What is depression?
Depression is a disease known since ancient times, so its name comes from the Latin language, from the Latin word deprimere, which means to suppress, press or dent. In depression, the mood is suppressed and it is precisely this pathologically lowered mood that is the basic feature of this condition. Mood swings in depression can occur for no apparent reason or in apparent dissonance with a potential cause. In general, depressive disorder is characterized by episodes of depressed mood that can be repeated throughout life, so we speak of recurrent depressive disorder.
What is St. John’s wort?
Depression is a very common disease, and that is why it is important to recognize and know how to fight it. The basic characteristics of this disease are bad, listless mood, grief and hopelessness, loss of sense of satisfaction, loss of strength and energy and occurrence of feelings of indefinite fear (anxiety). There is also a feeling of guilt, loss of will to live, suicidal thoughts and sometimes, unfortunatelly, attempts. Along with this comes in low concentration and loss of sleep and appetite. Depression is not a temporary feeling of bad mood, it is a disease that significantly disrupts everyday life. It is not a sign of moral weakness, but a consequence of a disturbed balance of chemical substances in the brain, where heredity, stress and lifestyle play an important role. Depression is one of the most common mental disorders today. The number of people with a depressive disorder has been growing continuously since the beginning of the last century in all industrialized countries of the world. Epidemiological research shows that 3-4% of the population suffers from severe, while 1.5 to 2% from milder forms of depression. Women get sick more often than men in a ratio of 2:1. Depression most often occurs in the 40s, although in 50% of cases the disease appears earlier. There is an increased risk of developing a depressive disorder with a family history of alcoholism, depression and the loss of a parent before the age of 11. Today, we consider depression to be a biopsychosocial disorder. It cannot occur if a person does not have a greater or lesser innate predisposition to the occurrence of depression. If this predestination (predisposition) is very strong, then there is a great possibility that depression will occur without any external cause. On the contrary, in the case of a weak predisposition, many unfavorable and stressful events will have to occur for depression to appear.
St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a natural fighter used against depression, but also insomnia and anxiety. It is a widespread plant species that grows on different soils (meadows, thickets, roadsides…). The name of the genus Hypericum comes from the Greek words hyper, which means “above,” and eikon, which means “picture,” and refers to the tradition of hanging these blooms above icons. What is the origin of the common name St. John’s wort? These mystical plants were burned during Midsummer Eve bonfires to ward off evil spirits during medieval times; the fact that the blossoms looked like little suns and flowered at the time of the summer solstice was deemed extraordinary. The Christian calendar selected June 24, Midsummer, as St. John the Baptist’s feast day, resulting in the association between this long-revered plant and the saint. Wort is a term used to describe plants, particularly ones that were previously used to treat ailments. The genus Hypericum contains roughly 490 species with a practically global distribution. The leaves and flowers of Hypericum perforatum, a Eurasian species named for the translucent spots of glandular tissue that look like perforations on the leaves, are the source of the St. John’s wort herbal medicine for mood problems.
St. John’s wort in ancient times
According to legend, whoever steps on the St John’s wort after dusk will be lifted onto the back of a magical horse that will charge through the sky until sunrise, when the magical horse will return its exhausted rider to the ground. In addition to its attributed magical properties, St. John’s worth was universally known throughout the world as a medicine called “God’s Grace” because of its medicinal properties. In England, St. John’s wort was used to treat mania, in Russia it protected against hydrophobia, and the Brazilians knew it as an antidote for snake bites. St. John’s wort was used for summoning spirits and exorcisms and was believed to be strong enough to ward off evil spirits.
The multiple beneficial effects of St. John’s wort have been known since ancient times. This perennial plant is native to many parts of Europe and North America, where it has been used by various people for centuries for its ability to alleviate depression, anxiety and sleep difficulties. The use of St. John’s wort dates back to the time of the ancient Greeks. Hippocrates recorded in his writings the justified medicinal use of St. John’s wort. It is used in folk medicine, but official medicine also attaches importance to it.
Use of St. John’s wort today
Various studies have proven the pharmacological effects of St. John’s wort. St. John’s wort has long been known as a medicinal plant from which both tea and St. John’s wort oil is prepared. St. John’s wort oil most often refers to St. John’s wort macerate, which works extremely well on skin damage, therefore it is used in the treatment of stretch marks, scars, wrinkles, dry and sun-damaged skin. It soothes irritations and inflammations and it is an indispensable ingredient in preparations for the treatment of nerve and muscle inflammation, rheumatism, inflamed veins and hemorrhoids. St. John’s wort tea helps with mental problems, irregular menstruation, while the oil helps with the healing of wounds and cuts, bone pain and sunburn. These preparations are suitable for all skin types because it has an anti-inflammatory and regenerating effect. St. John’s wort strengthens the bladder, reduces cramps during menstruation and alleviates the complaints of women in menopause.
