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A plant anti depresses?

Against the light depression, take some plants! It is what will tell you your physician soon if you endure a decrease of the mood.

Indeed, the famous St John's wort, known plant for his virtues anti depresses, has just received an authorization of marketing everything that of more official has. He becomes therefore a treatment recognized against the stroke of blues. Is the herbal medicine going to replace the shrinks?

The St John's wort is a plant that pushes in the zones moderated of all continents. For years, one lends him some virtues anti depresses.

Of the green to see life in rose!

Numerous studies tried to verify the reputation of the St John's wort. Certaines1, 2, 3 found an efficiency thus very important of this plant, with sometimes an effect out of 67% of the patients, against 28% at those that received a placebo. Of other travaux4, 5 concluded to results more mitigated, with few differences between the groups of patients receiving the St John's wort and those taking a placebo. Finally, several etudes6, 7, 8 compared the effects of the St John's wort and antidepressants on the light depression. And the results often showed an efficiency similar, with less secondary effects for the treatment of herbal medicine! If the remained St John's wort nevertheless the object of controversies, the authorization of marketing (AMM) is a recognition of his virtues by the sanitary authorities.

Solely for the light depressions

Attention, the St John's wort doesn't take care of all problems. His AMM is precise that he can be prescribed in the "light and transient" depressive demonstrations. What hide these terms precisely? In fact, the depression answers precise criterias, define in the diagnostic and statistical Manual of the mental unrests (Diagnosis Statistical and Manual of Mental Disorders or DSM-IV). Nine symptoms are described, of which at least five must exist since 2 weeks, and one of the two first must be inevitably present:

continual depressive mood;
loss of interest or pleasure for all activity;
unrest of the appetite or change of weight of 5% at least during the last month;
unrest of the sleep (insomnia or hypersomnia);
agitation or a clean slowing;
excessive fatigue;
inappropriate guilt sensation;
difficulties of concentration;
of the "black ideas" (or even of the death thoughts, of suicide).

It is according to the number of present criterias beyond the five requisite and of the reverberation on the domestic, social and professional life, that the degree of the depression (light, middle or stern) is defined. According to the data communicated by the Arkopharma laboratory, more than 15% of the French population would be concerned by the light and transient demonstrations. And the women would be two times more touched that the men.

Attention to the contra-indications

Even though it is about herbal medicine, the St John's wort is the equivalent of a medicine. He possesses the contra-indications and a precise posology therefore. Thus, he is reserved to the adult. Besides, he must not be taken more than 15 consecutive days without medical opinion.

Finally, it is necessary to add that interactions with other medicines exist. It is why he is contraindicated positively or advised against to associate it with:

The medicines anti K vitamin;
The ciclosporine;
The inhibitory antiretroviraux of the protease;
The antiretroviraux inhibitory non nucleosidiques of the inverse transcriptase;
The Digoxine
The theophylline;
The carbamazepine;
The phenytoïne;
The oral contraceptives;
The inhibitory antidepressants of recaptures it of the serotonine:
The antimigraineux of the family of the triptans.

Besides, some studies underline an effect potential photosensibilisant of the St John's wort: it would be thus preferable to avoid the light of the sun during the treatment, what would go besides in opposition to the treatment of the seasonal depression.

No self-medication!

If the St John's wort seems to be a good solution to treat the moderate depression, one lacks receding nevertheless on his effects long-term, notably on the prevention of the relapses. Know that the St John's wort is already available over-the-counter in pharmacy (non repaid) as capsules or tablets. But if you have recourse there, avoid the self-medication, and make follow you by a physician, who will know how to sustain you, so that your depresses either only a bad memory!

2009-09-21