Natural Medicines Newsletter

Volume 1, Issue 4, 02/12/2009

Question

How does St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) decrease drug concentrations of antiretroviral medications thereby causing a loss of viral control in HIV patients?

Answer

St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) has been used for centuries to treat a number of common ailments (such as neuralgia, sleep disorders, wound healing, and hemorrhoids), but it is best known for its use in the treatment of mild to moderate depression.(1)  Its use in clinical practice is very common in Germany and other areas throughout Europe and its use in the United States is increasing.(2) St. John's wort is an herb that is derived from the tops of the flowering parts of Hypericum perforatum L. and is known to have several active ingredients which include cyclopseudohypericin, hypericin, hyperforin, isohypericin, protohypericin, pseudohypericin and several other flavonoids.(2)  The mechanisms of action for the above indications will be released in future newsletter issues......To read the full answer please LOGIN or SUBSCRIBE NOW.