St Johns Wort, 300 mg

St. John’s Wort Extract

. . . helps enhance positive moods and support serotonin levels in the brain*

Features & Benefits

• Acts as a positive mood enhancer without serious side effects*3

• Supports serotonin levels by mildly inhibiting the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO)*2

Facts About St. John’s Wort

St. John’s Wort has been used in herbal healing for more than 2,000 years. Today, its flowers and leaves are the subjects of numerous clinical studies, and have been found to be effective without side effects.*1 Studies show that St. John’s Wort contains at least 10 constituents or groups of components that may contribute to its benefits.*4 Scientists have focused on the phytonutrients hypericin and pseudohypericin found in the standardized extract of the herb’s leaves and flowers, the active compounds responsible for St. John’s Wort’s primary benefits.*5 Other active components include flavonoids, essential oils and carotenoids.6

Proper brain function depends on chemicals called neurotransmitters which transmit signals to the brain and are made from certain nutrients. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has a calming effect and is an important initiator of sleep. A deficiency of serotonin results in sleep disorders such as the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep. The enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO) breaks down serotonin. St. John’s Wort extract mildly inhibits this enzyme thereby helping to safeguard serotonin levels in the brain.*2

While antidepressant drugs are successful in alleviating depression, they are also associated with many side effects such as increased nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, allergic reactions and nausea.7 One study that compared St. John’s Wort extract to an antidepressant drug found that the St. John’s Wort group had fewer and milder side effects than the drug group.*8 In another study of mood-affected people, one group was treated with St. John’s Wort extract and the other with a placebo. Significant improvement was found in the St. John’s Wort group, and no serious side effects were observed.*3 A third study involved 39 people with negative moods who were given 300 mg of St. John’s Wort extract three times a day. The moods of 70 percent of the patients treated with St. John’s Wort improved after four weeks, and in no case were any undesirable side effects observed. Typical symptoms of negative moods such as lack of activity, tiredness, fatigue and disturbed sleep, were especially responsive.*

Ingredient Highlights

Nature’s Life uses only the leaves and flowers of the St. John’s Wort plant — the parts that have been used in a wide variety of experimental and clinical studies. The herb is ecologically harvested and prepared to a standardized potency of 0.3% hypericins. Each 300 mg capsule delivers consistent results.*

Safety Precautions

St. John’s Wort extract has been found to be virtually free of side effects at the standard dosage.*7, 3, 9 Larger doses of St. John’s Wort have been known to cause photosensitivity (skin irritation after sun exposure) in some fair-skinned people. In these cases, it is advisable to avoid excessive sun and other sources of ultraviolet light such as tanning booths. Tyramine-containing foods including cheese, pickled fish, yeast, beer and wine should also be avoided. St. John’s Wort should not be used at the same time as prescription antidepressants such as MAO inhibitors, and St. John’s Wort is not recommended during pregnancy or lactation.

References

1. “St. John’s Wort for Depression.” British Medical Journal, (1996 Aug) No. 7052, Vol. 313

2. Reichert RG. “St. John’s Wort for Depression.” Quart Rev Nat Med, (1994 Spring) 17-18

3. Hansgen KD et al. “Multicenter double-blind study examining the antidepressant effectiveness of the hypericum extract LI 160.” J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol, (1994 Oct) 7 Suppl 1:S15-8

4. Wagner H and S Bladt. “Pharmaceutical quality of hypericum extracts.” J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol, (1994 Oct) 7 Suppl 1:S65-8

5. Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Ab Arcanum, Gothenberg, Sweden, 1988, 295-7

6. Okpanyi SN et al. “Genotoxicity of a standardized hypericum extract.” Arzneimittelforschung, (1990 Aug) 40(8):851-5

7. “St. John’s Wort vs. Tricyclic Antidepressants.” American Journal of Natural Medicine, (1995 April) Vol. 2, No. 3

8. Vorbach EU et al. “Effectiveness and tolerance of the hypericum extract LI 160 in comparison with imipramine.” J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol, (1994 Oct) 7 Suppl 1:S19-23

9. Hubner WD et al. “Hypericum treatment of mild depression with somatic symptoms.” J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol, (1994 Oct) 7 Suppl 1:S12-4

The bright yellow, star-shaped flowers and blood-red oil of St. John's Wort have inspired many healers through the centuries. Initially thought to stave off evil spirits, this ancient herb was used topically to soothe burns, cuts and remedy snake bites. Today, the subject of numerous clinical studies as a positive mood enhancer, St. John's Wort has been found to be effective without causing significant side effects. *1

History & Traditional Use

Native to Europe, Asia and Africa, St. John's Wort has a rich history. Its Latin name, Hypericum perforatum, comes from the Greek and means "over an apparition," a reference to the ancient belief that St. John's Wort had the power to exorcize evil spirits. The Romans and Greeks believed the herb had magical powers. As late as the early 1500s, Paracelsus, an alchemist and physician, wrote that St. John's Wort could be used as protection against enchantments and apparitions.

