Product Code: 404
Used in traditional herbalism for centuries, recent scientific research has made St. John's Wort one of Europe's most popular herbal products. Millions of people use the natural mood-fortification properties of St. John's Wort daily.
How much is usually taken?
The standard recommendation for mild to moderate depression is 500–1,050 mg of St. John’s wort extract per day. Results may be noted as early as two weeks. Length of use should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
Historical or traditional use
In ancient Greece, St. John’s wort was used to treat many ailments, including sciatica and poisonous reptile bites.
In Europe, St. John’s wort was used by herbalists for the topical treatment of wounds and burns. It is also a folk remedy for kidney and lung ailments as well as for depression.
Active constituents
The major constituents in St. John’s wort include hypericin and other dianthrones, flavonoids, xanthones, and hyperforin. While it was previously thought the antidepressant actions of St. John’s wort were due to hypericin and the inhibition of the enzyme monoamine oxidase,2 current research has challenged this belief, focusing on other constituents, such as hyperforin, and flavonoids. Test tube studies suggest that St. John’s wort extracts may exert their antidepressant actions by inhibiting the reuptake of the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. This action is possibly due to the constituent hyperforin. St. John’s wort is able to act as an antidepressant, by making more of these neurotransmitters available to the brain.
