Nature's Life St. John's Wort Products:
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The bright
yellow, star-shaped flowers and blood-red oil of St. John's Wort have
inspired many healers through the centuries. Initially thought to stave
off evil spirits, this ancient herb was used topically to soothe burns,
cuts and remedy snake bites. Today, the subject of numerous clinical
studies as a positive mood enhancer, St. John's Wort has been found to
be effective without causing significant side effects. *1 History & Traditional
Use
Native to
Europe, Asia and Africa, St. John's Wort has a rich history. Its Latin
name, Hypericum perforatum, comes from the Greek and means "over an
apparition," a reference to the ancient belief that St. John's Wort
had the power to exorcize evil spirits. The Romans and Greeks believed
the herb had magical powers. As late as the early 1500s, Paracelsus, an
alchemist and physician, wrote that St. John's Wort could be used as
protection against enchantments and apparitions. Many legends surround the origin of its common name, most of which are rooted in Christianity. Since the leaves and flowers of St. John's Wort contain special glands that release a red oil when pinched or cut, early Christians named the plant in honor of John the Baptist. They believed it secreted its blood-red oil on August 29, the anniversary of the saint's beheading. Others were convinced that the best day to pick the plant was June 24, St. John's feast day. The term "wort" is Old English for plant. Also in
the Christian tradition, John the Baptist represents light, and St.
John's Wort's deep yellow flowers were thought to be a reminder of the
sun's abundance. The first
London Pharmacopoeia in 1618 advised chopping St. John's Wort flowers,
immersing them in oil and placing the mixture in the sun for three
weeks. The resulting tincture was a standard herbal medicine for several
hundred years -- even during the U.S. Civil War. Colonists
who began to settle what was to become the United States, brought St.
John's Wort with them. They soon discovered, however, that Native
Americans were already using several indigenous species of the plant as
a snake bite remedy and general strengthener. In the
United States, St. John's Wort is plentiful in northern California and
southern Oregon. Since it spreads rapidly, one of its common names is
"Klammath Weed." Benefcial Properties
Nature's
Life St. John's Wort standardized extract (300 mg capsules with 0.3%
hypericins) taken three times daily, assists the body by:
Although
not well known in the United States until recently, researchers in
Europe have been studying St. John's Wort for decades. It has been
extensively researched in Germany and the former Soviet Union. St.
John's Wort has a complex and diverse chemical makeup. Studies show the
herb contains at least 10 constituents or groups of components that may
contribute to its benefits.*7 Scientists have focused on the
phytonutrient pigments hypericin and pseudohypericin found in the herb's
leaves and flowers,
the components responsible for St. John's Wort's primary benefits.8 Other active components include other flavonoids such as
hyperosides, essential Serotonin Suporter
Proper
brain function depends on natural chemicals called neurotransmitters
which relay signals to the brain. A deficiency of serotonin, a neuro- transmitter
that has a calming effect and is an important initiator of sleep,
results in sleep disorders such as the inability to easily fall or stay
asleep. Preliminary research indicates that the action of standardized
St. John's Wort extract (particularly the flavonoid component) may
maintain serotonin levels in the body.*2,10 Mood Balancer
In a study
of mood-affected people, one group was given standardized St. John's
Wort (3 x 300 mg with 0.3% hypericins) extract, and another a placebo.
Significant mood improvement was found in the St. John's Wort extract
group and no notable side effects were observed.3 Another
study involved 39 people with negative moods who were given 300 mg (0.3%
hypericins) of St. John's Wort three times a day. The moods of 70
percent of the people taking St. John's Wort extract improved after four
weeks, and in no case were any undesirable side effects observed.
Related symptoms of negative moods such as lack of activity, tiredness,
fatigue and disturbed sleep were especially alleviated.*13 A study of 12
older, healthy people showed that 300 mg of St. John’s Wort extract
(0.3% hypericins), three times daily, resulted in an increase of deep
sleep.*6 Another study of 24 people showed that hypericum extract also
improved cognitive function.*5
Side Effects
Depressed
moods are frequently treated with SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitor) drugs, such as fluoxatine (Prozac®) or imipramine. These
drugs, however, introduce the possibility of side effects such as
sleepiness, nervousness, allergic reaction, nausea, dry mouth, weight
gain and anxiety.2,11 While
a standardized St. John's Wort extract may not give the fastest results
for everybody, the long-term result can be very effective,*2 with only a
small percentage of people experiencing minor side effects. Two
studies that compared a standardized St. John's Wort extract (at 300 mg
three times daily with 0.3% hypericins) to an antidepressant drug found
that the St. John's Wort extract group had fewer and milder side effects
than the drug group.12 Safety Precautions &
Contraindications
St. John's
Wort standardized extract (0.3% hypericins) has been found to be
virtually free of side effects at the standard dosage of 300 mg three
times daily.*3,12,13 Larger
doses of St. John's Wort standardized extract (600 mg three times daily
for 15 days) have been known to cause photosensitivity (skin irritation
after sun exposure) in some fair-skinned people.10 Hypericin and
pseudohypericin are naturally-occurring pigments that absorb visable
light and are highly fluorescent when exposed to UV light.10
At these high dose levels, it is advisable to avoid excessive sun
and other sources of ultraviolet light such as tanning booths. Minor side
effects at the standard dose affect a small percentage of people. These
include gastrointestinal irritations (0.6%), allergic reactions (0.5%),
tiredness (0.4%) and restlessness (0.3%).15
Tyramine-containing foods including cheese, pickled fish, yeast,
beer and wine should also be considered for avoidance.2,10 St. John's Wort standardized extract should not be used at
the same time as prescription antidepressants such as MAO inhibitors,
and St. John's Wort is not recommended during pregnancy or
lactation.2,10 Nature’s Life
Standardized St. John’s Wort
Nature's
Life uses only the leaves and flowers of the St. John's Wort plant - the
parts that have been used in a wide variety of experimental and clinical
studies - to make our high quality extract. Absorption Dosage
Nature's
Life St. John's Wort extract is standardized to 0.3% hypericins. Each
capsule provides 300 mg of St. John's Wort extract. Normal suggested
dosage is 300 mg two (2) to three (3) times per day, with food. Nature's
Life standardized St. John's Wort extract, taken at the suggested
dosage, acts as a positive mood enhancer and helps maintain serotonin
levels. Cognitive performance, restful sleep and a healthy immune
function are all supported with Nature’s Life St. John's Wort extract. References:
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