St. John's Wort: Benefits, Uses and How to Prepare It
St. John’s Wort: Benefits, Uses and How to Prepare It IMPORTANT: St. John’s Wort is one of the most pharmacologically active medicinal plants, which is precisely why it interacts with a remarkably large number of medications. It significantly reduces the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, anticoagulants (warfarin), certain heart medications (digoxin), immunosuppressants (ciclosporin), some antiretrovirals, and many synthetic antidepressants. Combining it with antidepressants in the SSRI class can trigger a dangerous “serotonin syndrome.” The plant also increases the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitization). It should not be taken during pregnancy or breastfeeding without medical advice, and anyone on chronic medication must consult a doctor or pharmacist before using it. St. John’s Wort is not a substitute for the treatment of moderate or severe depression. ...