Potential St John’s Wort Side Effects, Adverse Reactions And Contraindications

St John’s wort, called Hypericum perforatum in Latin, is a shrubby perennial plant with bright yellow flowers.

The curious name for it comes because the flowers were said to bloom for the first time around June 24, which was the birthday of St John the Baptist. In old English, the word “wort” means “plant”.

St John’s wort has a long history of being used for emotional disorders. It was once thought to rid the body of evil. Its anti-inflammatory qualities have also seen it being used to treat wounds and burns.

St John’s wort is the most commonly bought herbal supplement in the US. It has recently been studied extensively as a treatment for depression and most studies show that it may help treat mild-to-moderate depression. It has relatively few side effects and it is thus safe to use. Some St John’s wort side effects, adverse reactions and contraindications do exist, and these should be considered.

It is also important to remember that if you are suffering from severe depression, St John’s wort may not be enough on its own to cure your condition. Thus, it is often advised to contact a health care professional to help you deal with depression.

Allergies

It is possible that St John’s wort side effects include you developing a skin rash and itching. If you experience severe forms of allergic reaction like swelling on the lips or shortness of breath, then you should contact your health care provider.

Minor St John’s wort side effects

Some of the milder St John’s wort side effects may include some nausea or slight headache. You may experience restlessness and emotional confusion. It is advised to stop using the herb if this happens.

It may also increase your skin‘s risk of suffering from sunburn and thus you may want to avoid exposure to the sun if you are taking St John’s wort.

Medicinal interactions

St John’s wort can interact with a variety of medications. It can interact with blood thinners and other mood altering medications. St John’s wort should never be taken with prescription anti-depressants as it can increase the side effects of these medications.

It can also interact with alcohol, causing you to feel dizzy and sedated. St John’s wort alters the liver‘s ability to metabolize medications, which can cause problems with the breakdown of certain medicines and supplements. You should also avoid use near a surgery.

Psychosis

This is a very rare St John’s wort side effect, but WebMD suggests that people with bipolar disorder refrain from using the herb as it might increase the risk of experiencing prolonged mania.

Serotonin syndrome

Serotonin syndrome is a dangerous condition resulting from an excess of serotonin in the central nervous system. Its symptoms include confusion, fever, hallucinations, nausea, sweating, and shakiness. It has been in a few cases linked as a St John’s wort side effect, and thus if you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking the herb and immediately contact your health care provider.

Infertility

There is some evidence to suggest that St John’s wort might have the side effect of lowering fertility. Don’t use it if you are trying to conceive.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

There is not enough information known about St John’s wort side effects during pregnancy or breastfeeding. According to WebMD, some animal studies suggest birth defects in animal fetuses. It is thus advised that you do not use the herb during pregnancy and breastfeeding.