Many legends surround the origin of its common name, most of which are rooted in Christianity. Since the leaves and flowers of St. John's Wort contain special glands that release a red oil when pinched or cut, early Christians named the plant in honor of John the Baptist. They believed it secreted its blood-red oil on August 29, the anniversary of the saint's beheading. Others were convinced that the best day to pick the plant was June 24, St. John's feast day. The term "wort" is Old English for plant.

Also in the Christian tradition, John the Baptist represents light, and St. John's Wort's deep yellow flowers were thought to be a reminder of the sun's abundance.

The first London Pharmacopoeia in 1618 advised chopping St. John's Wort flowers, immersing them in oil and placing the mixture in the sun for three weeks. The resulting tincture was a standard herbal medicine for several hundred years -- even during the U.S. Civil War.

Colonists who began to settle what was to become the United States, brought St. John's Wort with them. They soon discovered, however, that Native Americans were already using several indigenous species of the plant as a snake bite remedy and general strengthener.

In the United States, St. John's Wort is plentiful in northern California and southern Oregon. Since it spreads rapidly, one of its common names is "Klammath Weed."

Benefcial Properties

Nature's Life St. John's Wort standardized extract (300 mg capsules with 0.3% hypericins) taken three times daily, assists the body by:

• Acting as a positive mood enhancer without notable or widespread side effects*3

• Supporting natural hormone levels of serotonin and norepinephrine by mildly inhibiting the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO)*2

• Providing deeper, more restful sleep*6

• Supporting the immune function by suppressing the release of interleukin-6, a protein that controls certain aspects of the immune response*4

• Improving cognitive function*5

Although not well known in the United States until recently, researchers in Europe have been studying St. John's Wort for decades. It has been extensively researched in Germany and the former Soviet Union. St. John's Wort has a complex and diverse chemical makeup. Studies show the herb contains at least 10 constituents or groups of components that may contribute to its benefits.*7 Scientists have focused on the phytonutrient pigments hypericin and pseudohypericin found in the herb's leaves and

flowers, the components responsible for St. John's Wort's primary benefits.8 Other active components include other flavonoids such as hyperosides, essential oils and carotenoids.9

Serotonin Suporter

Proper brain function depends on natural chemicals called neurotransmitters which relay signals to the brain. A deficiency of serotonin, a neuro-

transmitter that has a calming effect and is an important initiator of sleep, results in sleep disorders such as the inability to easily fall or stay asleep. Preliminary research indicates that the action of standardized St. John's Wort extract (particularly the flavonoid component) may maintain serotonin levels in the body.*2,10

Mood Balancer

In a study of mood-affected people, one group was given standardized St. John's Wort (3 x 300 mg with 0.3% hypericins) extract, and another a placebo. Significant mood improvement was found in the St. John's Wort extract group and no notable side effects were observed.3

Another study involved 39 people with negative moods who were given 300 mg (0.3% hypericins) of St. John's Wort three times a day. The moods of 70 percent of the people taking St. John's Wort extract improved after four weeks, and in no case were any undesirable side effects observed. Related symptoms of negative moods such as lack of activity, tiredness, fatigue and disturbed sleep were especially alleviated.*13 A study of 12 older, healthy people showed that 300 mg of St. John’s Wort extract (0.3% hypericins), three times daily, resulted in an increase of deep sleep.*6 Another study of 24 people showed that hypericum extract also improved cognitive function.*5

Side Effects

Depressed moods are frequently treated with SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) drugs, such as fluoxatine (Prozac®) or imipramine. These drugs, however, introduce the possibility of side effects such as sleepiness, nervousness, allergic reaction, nausea, dry mouth, weight gain and anxiety.2,11 While a standardized St. John's Wort extract may not give the fastest results for everybody, the long-term result can be very effective,*2 with only a small percentage of people experiencing minor side effects.

