What’s New?
St. John’s Wort has been used for decades in order to heal the depressed. Most of the time this plant has been given to patients as a form of folk medicine, but researchers have recently begun to turn serious attention towards this plant as a means for helping the depressed.
Klaus Linde (and his team) at the Centre for Complementary Medicine in Munich, Germany, has found that St. John’s Wort really does help to alleviate depression in some patients. The study took into account 5,489 patients that suffered from severe depression.
These patients were given St. John’s Wort along with other remedies in order to compare the outcomes. The result was that those taking St. John’s Wort found that their symptoms were diminished. Additionally, there seemed to be very few side effects.
The study can be read in Science Daily’s October 7 issue (“St. John’s Wort Relieves Symptoms of Major Depression”). Though the findings are, indeed, promising, researchers are still cautious when it comes to suggesting St. John’s Wort as a cure for depression.
When it comes to taking various scientific studies to heart, consumers must remember that all clinical trials are conducted in a controlled atmosphere. Thus, the amount of St. John’s Wort that was given to participants in this study was also controlled.
Supplements that can be found on the market are not controlled in the same manner. For instance, one bottle of St. John’s Wort may have a much higher potency than another bottle. Additionally, self medicating using herbal supplements may conflict with medications that a person is already taking.
If you want to explore the use of this plant further, consult with your doctor. Most doctors will not turn down the notion of using alternative medicines, though they will tell you how much of a substance is safe for you to consume.
This study is promising given the number of sufferers from around the world. Thanks to studies such as the one mentioned above, various alternative treatments, such as herbal remedies for depression and other methods are now being carefully considered as ways to treat numerous illnesses.
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