special subjects
St. John’s Wort
Claims
Study findings are variable, but SJW may benefit patients with mild-to-moderate depression who have no suicidal ideation. Well-designed studies have been done on SJW treating major depression. Recommended doses are 300 to 900 mg orally once a day of a preparation standardized to 0.2 to 0.3% hypericin, to 1 to 4% hyperforin, or to both (usually). St. John’s wort is also said to be useful for treating HIV infection because hypericin inhibits a variety of encapsulated viruses, including HIV, but has proven adverse interactions with protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) and should therefore be avoided ( References ). SJW has also been claimed to treat skin disorders, including psoriasis, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. 