St. John's Wort
St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is an invasive weed with yellow flowers, named after John the Baptist. When you hold the leaves up to light, you can see tiny red dots that contain essential plant oils.
Uses:
- St. John's Wort is more effective than a placebo—and works as well as some antidepressants—at treating mild to moderate depression. (If anxiety is also present, St. John's Wort and valerian may work better.)
- One study found that twice daily St. John's Wort (with support phone calls) helped some people quit smoking without gaining weight.
Forms: Capsules, tincture, tea, skin patches
Cautions
- St. John's Wort can interact with as many as half of all prescription drugs, making them stronger or weaker. It can reduce blood levels of iron or weaken HIV or transplant drugs. Some people have lost transplants while taking St. John's Wort. But it can also raise blood levels of other antidepressants or digoxin, and cause poisoning. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before you take St. John's Wort with any other drugs.
- If you take St. John's Wort, beware of the sun. It can make some people more likely to burn.
- St. John's Wort can reduce the ability of sperm to swim, and may even act as a spermicide.
