St. John's Wort: Photosensitivity

[Guest guest]

" JoAnn Guest " <angelprincessjo

Tue Aug 24, 2004 9:33

St. John's Wort: Photosensitivity

 

 

 

I read somewhere that when taking St. John's wort extract that it is

important to stay away from the sun and avoid red wine and cheese.

Is this true?

 

http://www.doctormurray.com/Qarchive/stjohns.htm

 

Not according to detailed safety studies.

 

Initially there was some concern that components in St. John's Wort

could cause a severe form of sunburn (photosensitivity) because such

an effect has been noted in animals that graze on large quantities

of St. John's Wort.

 

Because of the possibility of photosensitivity,

it is often recommend that individuals, especially those with fair

skin, avoid exposure to strong sunlight and other sources of

ultraviolet light when using St. John's Wort.

 

While this recommendation may be appropriate it must be pointed out

that the

therapeutic dosage of 2.7 mg hypericin per day is about 30 to 50

times below the level required to produce phototoxicity. Reports of

photosensitivity in humans have been rare and have been limited to

those taking excessive quantities for HIV infection.

 

St. John's Wort

is unlikely to be toxic to humans when used at recommended levels

for depression.

 

Initially it was also recommended that those taking St. John's Wort

should also avoid tyramine-containing foods (cheeses, beer, wine,

pickled herring, yeast, etc.). It was thought that St. John's wort

inhibited the enzyme (monoamine oxidase [MAO]) that breaks down

tyramine. If so, that could lead to elevations in blood pressure.

However, recent information has documented that St. John's wort does

not have any inhibition of this enzyme (MAO).

_________________

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjoguest

DietaryTipsForHBP

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest

[Guest guest]

I use St. John's Wort oil as a before, after and during sunbathing!

I also take it as part of a stress support tincture. I'm fair

skinned and haven't had any problems at all with photosensitivity.

 

, " JoAnn Guest "

<angelprincessjo> wrote:

> " JoAnn Guest " <angelprincessjo>

> Tue Aug 24, 2004 9:33

> St. John's Wort: Photosensitivity

>

>

>

> I read somewhere that when taking St. John's wort extract that it

is

> important to stay away from the sun and avoid red wine and cheese.

> Is this true?

>

> http://www.doctormurray.com/Qarchive/stjohns.htm

>

> Not according to detailed safety studies.

>

> Initially there was some concern that components in St. John's Wort

> could cause a severe form of sunburn (photosensitivity) because

such

> an effect has been noted in animals that graze on large quantities

> of St. John's Wort.

>

> Because of the possibility of photosensitivity,

> it is often recommend that individuals, especially those with fair

> skin, avoid exposure to strong sunlight and other sources of

> ultraviolet light when using St. John's Wort.

>

> While this recommendation may be appropriate it must be pointed

out

> that the

> therapeutic dosage of 2.7 mg hypericin per day is about 30 to 50

> times below the level required to produce phototoxicity. Reports of

> photosensitivity in humans have been rare and have been limited to

> those taking excessive quantities for HIV infection.

>

> St. John's Wort

> is unlikely to be toxic to humans when used at recommended levels

> for depression.

>

> Initially it was also recommended that those taking St. John's Wort

> should also avoid tyramine-containing foods (cheeses, beer, wine,

> pickled herring, yeast, etc.). It was thought that St. John's wort

> inhibited the enzyme (monoamine oxidase [MAO]) that breaks down

> tyramine. If so, that could lead to elevations in blood pressure.

> However, recent information has documented that St. John's wort

does

> not have any inhibition of this enzyme (MAO).

> _________________

>

> JoAnn Guest

> mrsjoguest@s...

> DietaryTipsForHBP

> http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest