ST JOHN'S WORT

Course overview

ST. JOHN'S WORT (HYPERICUM PERFORATUM) IS AN INVASIVE, FLOWERING PLANT NATIVE TO EUROPE AND ASIA. ITS PRIMARY USE IS AS AN OVER-THE-COUNTER ANTI-DEPRESSIVE OR ANXIOLYTIC. ANTI-DEPRESSIVES WITH SIMILAR EFFECTS ARE ALSO USED TO TREAT MENOPAUSAL SOMATIC SYMPTOMS, SO ST. JOHN'S WORT HAS ALSO BEEN USED TO TREAT THESE SYMPTOMS, AS WELL AS OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER, BEHAVIORAL ISSUES, AND PSORIASIS. THE HERBAL SUPPLEMENT HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN FDA APPROVAL AND IS CONSIDERED A DIETARY SUPPLEMENT. THIS ACTIVITY EXAMINES THE USES, POTENTIAL INDICATIONS, CONTRAINDICATIONS, AND INTERACTIONS OF THIS SUPPLEMENT SO THAT HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS CAN ADDRESS IT WHEN IT PRESENTS IN THEIR PRACTICE.