Insomnia hypericum

St. John s wort (Hypericum perforatum) Relieves anxiety and depression prevents insomnia relieves some skin disorders... 

The plant with the pretty yellow flowers was christened St. John s wort because it begins to bloom around June 24, the purported birthday of St. John the Baptist. Until a couple of years ago, Hypericum perforatum grew on our roadsides in virtual obscurity, but today preparations made from the plant jostle for our attention on the shelves of pharmacies and health food stores. Relieves insomnia, neuralgia and nervous tension, one label boldly declares, while another sedately promises to make you feel your best. Sounds intriguing. 

Stevia Stevia rebaudiana) Uses Natural sweetener, hypoglycemic and hypotensive properties Actions Multiple chemical components sweetness d/t glycoside, stevioside hypotensive effect may be d/t diuretic action or vasodilation action Available forms Liq extract, powder, caps Notes/SE HA, dizziness, bloating Interactions T Hypotensive effects W/ antihypertensives esp CCB, diuretics EMS Monitor BP does not encourage dental caries may -1-glucose St. John s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) Uses Mild-mod depression, anxiety, anti-inflammatory, immune stimulant/anti-HIV/antiviral, gastritis, insomnia, vitiligo Action MAOI in vitro, not in vivo bacteriostatic bactericidal, T capillary blood flow, uterotonic activity in animals Efficacy Variable benefit w/ mild-mod depression in several trials, but not always seen in clinical practice Available forms Teas, tabs, caps, tine, oil ext for topical use Dose 2-4 g of herb or 0.2-1 mg of total hypericin (standardized extract) daily Notes/SE Photosensitivity (use sunscreen) rash, dizziness, dry mouth, GI distress Interactions Enhance MAOI activity, EtOH, narcotics, sympathomimetics EMS T Risk of photosensitivity Rxns t effects of opioids and sympathomimetics... 

A 27-year-old woman who had been taking huspirone 30 mg daily for over one month started to take St John s wort Hypericum 2000 Plus, Herb Valley, Australia) three tablets daily. After 2 months she complained of nervousness, aggression, hyperactivity, insomnia, confusion and disorientation, which was attributed to the serotonin syndrome. The St John s wort was stopped, the huspirone was increased to 50 mg daily and her symptoms resolved over a week. A 42-year-old woman who was taking fluoxetine 20 mg twice daily and huspirone 15 mg twice daily started to develop symptoms of anxiety, with episodes of over-sleeping and memory deficits. It was discovered that she had been self-medicating with St John s wort, ginkgQ biloba and melatonin. She was asked to stop the non-prescribed medication and her symptoms resolved. ... 

The antidepressant activity of hypericum has been extensively investigated over the last two decades in animal models (forced-swimming and tail-suspension tests) as well as in humans. Clinical trials have demonstrated an improvement in symptoms of anxiety, dysphoric mood, hypersomnia, anorexia, depression, insomnia, psychomotor retardation, and other subjective indicators.Potential for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) also exists. Earlier studies also showed that hypericum enhanced mice exploratory activity in a foreign environment, extended narcotic sleeping time (dose dependent), is a reserpine antagonist, and decreased aggression in socially isolated male mice. Hypericin has been found to inhibit in vitro almost irreversibly both type A and B monoamine oxidase (MAO) in rat brain mitochondria. Type A MAO (serotonin) inhibition was more pronounced, but with long-term use (8 weeks of daily treatment). Other mechanisms of action, such as serotonin transport and up-... 

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