Are there any herbal remedies to fight depression

asks Paul James:
A. The best-known is St John's Wort or hypericum (hypericum perforatum). In clinical tests, it was found to be as effective as anti-depressants for treating mild to moderate depression, but with less side effects. In Germany, it is prescribed for more than half of all cases of depression, anxiety and sleep disorders (Prozac is prescribed for only two per cent).

�

Q. Has St John's Wort been used for long
A. Only for about two and half thousand years. It was prescribed as a medicine by Hippocrates and has been used since by herbalists.

�

Q. Is it only used to treat depression
A. It's a mood-lifter, generally, and is particularly useful for times when you are irritable and anxious, such as during the menopause, with PMS, or when you are suffering from nervous exhaustion. It is also used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and sleep disorders.

Externally, it is used to bathe wounds and can help with sciatica and sprains.

�

Q. How does it lift depression
A. It's not clear yet how it works. Experts believe that the active ingredients in extracts of St John's Wort are hyperforin, polycyclic phenols, hypericin, and pseudohypericin.

�

Q. How do you know you're buying a quality product
A. Good question. Tests show that the potency of herbal products can vary enormously - and be quite different from the claims made on the label. The only way you know you are getting a quality product is to look for the words 'standardised extract' on the label. That way, it should contain an exact amount of a specific active ingredient (standardised products are considered the highest-quality herbal products).
With St John's wort, it's the hypercin that's usually standardised, but some manufacturers are now standardising the hyperforin as well.

�

Q. Does St John's Wort have any side-effects
A. It has fewer side-effects than most anti-depressant drugs, but some users have complained of a dry mouth, dizziness, stomach upsets, increased sensitivity to sunlight, and tiredness.
Also, it should never be taken with other anti-depressants. And it can clash with many other prescribed drugs, including hormone treatments, so you should always tell your GP if you're taking it.
(Never take St John's Wort if you are pregnant or breast-feeding - it has not been established that it's safe in these circumstances).

�

Q. Where can I find out more
A. Visit the St John's Wort page/find a medical herbalist on the National Institute of Medical Herbalists website.

�

Do you have a question for Body & Soul Post it here

�

By Sheena Miller