The so claimed ‘100% genuine’ nature is what makes any herbal item so popular. Simply put this label on any specific item (medications or otherwise) and watch it grow in popularity firsthand. Same is the case with non-prescription St. John’s Wort medicines too.
While natural herbs like the one in concern are appealing, their usage has constantly been under the safety radar. In fact, herbal supplements are not managed by The FDA (Food and Drug Administration), like their non-prescription and proposed medications counterparts. For this reason, you may be at the risk of some possibly hazardous herbs that are offered in every pharmacy and shop.
St John’s Wort During Pregnancy
The side effects of st john’s wort are particularly typical as it is an antidepressants. Inning accordance with a research study released in Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, an unprescribed and unrestrained dosage of St. John’s wort can have a great deal of unfavorable reactions. Have a look at side effects of st johns wort tea:
Can Interfere with Your Medication
The first and the primary issue regarding this particular herb is its disturbance with numerous medications.
St. John’s wort tea induces the body to produce enzymes that help clean up the bloodstreams much faster, making them lacking specific chemicals. This process, called enzyme induction, is the one that robs medications of their power. This herb, like fluoxetine, hinders the reuptake of the necessary hormone serotonin.
Unfortunately, St. John’s wort disrupts the working of a number of common pharmaceuticals too.
It is known to connect with its prescribed antidepressants, contraceptive pills, anticoagulants, anti-seizure medications, anti-rejection drugs, heart and cancer medications.
Keep in mind: Since this herb can interfere with medications that are used during surgery, it is suggested to stop its consumption a minimum of a week before your surgery is set up.
Health Tips
Prevent taking St. John’s wort tea if you are already taking other medicines, especially antidepressants, contraceptive pills, anti-seizure drugs etc. In case there is a requirement, talk to your doctor prior to taking any action.
Can Elevate Blood Pressure
St. John’s wort, when combined with Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), can lead to an elevated blood pressure, ultimately resulting in a stroke. An overdose of this medication can even make way for serotonin syndrome. This specific condition is defined by confusion, agitation, shivering, fever, a quick heart rate, diarrhea, muscle spasms, and perspiration.
Health Tips
If you are under blood pressure medication or have concerns connected to elevated blood pressure levels, please prevent this medication.
Must Not Be Taken By Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
Pregnant women and breastfeeding mommies must prevent taking St. John’s wort.
Due to its unfavorable reactions on the brain neurochemistry and hormonal balance, it’s possible that an unprescribed dose of St. john’s wort can hurt the baby.
Health Tips
If you are pregnant or are breastfeeding, avoid this medication.
Must Be Avoided By People Who are Photosensitive
This herb needs to totally be avoided by those who are naturally photosensitive as its usage can heighten the impact.
Using St. John’s wort tea makes you hyper-sensitive to sunshine. This condition is clinically called photodermatitis. The problem raises if you take this herb along with medications understood to increase sun-sensitivity, like sulfa drugs, piroxicam (an anti-inflammatory medication), omeprazole (Prilosec), and lansoprazole (Prevacid). In truth, an extended usage of St. John’s wort is likewise linked with the increased risk of sun-induced cataract.
Health Tips
People with photosensitive skin need to prevent this medication. Ideally, likewise take safety measures as you are exposed to the sun. You must also completely prevent tanning beds and sunlamps.
Need to Not Be Used to Treat Severe Depression
While popular for its use in the treatment of depression, St. John’s wort shouldn’t be used if the circumstance is quite serious. This stands when your depression has begun horning in your daily life, or if you are having self-destructive thoughts. The risk of mania is reported to be particularly high in those fighting severe depression and are on St. John’s wort.
Health Tips
If you are struggling with chronic depression, the first thing you must do is go to a therapist or a doctor. Taking medications for severe cases of depression might not help, and rather could be harmful.
Can Make Birth Control Pills Ineffective
Those on contraceptives ought to completely prevent using St. John’s wort tea. There have been several cases of extreme bleeding and nausea in women on contraceptive pill who were taking this herb too. They likewise make these oral tablets ineffective, which might result in unwanted pregnancies.
Health Tips
If you are on contraceptives, prevent St. John’s wort as it may make them inadequate.
Can Worsen Mental Disorders
St. John’s wort tea, when taken with methylphenidate, is known to make the symptoms of ADD or ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) even worse. Its regular usage also adds to the added risk of psychosis in those who have schizophrenia. It can likewise add to dementia in individuals who are victims of Alzheimer’s disease.
Additionally, this herb is particularly hazardous if you have bipolar affective disorder.
Health Tips
If you are suffering from ADD or ADHD, keep away from using St. John’s wort, as the medication may worsen the condition.
May Cause Excessive Hair Loss
Routine usage of St. John’s wort is understood to cause excess hair loss, just like numerous other antidepressants.
Health Tips
If your hair is thinning and are struggling with hair loss due to any factor, prevent St. John’s wort and consult your doctor right away.
Can Cause Tissue Rejection
Taking St. John’s wort tea can be exceptionally hazardous for those undergoing organ transplants.
In a number of cases, self-medication with this herb has actually resulted in a severe drop in the plasma levels of the cyclosporine (immunosuppressant), causing tissue rejection.
Health Tips
The best solution is to consult your doctor and get your dosage explained before you begin taking this herb.
So, this had to do with side effects of st john’s wort, now check out the foods to prevent while taking st. john’s wort.
Foods to Avoid When Taking St. John’s Wort
They state Precaution is much better than cure which is quite true when it comes to herbal medications such as St. John’s wort.
You should totally avoid the following food and drink products when you are on St. John’s wort:
- coffee and tea
- salami
- chocolate
- fava beans
- smoked, pickled foods
- yogurt
- cheese
- overripe avocados
Advised Dosage of St. John’s Wort
The concern that develops is how much is too much? This is rather legitimate when it pertains to any of the herbal medicines.
Drink tea with st. john’s wort and rely solely on Allah Almighty!
Here’s the recommended dose list for this herb for usage by adults, kids and young people:
Children and young adults (18 years)
- For ADHD- 300 mg St. John’s wort, 3 times daily for 8 weeks.
- For Depression- 150-1800 mg St. John’s wort, 3 times daily for 8 weeks.
Adults
- For anxiety– 900 mg St. John’s wort, two times daily for twelve weeks.
- For cancer– 0.05-0.50 mg per kg of hypericin, for two months.
- For mild to moderate depression– 20-1800 mg St. John’s wort, three times for 4 to 52 weeks.
- For severe depression– 900-1800 mg, once daily for 8 to 12 weeks.
- For Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)– 450-1800 mg, once daily for 12 weeks.
- For menopausal symptoms– 300 mg, three times daily for 12 weeks.
- For premenstrual syndrome (PMS)– 300-900 mg daily for two menstrual cycles.
While herbal medications draw in attention and possess its natural properties, it’s constantly safe to know about the advantages and disadvantages of taking an unprescribed medication. Much like we found out how our chosen antidepressant includes a number of fatal st johns wort side effects too.
Good luck! Have a nice weekend!
