faqs: St. John's Wort

What is St. John’s Wort?

St. John’s Wort, or Hypericum perforatum, is a medicinal herb native to Europe, Asia and Africa. It has been used to treat a range of ailments in Europe for more than 2000 years. The plant was named after St. John the Baptist as the flowers were said to bloom on the anniversary of his execution. Being one of the most used herbals in Europe, today St. John’s Wort is gaining more and more popularity in North America.

What does St. John’s Wort do?

Numerous studies have been conducted which demonstrate that St. John’s Wort has the ability to improve the symptoms of mild depression. It helps in relieving anxiety, nervous tension and depressive mood. St. John’s Wort maintains normal healthy moods, especially in people with stressful lifestyle. It also promotes sleep in people with sleep disorders.

How does St. John’s Wort work?

Chemical substances contained in St. John’s Wort extracts have been found to interact with a number of neurotransmitter systems implicated in depression.

What are the active ingredients of SinoVeda St. John’s Wort?

St. John’s Wort contains many chemical compounds. Some are believed to be the active ingredients that produce the herb’s effects. Hypericin, pseudohypericin, flavonoids, xanthones, and hyperforin are all being investigated as the possible active ingredient or combination of ingredients.

SinoVeda develops herbal products with the basic premise that a compound must be absorbed into the bloodstream before it produces the desired effect. The active ingredients in SinoVeda St. John’s Wort are known as hypericins. Using our proprietary PPT® technology, we identify the individual hypericin and pseudohypericin that are absorbed and ensure that each capsule of SinoVeda St. John’s Wort contains guaranteed amounts of these active ingredients. They are listed in the Essential Ingredients Profile on SinoVeda St. John’s Wort label.

Why is St. John’s Wort used as an alternative therapy for depression?

Sometimes people who take antidepressant drugs turn to herbal preparations like St. John’s Wort because they do not experience relief from their depression. Some of them have reported unpleasant side effects from their prescription medication. Another reason also is that St. John’s Wort costs less than many antidepressant medications, and it is sold without a prescription (over the counter).

Should I consult my health care professional before I take St. John’s Wort?

Self-medication with St. John’s Wort for depression carries certain risks. If depression is not diagnosed and adequately treated, it can become severe and even be associated with suicide. You should consult your health care professional before your start any health program. If you have any of these conditions, inform your doctor as St. John’s Wort usage may be contraindicated:

• Severe depression
• Currently on anti-depressant therapy
• Photosensitivity
• Sun tanning or using solarium
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use SinoVeda St. John’s Wort?

• Take SinoVeda St. John’s Wort capsules with a large drink of water. You can take it with or without food.
• Avoid alcohol consumption while you are taking St. John’s Wort
• Avoid foods or substances that contain tyramine (such as wine, yogurt, cheese, ripe bananas, yeast, meat extracts, smoked or pickled meats)
 

What is the recommended dosage for SinoVeda St. John’s Wort?

Dosage is usually recommended based on the severity of the symptoms and the type of problem. Unless otherwise prescribed from your health care professional, the recommended dosage for symptomatic relief of mild depression is 1-2 capsules of 150mg SinoVeda St. John’s Wort 2-3 times daily. As with prescription antidepressants, there is a lag in onset of action. It can take several weeks before you feel the effect of St. John’s Wort. For sleeping disorders the recommended dosage of SinoVeda St. John’s Wort is 2 – 3 capsules at once before bed time. Same dosage is applicable for jet lag relief.

What medicines may interact with St. John’s Wort?

• anti-depressants
• narcotics
• immunosuppressant drugs
• birth control drugs
• cholesterol lowering medications
• blood thinners

What could be the side effects from taking St. John’s Wort?

Side effects from correctly administered usage are thought to be rare. The most common side effects include dry mouth, dizziness, gastrointestinal symptoms, increased sensitivity to sunlight, and fatigue.
If you get drowsy or dizzy do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially with advanced age. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

What do I have to do to keep my SinoVeda St. John’s Wort safe from temperature changes?

Store your SinoVeda St. John’s Wort at room temperature between 15 and 30°C (59 and 86°F). Make sure that you see the expiration date on the bottle and throw away the unused portion after the expiration date. Close the cap tightly immediately after use and leave the desiccant package inside the bottle. Keep it out of the reach of children.

There are so many St. John’s Wort products in the market. How do I choose one?

Read the label carefully. Most St. John’s Wort products are standardized only as 0.3 % hypericins. Check the label for clear identification of the plant used, make sure you find a standardized product and watch for the list of all ingredients contained with their amounts.

SinoVeda Echinacea combines the standardized extract with the PPT® technology for identification of the absorbable ingredients. They are listed in the Essential Ingredients Profile with their corresponding amounts. These are the active ingredients of St. John’s Wort that will be absorbed in your body in order to produce the desired effect.

How does SinoVeda maintain quality control of its products?

• SinoVeda always uses high quality raw materials. In order to ensure this standard, SinoVeda has implemented triple control over every batch of herbal extract for content and contaminants: our suppliers, an independent laboratory and our quality control department. Each one of these three levels of control provides detailed analysis using the latest analytical technology. Batches of raw material that fail to meet SinoVeda’s criteria on every test are shipped back to the supplier.

• Using SinoVeda’s proprietary technology PPT®, we identify and determine the amounts of the active ingredients of the herbal products that will be absorbed in the body. In this way, our products achieve the highest and most consistent bioavailability.

• SinoVeda herbal products are formulated with the latest formulation technology and manufactured in a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) facility. SinoVeda herbal products are currently the only herbal products in the market that specify the major individual active ingredient contents.