St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) Though a range of herbal remedies exists for the treatment of mild to moderate depression, attention inevitably focuses on St John’s wort, which over the last 10 years or so has become the key herbal remedy for what is an increasingly common condition.
Since 1996, when the British Medical Journal published a ground-breaking analysis, endorsing the herb’s use in depression, St John’s wort has become first choice treatment for non-severe depression. With about 30 clinical trials showing positive results in lifting depression, and a remarkably low incidence of side-effects, St John’s wort is a safe and effective treatment for depressive illness.
Unusually, St John’s wort is safe for selftreatment, though depression is frequently a condition that requires professional help. St John’s wort can be taken as an infusion or extract and generally needs to be taken for at least 10 days before its antidepressant activity takes effect.
It has been used for depressive states since the time of the ancient Greeks, but herbal practitioners also see St John’s wort as a herb of choice in conditions in which the nervous system is under stress, such as shingles, sciatica and nervous exhaustion. It combines well with valerian (Valeriana officinalis) in depression to promote sleep and relaxation; and with black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) in depression linked to the menopause.
OTHER HERBAL MEDICINES that can prove valuable in depression include:
- lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), which is a gentle sedative with a positive, uplifting effect;
- liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), which is a tonic and restorative that supports liver and adrenal gland function; ginkgo
- (Ginkgo biloba), which stimulates the circulation, protects the nerves and has some antidepressant activity;
- Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis), which is a nerve tonic that improves memory and mental performance.
Herbal practitioners will combine these with other herbs that strengthen liver function and elimination, support circulation, particularly to the central nervous system, and stimulate adrenal gland activity.
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