ST. JOHN'S WORT

Course overview

ST. JOHN'S WORT (HYPERICUM PERFORATUM) IS AN INVASIVE, FLOWERING PLANT NATIVE TO EUROPE AND ASIA. IT IS ALSO KNOWN AS AMBER, GOATWEED, HARDHAY, AND OTHER NAMES. 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.