St. John's Wort Research Paper

The symptoms of depression usually vary from person to person; symptoms can either be severe or moderate. Some people can be indecisive, have uncontrollable sobbing, and feelings of despair, anger, and worthlessness. People with moderate symptoms might still be able to function, but their depression can cause them to lack a feeling of pleasure or ambition. As the above symptoms suggest, depression has to do with a lot more than just being sad. Depression symptoms can interfere with five areas of functioning: emotional, motivational, behavioral, cognitive, and physical. Depression can affect

Because Ca2+ is the central point for all mentioned processes, we focused our interests on hyperforin which is Ca2+-modulator. Hyperforin is the natural and biologically active compound extracted from Hypericum Perforatum (St John Wort) (26). The St John Wort extract and hyperforin attenuated symptoms of mild to moderate depression in a few clinical trials. Both extract and hyperforin displayed antidepressant-like activity in preclinical studies (27, 28).

In the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic & Statistical Manual (APA, 2000) the symptoms of depression are: loss of interest or enjoyment in activities; changing in weight and appetite; changes to sleep pattern; loss of energy; feeling worthless or guilty; suicidal thoughts; poor concentration and being either agitated or slowed up.

St John's Wort is widely known as an herbal treatment for depression. However, it also has indirect effects on weight loss. It increases the chemical production in the brain which allows for faster metabolism. Although its use is highly effective, this herbal product should be avoided too. Because of the changes it causes in the brain, it should be used in restriction. Doctors are the only ones who can prescribe the use of this herbal preparation.

Cymbalta (Duloxetine) is a Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI) use to treat depression (Breggin, 2013). There are several therapeutic and biological alternatives being implemented to control hopelessness. Many researcher are recommending other types of treatments before psychotropic therapy is implemented (O 'Mathuna & Larimore, 2010). Some of the therapeutic alternatives are Reflexology, Craniosacral Therapy (CST), Acupuncture, Exercise, Meditation and Direct Amino Acid Therapy Maintenance (Keegan, 2001). St John’s Wort, Passionflower, Valerian and Omega 3 fatty acids are a few of the biological options available to combat depression (Keegan, 2001). The dietary supplements tryptophan and

First of all it is important to understand what really constitutes depression. All of us feel down from time to time perhaps based on having a "bad day". However when feelings of sadness last for several weeks, months, or years, and are accompanied by other symptoms such as change of appetite, isolation from family and friends, sleeplessness, etc. these are symptoms of depression.

In April 2001 and again this month (April 2002) The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published the results of clinical trials conducted to test whether St. John's Wort works to treat Depression. (3, 4, 5) Both times the results did not favor the use of the herb. The most recent JAMA report concluded, "...hypericum should not be substituted for standard clinical care of proven efficacy, including antidepressant medications and specific psychotherapies, for the treatment of major depression of moderate severity." (3)

In a St. John’s Wart overview published by Berkley (2014), they reported that their “studies do not support the use of St. John’s wort for severe depression, depression of long duration, or bipolar disorder. There’s little or no good evidence that it relieves anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, seasonal affective or sleep disorders or premenstrual syndrome."These studies were conducted to see if this weed would act as a natural alternative to prescription medication. In other studies conducted by Berkley, they found that “St. John’s wort worked no better than a placebo in people with minor depression over a 12-week period, but had more adverse effects.” Unfortunately, many of their studies determined that if this supplement affected the

Experimental conclusions do little to clarify. One study, quoted by scientist Amitara Dasgupta, demonstrated that St. John’s Wort worked better than a placebo in treating depression with response rates as high as 1.97 in nine small trials and 1.28 in nine large trials. Furthermore, when compared against prescription SSRI’s, St. John’s Wort treated depression as effectively with response rates as high as 1.02 in five trials and 1.00 in another 12 trials (Dasgupta). Another study, conducted by the United States National Institutes of Health, found the patient’s response to St. John’s Wort no more effective than the placebo. Surprisingly, in this same experiment, the prescription antidepressants used as a control also failed to display a statistically significant benefit in treating depression (Enna and Norton). This particular study took place in 1993, but even today scientists are unable to determine the efficacy of St. John’s Wort as a treatment of depression. Instead, results vary so widely that they are inconclusive.

Treatment of depression is still in the process of discovery. Carolyn Gregoire has published new research in the health and wellness page, in which she describes the investigation of Ayahuasca for the treatment of depression. This new hypothesis has been discovered and tested in the University of San Paula, Brazil, also in the process of being studied by Dr. Brian Anderson, a psychiatrist at the University of California, San Francisco. Ayahuasca contains a product called Dimethyltryptamine, which is used as a substitute of the SSRI drugs and therapeutic treatments for

It has a similarity with valerian; it also treats spasms, fatigue, nervous tension and insomnia. It is used as sedatives and prolongs your sleeping time. This has been used by people for a very long time already since the ancient time. Now, because it is indeed effective and safe, people up to now are still using this herb.

Informative post! I have limited knowledge related to herbal medications. Through further research of St. John’s wort it was identified along with depression, the medication is commonly used by individuals to self-medicate for stress and anxiety. In addition, it is defined as more effective than prescribed antidepressants (Pirotta et al., 2014). While the research noted less side effects for St. John’s wort there is the possibility of severe drug interactions and side effects (Pirotta et al., 2014). The advanced practice nurse (APN) must be knowledgeable of drug interactions and side effects to ensure patients are knowledgeable. Possible interactions that may occur include takings St. John’s wort with antidepressants increasing the

America (Linde, K.,2009). Recent research suggests the effectiveness of this herb in treating other ailments, including cancer, inflammation-related disorders, and bacterial and viral diseases, and as an antioxidant and neuroprotective agent(Kenneth M. Klemow, 2011). Hypericin is a active constituents of St. John’s wort which act as antidepressant (DerMarderosian A, Beutler,2002).Monoamino oxidase is a enzyme which involved in degradation of amine neurotransmitters. Studies determine that the hypericin has the potential to inhibit MAO and further increase the level of neurotransmitters(Suzuki et al. 1984; Chavez

Symptoms of depression: There are many symptoms of depression. Depression symptoms can range from mild to serve. Here are some of the symptoms you could possibly experience when dealing with depression:

     People who usually experience depression, can seem fine. But there are many key signs to show that they are depressed. Such as, change in school performance, eating habits change, constant unhappiness, low self esteem, guilt, social isolation, inability to concentrate, irritable or angered easily, or has a severe lost of energy.