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  Statistics show that 17 million
Americans suffer from depression, more
than half of whom shy away from seeking professional help. It’s no wonder that when
books and television interviews endorsed an over the counter mood-elevating herb, the
public responded enthusiastically.
 The St. John’s Wort herb
(Hypericum perforatum) was named in honor of St. John The Baptist. His traditional
birthday is in June, the month the golden flowers start to bloom (“wort” means
“plant”). This perennial herb grows almost like a weed, has been abundant in
Europe since ancient times. History shows that for 2,400 years, St. John’s Wort has
been used as a safe and effective herbal medicine. Hippocrates himself, in 350 B.C,
prescribed the herb’s extracts for relief from such ailments as dysentery,
tuberculosis, hemorrhage, jaundice, colds, insomnia, and hysteria.
Researchers in
Europe
 have studied St John’s Wort for
decades. They discovered a combination of elements in the plant, foremost of which is
“hypericin”, react with specific chemicals in the brain to temper emotional
discomfort, lift depression, and calm the nerves. Working very much like the common
synthetic prescription antidepressants (maprotiline hydrochloride and imipramine), natural
extracts from St. John’s Wort have shown to relax and soothe the psyche with minimal
side effects.
Doctors in Europe
have long prescribed St. John Wort
to patients suffering from depression. Since
1996, as a result from 25 studies reporting the favorable effects of the herb, production,
sale, and use of St. John’s Wort in the United States has skyrocketed. The National
Institute on Mental Health, has budgeted $5 million dollars to further test St. John's
Wort effectiveness on clinical depression.
St John’s
Wort’s therapeutic effects
are found to include:
- Relieves mild to moderate depression and anxiety.
- Promotes restful sleep.
- Improves capillary circulation.
- Increases cardiac circulation.
- Eases gastrointestinal distress.
- Relieves discomfort associated with premenstrual syndrome.
- Fights retroviruses.
St. John’s
Wort, as a natural remedy,
is currently available over-the-counter in several forms:
- Capsule – Standardized at 300 mg; 0.3 hypericin
content; suggested dosage is 2 – 12 capsules a day; Used for mood enhancement and
mental clarity, and to alleviate mild to moderate depression and anxiety.
- Tea – 2 teaspoons of dried St. John’s Wort; steep
for 10 minutes, strain; Add sugar or honey; Drink 1-2 cups every morning and evening; used
to soothe and calm the psyche, and relieve headaches, nervousness, cramping, and other
symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome.
- Oil – St. John’s Wort flowers infused in olive
oil; used externally as massage oil to ease joint pain, inflammation and sprains. Also for
bruises,
wounds, and hemorrhoids.
- Tincture – Crushed St. John’s Wort flowers steeped
in alcohol; used externally to disinfect wounds and first-degree burns; Also relieves
frost-bite by improving capillary circulation.
Reported side
effects,
though unusually mild and acceptable, include:
- Photosensitivity – Laboratory research indicated that
high doses of hypericin resulted in a sensitivity to sunlight and ultraviolet rays.
Although “high” dosage has not exactly been established, doctors advise
especially the fair-skinned to refrain from overexposure to sunlight, to avoid sunburn and
rashes.
- Gastrointestinal irritations, assorted allergic reactions,
tiredness, and restlessness have been reported by less than 1 percent of the users, mostly
attributed as psychosomatic.
Advice from
Doctors:
  Despite the report that for more
than ten years, German psychiatrists have prescribed St. John’s Wort as the best
anti-depressant medication (at the rate of 3 million prescriptions a year), plus the fact
that not one single human death has been attributed to the use of St. John’s Wort,
people suffering from chronic depression are advised to seek professional help rather than
administer self-medication. Taking St. John’s Wort together with other prescribed
anti-depressant medication should be under a doctor’s supervision.
About the Author
 Ruby
Bayan
is a freelance writer published in print and online. She is a Contributing Editor for
Suite101.com
I've often described myself as a "lighthearted soul always excited to learn
something new". As such I want to believe I am a free spirit and a student of life.
Born in Manila and a graduate of the University of the Philippines, I worked for a number
of years as Research Assistant in the university's Office of the President. Then I moved
on to a career in information technology sales, marketing, and project management.
Corporate Information Solutions, Inc (formerly Computer Information Systems Inc),
subsidiary of the Manila Electric Company, became my second home. Exhibits, presentations,
proposals, client calls, customer satisfaction, and IT solutions were my major concerns
for 15 years -- in both local and international markets.
During that time, I found myself conducting seminars on communication and presentation
skills, and writing profiles and webpage content.
In November 1996, LifeLine Magazine took me in as a Contributing Editor, and fondly
referred to me as an "inspirational writer". I realized then that through the
magazine I have the opportunity to "make a difference" by inspiring other people
to improve their quality of life.
I am blessed with a son, my pride and joy, Dante, now 20 years old, who is in his senior
year in Comparative Literature in the University of the Philippines.
I have recently retired from my work in sales, and am now starting a new life in Orlando,
Florida.
Back in the Philippines, I was also a mountaineer. Some of my write-ups appear, through
the kindness of very special friends, in the Meralco Mountaineers and Bundok Philippines
WebSites. As then Vice President for Membership of the Meralco Mountaineers, I wrote and
published its monthly newsletter, Ratrat ("Rush!").
Right now, I spend most of my time freelance writing. My latest published work appeared in
the Orlando Sentinel (read article) and the Writer's Ring Virtual Community (read
article).
My online writing "jobs" at present are:
- Contributing Editor for Suite101.com. The topic I handle is
"Inspiration/Motivation".
- Tipletter Writer for Cybertip4theDay.com. I contribute the
Thought4theDay.
- If plans don't miscarry, my first book will come out this
year (crossing fingers!).
My utmost respect for life, diversity, and the environment,
is expressed, however subtle, in my writings. I encourage my readers to pursue the
well-being of body and soul through fitness, self-improvement, and healthy relationships.
Selecting Over-the-Counter
Products
  Dr Carolle Jean-Murat, author of Menopause
Made Easy comments on selecting over-the-counter medications and
supplements and says, "There are many brands of herbal medications on the market.
Because they are classified as a food, they are not regulated. Over-the-counter herbs and
supplements lack quality control of content. There is usually a batch-to-batch
variation."
 Here are my recommendations
HotFlash FAQ:
Estrogen
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Many women taking estrogen report a feeling of
well being while taking their estrogen. There is research to suggest a link between
hormone use and Alzheimer prevention. In fact perimenopausal women find that in a short
time after starting an estrogen product they feel better- emotionally. See an excerpt from
an interview with Dr. Goldstein as well as other facts on estrogen and the mind.
SAM-e for Sure?
by Sue Spataro, RN, BSN
There has been a lot of media attention about a new over- the- counter herbal
supplement called SAM-e, pronounced "Sammy". SAM-e is short for
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