A Brief Introduction to St. John's Wort

St. John’s Wort is an aromatic perennial herb with an abundance of golden-yellow flowers. Tiny perforations filled with phytochemical-rich oils cover the aerial (above ground) portions of St. John’s Wort and yield an extract that give the plant its primary health benefits.

Current usage statistics indicate that millions of Americans supplement their daily diets with St. John’s Wort to promote a positive mood balance. In the United States and European Union, SJW is primarily used to provide positive support for:

Depressed mood and mild to moderate mood changes caused by everyday stress
Occasional nervousness, nervous tension, and anxiety

The medicinal components of St. John’s Wort, including Hypericin and Hyperforin, have been clinically shown to promote a healthy neurotransmitter balance, which can help to provide positive mood support following two to six weeks of continued use.

How St. John's Wort is Thought to Work

Contemporary research has identified a variety of medicinal compounds from the aerial (above ground) portions of the St. John's Wort plant. There are at least ten (10) phytochemical constituents which are thought to contribute to Natural Reuptake Inhibition, the primary mechanism of action of SJW, including:

Ad-hyperforin
Dianthrone
Hyperforin
Hypericin
Xanthones
Flavonoids

Modern extracts of St. John’s Wort are typically standardized to 0.3% Hypericins, since it is this compound which is thought to be more stable than its counterpart, Hyperforin. Recent scientific research indicates that Hyperforin Extract, whether it is standardized to 3.0%, 5.0% or 10.0%, is highly unstable. Upon chemical analysis, St. John’s Wort extracts containing Hyperforin derivatives indicated evidence of a rapid breakdown. Further study concluded that regardless of the particular standardization amount, Hyperforin extracts decreased to their naturally occurring level of 3.0%~4.0% concentration or less in all cases.

Pharmacological analysis illustrates that Hyperforin clearly exhibits a broad spectrum effect on the Serotonergic, Dopaminergic, Noradrenic and GABA-ergic systems, but its action on the brain’s 5-HIAA and 5-HT levels appears to be significantly different from the action of traditional 5-HT re-uptake blockers.

Until recently it was believed that Hyperforin was primarily responsible for the emotional health benefits of St. John’s Wort. However, further laboratory analysis has revealed that all chemical components of St. John’s Wort are required in order to maximize the effects of Natural Reuptake Inhibition in the Central Nervous System (CNS).

Research shows that Hypericin, Flavonoids and Adhyperforin, important constituents derived from St. John’s Wort, are also potent uptake inhibitors of Serotonin, Dopamine and Noradrenalin. Additionally, St. John’s Wort has been demonstrated to inhibit GABA and L-glutamate uptake. Together, these compounds are believed to promote a healthy neurotransmitter balance in the brain. This effect is thought to provide positive support for a depressed mood and mild to moderate mood changes caused by everyday stress, occasional nervousness, nervous tension and anxiety.

St. John's Wort Safety and Usage

St. Johns Wort maintains an excellent safety profile when it is used as directed. A 200mg-600mg dose taken for two to six weeks is recommended to promote a healthy neurotransmitter balance. In certain instances, individuals may increase their daily intake of St. John's Wort to up to 1200mg to relieve a depressed mood and mild to moderate mood changes caused by everyday stress as well as occasional nervousness, nervous tension and anxiety.

What are the potential side effects of St. Johns Wort?

Side effects are rare and have been documented as mild to moderate in clinical study. They may include headache, gastrointestinal discomfort, drowsiness, dizziness and sensitivity to UV light sources. In the event that you experience an adverse reaction, discontinue use of this herb. St. Johns Wort does not cause withdrawal or discontinuation effects.

Does St. Johns Wort adversely interact with prescription drugs?

Taking St. Johns Wort in combination with prescription medications such as benzodiazepines, SSRIs, or SNRIs may cause drowsiness. St. John's Wort is also believed to decrease the effectiveness of certain prescription drugs, including oral contraceptives and high blood pressure medications. If you are taking a prescription medication, it is recommended that you consult with your prescribing doctor before making any changes or additions to your current treatment plan.

What precautions should I take before beginning St. Johns Wort?

Consult with your healthcare provider before beginning a wellness plan that includes dietary supplements like SJW
Do not take SJW if you are pregnant or nursing
Do not take SJW if you are currently taking a prescription MAOI
Do not take SJW if you are currently taking a protease inhibitor for HIV / AIDS
Do not operate vehicles or heavy machinery until you know how SJW affects you

Is St. Johns Wort safe for children?

St. John's Wort is generally well-tolerated when used by children between the ages of seven and thirteen. Because each child is unique, St. John's Wort should be administered under the supervision of a professional healthcare provider.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is Clarocet?
Which Clarocet is right for me?
How do Clarocet products differ from other natural alternatives?
Can I take Clarocet with my other herbal supplements?

Related Destinations:

Everyone is unique. That's why we've formulated multiple products and designed them to work together. Which Clarocet is right for you? Find Clarocet products based on your primary wellness concerns.

Have other people had success using Clarocet products? You bet they have! Browse through Clarocet success stories online or listen to real people, with real experiences share their Clarocet success stories with you.

Visit the Clarocet Online Store to learn more about package types, shipping options and the latest discount specials.

Do you have questions? We have answers. Contact a Medicor Labs Customer Agent who can help, today.