. Before trying any form of medication you should make sure to understand what depression is , how you can treat it properly and safely, and how to avoid future problems.

What is Depression? Who Does it Affect?

“Depression affects almost 10% of the population, or 19 million Americans, in a given year” ( National Institute of Health Publication No. NIH-99-3561). It is an illness that can affect anyone at any stage in life. Depression is believed to occur when the neurotransmitters in the brain fail to deliver a message properly. Neurotransmitters are like messengers for the brain to trigger a response. If these messages are not received properly, emotions, actions, and some of the body’s functions can be interrupted and malfunction. This is why depression hurts. It can cause an emotional roller coaster for men and women, teenagers, elderly, and even children. It can cause our joints, muscles, and whole body to ache.

Depression can cause an increase or decrease in appetite, therefore, leading to weight gain or weight loss. It can cause sleepless nights or the feeling that you never get enough sleep. It can cause headaches, weak immune system, fatigue, and much more. It is unsure how the body triggers into depression but many studies have found some common links to possible causes. Some of these causes are caffeine, stress, genetically inherited, injuries, and /or illnesses.

If I Have Depression, Where Do I Turn?

A common place to turn when someone has depression is…nowhere. Over two-thirds of victims of depression do not seek medical or any kind of help. This is why it is important for everyone to learn the facts on depression and help if someone is in need. Those who do seek out for help find themselves spending hundreds throughout the year on Physicians and medications. The common SSRI ( selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) is the popular solution prescribed by a Physician. Some of the more common SSRIs prescribed are Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft. Many of these medications are found to have side effects such as weight gain or loss, decrease in sexual desire and functions ( premature ejaculation, anorgasim ), and much more. Herbal treatments have been around much longer than prescription drugs and can be much safer for our bodies. The most commonly turned to herb for depression is St. John’s wort.

What is St. John’s Wort?

“ St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a perennial herb that grows widely in Europe, Western Asia, North Africa, and America.” (R.K Gupta-H.J. Moller) It has been know to people for decades for its healing in depression, stress, and other therapeutic issues. St. John’s wort was named after St. John’s Feast Day in which people would hang this plant from doors and stables to protect themselves and their livestock from demons and sickness. It’s physical appearance is a mysteriously beautiful flower with yellow petals. On these yellow petals there are tiny little black dots toward the edges.

It’s leaves are pinnately compound in design and also have dots that cover them. If you were to rub these leaves between your fingers the plant would release a red sap. The red blood-like sap is where St. John’s wort also gets one of its nick names; Andro Haimon (Mar’s blood). This sap is where you will find the biological compounds that are used in treatments. As early as the 13th century, St. John’s wort was recognized for its healing abilities but at this time was believed to chase away the evil spirits. In later centuries, it was used to treat malaria, fatigue, depression, and more.

(Medicinal Plants of The Northeast. By: Sharon Barotz and Carrie Bilodeau)