Specials |
NOW
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NOW
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Natural Factors
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Product Information | ||
| Serving Size 3 | ||
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| Amount per serving size | ||
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| Calories 30 | ||
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| ALCOHOL FREE CONCENTRATED EXTRACT(S) OF | ||
St. John's Wort Flower Buds (Hypericum perforatum) | 540 mg.† | |
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| STANDARDIZED TO FULL SPECTRUM ACTIVITY PROFILE PER DOSE | ||
0.5% Hypericins | 2.7 mg.† | |
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| †Each 3 contain 3600 mg crude herb equivalent. | ||
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| †Daily value not established | ||
| Other ingredients: Vegetable Glycerin, Vegetable cellulose (capsule) |
= Certified Organic Ingredient
= Gaia Herbs Farm Grown
HISTORY
St. John's wort is a perennial herb with bright yellow flowers. It can be found growing wild in many parts of the world. This precious herb has an extensive history of use. In the 1st century AD, Dioscorides utilized St. John's Wort to heal and soothe the skin and to manage body temperature. During the 19th and 20th centuries Eclectic physicians used the aerial parts of the herb to support nervous system health.
NUMEROUS CLINICAL TRIALS
St. John's Wort is an established prescription in Europe. Numerous clinical trials have confirmed its efficacy. Several placebo-controlled studies were conducted in the early 1990's. In a multi-center, double-blind study, 72 patients were randomized into two treatment groups. One group received 300mg St. John's Wort three times a day, and the other group received a placebo. Significant improvement was seen in 80% of patients after 4 weeks of study. Another multi-center, double-blind trial with 105 subjects evaluated St. John's Wort. Subjects received either St. John's Wort or placebo. At the end of the four-week study period substantial improvements were seen in the St. John's Wort group. There were no notable side effects. A meta-analysis of 23 randomized clinical trials including a total of 1757 subjects was conducted in 1996. After reviewing the trials the authors concluded that St. John's Wort was significantly more effective than placebo.
MECHANISM OF ACTION
The mechanism of action of St. John's Wort is unknown. As with most botanicals its effects are probably the combination of differing modes of action. Early research suggested that St. John's Wort was a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor. However, later research showed that no relevant MAO inhibition could be shown. The researchers concluded that the effects could not be explained in terms of MAO inhibition alone. Possible mechanisms include inhibition of synaptic uptake of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, L-glutamine and GABA uptake inhibition, and serotonin uptake inhibition by elevating free intracellular sodium.
Note: The intention of this information is to represent the traditional use of the herb and to inform the reader of any evolving inquiry relevant to the herb.
COMPLEMENTARY HERBS/FORMULAS
Phyto-Proz Supreme, Kava Kava root .
SAFETY EVALUATIONS/CONTRAINDICATIONS
Do not use during pregnancy or lactation.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Consult a physician if taking any pharmaceutical drugs. St. John's Wort appears to be an inducer of the metabolic pathway cytochrome P450. Therefore it should be used with caution in any drug that is metabolized via the cytochrome P450 pathway. This includes protease inhibitors for HIV (indinavir, amprenivir), transplant rejection (cyclosporine, rapamycin), heart disease (digoxin), seizure (phenobarbitol) medication, and other pharmaceuticals. However, it is important to note that certain foods such as grapefruit inhibit the cytochrome P450 pathway. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage are P450 inducers.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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