St. John's Wort
Background: The reddish substance in the plant's flowers contains hypericin, which is the main active component.
Medicinal Claims: In many small, mostly short-term, moderately well-designed studies, St. John's wort relieved symptoms in people with mild to moderate depression. However, in a recent large, well-designed study, St. John's wort was found to be ineffective in treating major depression.
St. John's wort has been used in the treatment of HIV infection and vitiligo, but its effectiveness in treating these disorders is unproved.
Possible Side Effects: When used as directed, St. John's wort does not seem to have the side effects or interactions with foods containing tyramine that can occur with other monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs (see Section 7, Chapter 101)). It can make the skin very sensitive to sunlight (photosensitive). Pregnant women should not take this supplement because it increases muscle tone in the uterus and thus may increase the risk of a miscarriage. St. John's wort may interact with oral contraceptives; protease inhibitors (such as indinavir and ritonavir), which are used to treat HIV infection; MAOIs and other antidepressants; the immunosuppressant cyclosporine; digoxin; iron supplements; and the anticoagulant warfarin.
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