Two studies that compared a standardized St. John's Wort extract (at 300 mg three times daily with 0.3% hypericins) to an antidepressant drug found that the St. John's Wort extract group had fewer and milder side effects than the drug group.12

Safety Precautions & Contraindications

St. John's Wort standardized extract (0.3% hypericins) has been found to be virtually free of side effects at the standard dosage of 300 mg three times daily.*3,12,13 Larger doses of St. John's Wort standardized extract (600 mg three times daily for 15 days) have been known to cause photosensitivity (skin irritation after sun exposure) in some fair-skinned people.10 Hypericin and pseudohypericin are naturally-occurring pigments that absorb visable light and are highly fluorescent when exposed to UV light.10 At these high dose levels, it is advisable to avoid excessive sun and other sources of ultraviolet light such as tanning booths.

Minor side effects at the standard dose affect a small percentage of people. These include gastrointestinal irritations (0.6%), allergic reactions (0.5%), tiredness (0.4%) and restlessness (0.3%).15 Tyramine-containing foods including cheese, pickled fish, yeast, beer and wine should also be considered for avoidance.2,10 St. John's Wort standardized extract should not be used at the same time as prescription antidepressants such as MAO inhibitors, and St. John's Wort is not recommended during pregnancy or lactation.2,10

Nature’s Life Standardized St. John’s Wort

Nature's Life uses only the leaves and flowers of the St. John's Wort plant - the parts that have been used in a wide variety of experimental and clinical studies - to make our high quality extract. Absorption appears to be good, as shown in one study, where a "steady-state" was achieved after four days of 300 mg (0.3% hypericins), three times a day. Initial absorption took place in 2-2.6 hours.14 The herb is ecologically harvested and prepared to a standardized potency of 0.3% hypericins with every 300 mg capsule, delivering 0.9 mg hypericins for consistent results.

Dosage

Nature's Life St. John's Wort extract is standardized to 0.3% hypericins. Each capsule provides 300 mg of St. John's Wort extract. Normal suggested dosage is 300 mg two (2) to three (3) times per day, with food.

Nature's Life standardized St. John's Wort extract, taken at the suggested dosage, acts as a positive mood enhancer and helps maintain serotonin levels. Cognitive performance, restful sleep and a healthy immune function are all supported with Nature’s Life St. John's Wort extract.

References:

1. "St. John's Wort for Depression." British Medical Journal (1996 Aug) No. 7052, Vol. 313.

2. Reichert RG. "St. John's Wort for Depression." Quart Rev Nat Med (1994 Spring) 17-18.

3. Hansgen KD et al. "Multi center double-blind study examining the antidepressant effectiveness of the hypericum extract LI 160." J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol (1994 Oct) 7 Suppl 1:S15-8.

4. Thiele B et al. "Modulation of cytokine expression by hypericum extract." J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol (1994 Oct) 7 Suppl 1:S60- 2.

5. Johnson D et al. "Effects of hypericum extract LI 160 compared with maprotiline on resting EEG and evoked potentials in 24 volunteers." J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol (1994 Oct) 7 Suppl 1:S44-6.

6. Schultz H et al. "Effects of hypericum extract on the sleep EEG in older volunteers." J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol (1994 Oct) 7 Suppl 1:S39-43.

7. Wagner H and S Bladt. "Pharmaceutical quality of hypericum extracts." J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol (1994 Oct) 7 Suppl 1:S65-8.

8. Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Ab Arcanum, Gothenberg, Sweden, 1988, 295-7.

9. Okpanyi SN et al. "Genotoxicity of a standardized hypericum extract" Arzneimittelforschung (1990 Aug) 40(8):851-5.

10. St. John's Wort Monograph, American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Herbalgram, July 1997.

11. "St. John's Wort vs. Tricyclic Antidepressants." Am J of Nat Med (1995 April) Vol. 2, No. 3.

12. Vorbach EU et al. "Effectiveness and tolerance of the hypericum extract LI 160 in comparison with imipramine." J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol (1994 Oct) 7 Suppl 1:S19-23.

13. Hubner WD et al. "Hypericum treatment of mild depression with somatic symptoms." J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol (1994 Oct) 7 Suppl 1:S12-4.

14. Staffeldt B et al. "Pharmacokenetics of hypericin and pseudohypericin after oral intake of the hypericum perforatum extract LI 160 in healthy volunteers." J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol (1994 Oct) 7 Suppl 1:S47-53.

15. Woelk H et al. "Benefits and risks of the hypericum extract LI 160: drug monitoring study with 3,250 patients." J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol (1994 Oct) 7 Suppl 1:S34-8.