Herbal Medicine guide
The following information about herbs used commonly in the treatment of anxiety related disorders and has been developed in association with MedicHerb.
St John's Wort
The gentle properties of the herb Hypericum perforatum L. - commonly known as St John's Wort - have been known for centuries, but it is only recently that scientists have published papers showing how extracts made from the plant's leaves and cheerful yellow flowers make St John's Wort the herb to feel good about. In fact, the herb St John's Wort and its special standardised extract LI-160 has become the treatment of choice for depressive disorders in many European countries.
Recent studies have shown that standardised extracts of St John's Wort are as effective as traditionally prescribed anti-depressants without the associated side effects, and can relieve the symptoms of mild to moderate depression in a wide range of conditions including: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), pre-menstrual syndrome, Tired All The Time (TATT) and the menopause. A standardised tablet is one that contains exactly the same amount of active ingredients as the next.
In order to obtain optimum benefits, the recommended daily dosage for St John's Wort is between 300 and 900mg of a standardised extract, containing 0.3% hypericin.
Kira Ltd's St John's Wort (containing the standardised extract LI-160, proven in depression trials) is available in two convenient formulations. Kira Original costs £9.95 for 50 tablets and has a recommended dosage of three tablets daily. Kira One-A-Day tablets are standardised to provide 900mg of hypericin in a single easy to swallow tablet and costs £14.95 for a pack of 30. Both are available from Boots, Superdrug, Safeway, Tesco, Sainsburys, independent chemists and health food stores.
St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a herbal remedy commonly used to treat mild depression. In 2000 the Committee for Safety of Medcines published a bulletin reminding health professionals about the risk of interactions between St John's Wort and other prescribed medicines. In some instances this interaction results in a reduction of the other medicine with a reduction in their effectiveness. Examples where St John's Wort reduces a medicine's effectiveness include
St John's Wort should not be used in conjunction with other antidepressants unless recommended by a doctor. If you are taking one of these medicines or have any queries about St John's Wort speak to your pharmacist or your doctor.
Valerian
At some point in our lives many people will experience trouble falling or staying asleep. Riverside herb Valerian has been used in natural sleep remedies for hundreds of years and is clinically proven to help relieve restlessness and promote natural sleep - with no side effects. A recent randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study, published in the journal Pharmopsychiatry (2000:33:47-53), found Lichtwer Pharma's Valerian extract to have a positive effect on the sleep structure and sleep perception of people complaining of insomnia.
Each Lichtwer Pharma Herbal Valerian tablet is standardised to contain 300mg of the research-proven Valerian extract LI 156- the equivalent of up to 1800mg of the fresh herb. This means refreshing natural sleep with none of the morning-after effects associated with conventional sleeping drugs.
It is recommended that 1-2 tablets should be taken before bedtime. Valerian from Lichtwer Pharma Herbal is available in packs of 25 and retails at £4.99 from Boots, Superdrug, Safeway, Lloyds and Moss Pharmacies, independent pharmacies and health food stores.