Treatments for Depression

St. John's Wort

Depression

Depression is a disorder that affects millions worldwide, leaving these individuals feeling a sense of hopelessness, pessimism, lowered self-esteem, and reduced energy levels. Depression is a chemical imbalance of Serotonin and Interleukin-6, the "feel good" hormones. Depression is a result of a low level of Serotonin or a high level of Interleukin-6. Common treatments for depression are Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, etc... Side effects of these can result in dry mouth, nausea, gastrointestinal disorders, drowsiness, and others. This led to the search for a more natural treatment, St. John's Wort.
History
St. John's Wort is a yellow flowering plant that has been used to relieve stress, insomnia, bed wetting, headaches, diarrhea, skin ulcers, ear infections, depression, as a blood purifier, and to treat many other ailments. The ancient Greeks used the powerful plant magic of St. John's Wort when performing rituals in order to honor their departed out of fear of what the spirit could do to the living. They believed that St. John's Wort could frighten off evil spirits, this is shown in their word for St. John's Wort, Fuga Daemonum, which mean "scare devil". The ancient Christians also believed that it would ward off evil spirits. They believed that the golden color of the flower represented the sun, and because evil spirits like darkness they stayed away. They would gather the flower on St. John's Day, June 24, and hang it over their doors. This is because they believed that the plant sprang forth from St. John's blood on the day he was beheaded.
Chemistry

Constituents Activity

Dianthrone derivatives photodynamic, anti-depressive, anti-viral

Flavanols astringent, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral

Flavanoids capillary-strengthening, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, arteries, sedative, tumor inhibition, antidiarrhea

Xanthones anti-depressant, choleretic, diuretic, anti-viral

Phloroglucinol derivatives anti-bacterial

Essential oil components anti-fungal: n-Alkanes, n-Alkanols

Constituents	Activity
Dianthrone derivatives	photodynamic, anti-depressive, anti-viral
Flavanols	astringent, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral
Flavanoids	capillary-strengthening, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, arteries, sedative, tumor inhibition, antidiarrhea
Xanthones	anti-depressant, choleretic, diuretic, anti-viral
Phloroglucinol derivatives	anti-bacterial
Essential oil components	anti-fungal: n-Alkanes, n-Alkanols

How it works
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Seratonin interact with the link between the central nervous system and the mood. An elevation in IL-6 can lead to an elevation in other adrenal regulatory hormones which are hallmark features in Depression. St. John's Wort can reduce IL-6 level, and raise level of Seratonin, thus reducing risk of Depression.

Used with other Drugs
When mixing Anti-depressants individuals can develop Seratonin Syndrome. Which can lead to confusion, fever, shivering, sweating, diarrhea, and muscle spasms. If St. John's Wort is used in conjunction with any of these anti-depressants it can lead to this syndrome. Patients using this combination should be closely monitored.

Evidence of Treatment
St. John's Wort is the leading anti-depressant in Germany, millions of them have taken it over the last decade without experiencing any diverse side-effects. In 1984 a team of scientists Muldner and Zoller conducted an experiment using St.John's Wort. The gave the treatment to 6 depressive women and found that there were improvements in each of these ladies depressive moods. Another experiment conducted by Linde and Malrow ,in Europe, concluded that 56% of the subjects that took St. John's Wort felt less depressed compared to the 25% that were given a placebo. These experiments were criticized in the United States however, the duration of these two experiments lasted only 4 weeks as compared to the normal 6 which the U.S. uses.

Known Side Effects
St. John's Wort can cause sensitivity to sun light, skin rash, fatigue, upset stomach, weight gain or loss, hypertension (rapid heartbeat), it can also interact with birth control pills and protease inhibitors (HIV and AIDS treatments).

Effective Potency
A standard dose of St. John's Wort contains 0.3% hypercin at 900 mg/day, this is what is required to treat depression. In America store bought brands contain much less than this requirement, they also contain cellulose and other binders which cannot pass through the blood brain barriers. Hence they are not very effective in treating Depression in comparison to the prescribed European version of St. John's Wort.

Conclusion
St. John's Wort is an effective treatment of Depression when taken in the right dosage. It has also been shown to have less side effects, including serious side effects, than the other anti-depressives out on the market. It still hasn't proven to live up to the testing standards in the United States though. Until it passes these standards St. John's Wort will remain an herb instead of a prescribed drug.