Category Archives: St. John’s Wort

Review: CAM for ADHD

Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are frequently given to children and adolescents for reputed benefits for hyperkinetic and concentration disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Researchers in Arizona and Australia assessed the evidence based on the results of studies providing an acceptable standard of evidence. Continue reading Review: CAM for ADHD

St John’s wort and hot flushes in women with breast cancer history

There are few effective treatments for hot flushes in post-menopausal breast cancer survivors.

During the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina reported the results from a pilot study. Continue reading St John’s wort and hot flushes in women with breast cancer history

CAM options for treating depression

Emily Matthews, a reader of this blog, provides this overview of depression and complementary treatment options.

About 20 million Americans suffer from clinical depression. Low levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, are thought to contribute to depression. Depression is also associated with diseases like diabetes, heart disease, chronic pain, hormonal imbalance, hypoglycemia, stress, impaired thyroid function, environmental toxins, and unhealthy lifestyles. Continue reading CAM options for treating depression

The biggest problem with St. John’s wort

st-johns-wortIt’s one of the most popular herbal supplements for treating depression. Dr. Perry Halushka from the Medical University of South Carolina has reviewed the scientific literature, including the many drug interactions associated with its use.

But the biggest problem is the lack of standardization and reliability of the contents of commercially available brands of St. John’s wort. Continue reading The biggest problem with St. John’s wort

Review of CAM for behavioral health

Evidence for CAM to treat depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been reviewed by researchers at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, in Kenner.

Here’s what we know. Continue reading Review of CAM for behavioral health

Nutritional herbal supplements for treating anxiety

Approximately 6.8 million Americans suffer from generalized anxiety disorder. It’s not surprising then that there’s interest in finding effective natural treatments.

The Global Neuroscience Initiative Foundation, in Los Angeles, California, reviewed the evidence for passionflower, lysine, magnesium, kava, and St John’s wort, alone or in combination. Continue reading Nutritional herbal supplements for treating anxiety

CYP2D6-mediated herb-drug interactions

Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) is a liver enzyme responsible for the metabolism of approximately 30% of all drugs.

Researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock studied the effect of CYP2D6 on the metabolism of several herbal supplements and the risk of drug interactions. Continue reading CYP2D6-mediated herb-drug interactions

Fish oil lowers risk of breast of cancer

Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, in Seattle, Washington tell us, “There have been no prospective studies of the association between the long-term use of these supplements (omega-3 fatty acids and others] and breast cancer risk….” until now.

This and other recent breakthroughs are summarized below. Continue reading Fish oil lowers risk of breast of cancer