In addition to improving mood, St. John’s wort reduces feelings of exhaustion, fatigue and lethargy. It also helps with unfounded fears and sleep disorders. It is believed that St. John’s wort tea removes worries and dark thoughts. Today’s science has confirmed this by presenting St. John’s wort as one of the important antidepressants. Scientific research has proven that it enhances concentration, relieves exhaustion and fatigue, has a beneficial effect on migraines and headaches, and is useful in relieving menopause symptoms. Insomnia and depression are closely related, so most people suffering from depression cite insomnia as one of the symptoms of their condition. Taking St. John’s wort can bring benefits to depressed people and at the same time help overcome the symptoms of insomnia.
Considering that St. John’s wort is an excellent plant-based antidepressant that, as stated above, improves mood and reduces the feeling of exhaustion, fatigue and lethargy etc., its use is especially recommended in the winter months, when there is a lack of light causes many depressive states.
St. John’s wort is currently being marketed as a treatment for depression, menopausal symptoms, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), somatic symptom disorder (a condition in which a person experiences severe, exaggerated concern over physical symptoms), obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other disorders. St. John’s wort topical application (applied to the skin) is promoted for a variety of skin ailments, including wounds, bruises, and muscle soreness.
Active substances and mechanism of action of St. John’s wort
Among the active substances found in the plant, the most significant are: hypericin, pseudohypericin, flavonoids (rutin, hyperoside, quercetin). Hypericin has a photosensitizing effect.
The mechanism of action has not yet been explained, but most studies indicate that several components of this plant may play an important role in both fields. The most important among them are the active ingredients hypericin and hyperforin, which act as antidepressants and anxiolytics. Hypericin, as far as is known, can stimulate the creation of melatonin and serotonin, hormones associated with sleep regulation, i.e. mood, while hyperforin can enable the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, so the so-called hormones of happiness, longer activity and circulation in the body. The result of such action, similar to the action of antidepressant drugs, can be calmness and good mood. St. John’s wort can also stimulate GABA receptors, which are the key gateways for sleep-inducing chemicals to enter the brain. For internal use, St John’s wort can be taken in the form of tea, tinctures, tablets or capsules.
Tea preparation
Herbs for depression, although boiling water is used to prepare St. John’s wort tea, it will not destroy the healing properties of the plant. Moreover, it will strengthen them and enable proper absorption in the body. To prepare St. John’s wort tea, hot water is poured over about a spoonful of finely chopped dried St. John’s wort. Leave it like this for about half an hour, minimum 15 minutes. If you want to achieve a stronger effect, leave St. John’s wort in hot water for up to two hours. St. John’s wort tea is drunk three times a day for most ailments. When it comes to anemia, depression or other long-term illnesses, you can drink about a liter of tea a day for a long period of time. Apparently, it is hypericin and hyperforin, along with some flavonoids, that play the most important role in the antidepressant effect of St. John’s wort. A large number of clinical studies confirm the usefulness of St. John’s wort in the treatment of depression. However, most often it was about standardized extracts of known composition, and not about teas, where the content can vary considerably. In any case, the antidepressant effect of St. John’s wort has been most strongly demonstrated in clinical studies in relation to other effects of the plant.
When talking about St. John’s wort tea, it should be emphasized that the tea as such is prepared by pouring boiling water over the herbal drug. So, we are talking about infusion, and the question we are asked is what we get by making tea. Namely, in tea as an aqueous solution we can get those chemical components of herbal drugs that are soluble in boiling water. Thus, in St. John’s wort tea, we expect a greater amount of compounds that are soluble in water. Hypericin and hyperforin are lipophilic and hardly soluble in water, and the question of their presence in tea arises. Analysis in one study proved that both compounds are found in tea despite their chemical properties. Likewise, for an unknown reason, the content of hypericin is higher compared to hyperforin. Most likely, due to the amount and temperature of the water, a part of the mentioned compounds manages to dissolve, and in this way we ensure a rich composition, including the effect of St. John’s wort tea. So, although most of the research on the effects of St. John’s wort has been carried out on standardized extracts, due to these facts we can rightly expect certain effects when it comes to tea.
Dosage and side effects
If taken in capsules or tablets, the usual dose of St. John’s wort for adults is 300 milligrams three times a day, with meals. Its use in children has not been sufficiently studied, so it is best that children do not take it. St. John’s wort is generally well tolerated and produces good results, if taken according to recommendations. However, it can cause side effects such as dry mouth, hypersensitivity to sunlight or digestive problems. If a person is taking antidepressants, great caution is needed, because St. John’s wort interacts with these drugs, especially with those from the MAOI group (non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors) and with all drugs and supplements that increase serotonin levels. Excessive levels of serotonin can lead to serotonin syndrome, a condition whose symptoms are agitation, rapid pulse and high blood pressure, loss of coordination, profuse sweating, diarrhea, in severe cases, elevated temperature, irregular heartbeat, seizures and fainting, and in the most severe cases, death is possible outcome. In addition, the prescribed medicine must not be replaced by St. John’s wort on its own. Also, due to possible indications with other medications, St. John’s wort is not recommended for people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, bipolar disorder, ADHD, schizophrenia, and people who are about to undergo surgery. Also, St. John’s wort tea is not recommended during pregnancy, as well as during breastfeeding. Pregnant and lactating women should also avoid other oral preparations of the plant. The reason for this is insufficient research into the effects in women during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding.
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