St. John's Wort? St Johns wort is a common misspelling of St. John's wort.
Some people may use St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) to treat depression or other problems. This naturally occurring substance is thought to treat symptoms of depression and other conditions by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain (which is also how antidepressant medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors -- SSRIs -- work). More research is necessary to definitively confirm the effectiveness of St. John's wort for depression and other conditions. The supplement may not be right for everyone, such as people who have Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, or women who are pregnant or nursing. Although St. John's wort is a natural product, side effects are possible and may include diarrhea, insomnia, and nausea.
(Click St. John's Wort to read the full eMedTV article, which takes a detailed look at dosing, side effects, and general precautions, as well as other conditions you should tell your healthcare provider about before you take St. John's wort. You can also click any of the links in the box to the right for specific information.)
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