A natural antidepressant is often preferred by patients diagnosed with depression, because of the fewer side effects that can be expected when taking natural alternatives for depression instead of pharmaceutical drugs. St. John’s Wort is one of these remedies, and its reputation in treating depression is on the rise, especially since several scientific studies showed its efficiency in alleviating the unpleasant symptoms of this psychological condition. St. John’s Wort depression treatments are often prescribed, especially in Western European countries, where the plant enjoys quite a large popularity and a good reputation. However, one should not ignore that even the best remedies can lead to unwanted results; St. John’s Wort side effects do exist, and they should be taken into consideration.
St Johns Wort
Interaction with various medications
Pregnant women are advised against using St. John’s Wort from the get go, since herbal supplements for depression can interact with pregnancy in unexpected ways. For them, a St. John’s Wort depression treatment may not be the right manner of dealing with depression, and other methods should be identified. Among St. John’s Wort side effects that must be mentioned, the interaction of this plant with other medications is very important. It has been discovered that it is not recommended to take this natural treatments for depression in the same time with birth control pills, as it can lower their efficiency. Also, heart disease medication seems to interact with St. John’s Wort, and they may lose their normal efficiency if they are used together.
Common St. John’s Wort side effects
Although a lot of people do not experience any kind of side effects when using St. John’s Wort alternative medicine depression, there are some unexpected effects that must be taken into consideration in some cases. For instance, the natural antidepressant can increase sensitivity to light. People that are already sensitive to sunlight can even experience sunburn, just because they took St. John’s Wort for depression. Long term administration can also lead to unpleasant St. John’s Wort side effects; agitation or unusual drowsiness can be experienced at times by those that take this herbal remedy for more than six month. A person with a sensitive stomach may also experience episodes of vomiting and diarrhea. In case that such symptoms are noticed, it is highly recommended to interrupt the St. John’s Wort depression treatment right away, and seek medical advice. St. John’s Wort is a reliable herbal remedy for depression, but it should not be used at all costs, especially if the plant triggers some allergic reactions, or any of the aforementioned side effects.
Bottom line
St. John’s Wort can be successfully used in treating depression, but, as any other natural antidepressant, it has its fair share of downsides. For instance, some side effects can be experienced, and interactions with other medications can occur. Since this plant is still under research in regards to depression and other ailments, it is highly recommended to establish together with your doctor if it is wise to use St. John’s Wort or not.
