Benefits of St Johns Wort and Other Natural Supplements for the Relief of Anxiety

Researchers at East Carolina University's Department of Psychiatric Medicine recently published a guideline for physicians treating anxiety disorders, which included an evaluation of previous research concerning the benefits of St Johns wort, kava, inositol, valerian, passionflower and other nutritional or dietary supplements. Due in part to St John's wort side effects and in part to the lack of well designed trials and studies, the researchers advised that physicians should not recommend or encourage the use of St Johns wort by patients suffering from anxiety disorders.

Based on the evidence that is currently available, short-term use of kava for mild to moderate anxiety was recommended for those patients who do not use alcohol or other medicines metabolized by the liver. Compounds found in St Johns wort are known to be toxic to liver cells.

ECU's recommendation was made in 2007, despite the health risks associated with kava supplements that prompted bans in Canada and several European countries and warnings from the CDC and the FDA in the United States. The Australian TGA recommends that daily dosages should not exceed 250mg of kavalactones (the active component in kava). But, the Medicines Control Agency in the UK warns that there is NO safe dosage for kava. Concerns over the safety of kava are far greater than concerns over St John's wort side effects, yet, at least in this most recent study, researchers felt that recommending kava was more advisable than recommending St Johns wort.