Herbal remedies need to be treated just like pharmaceuticals. They will interact with each other and sometimes cause adverse side effects. One of the biggest side effects of St. Johns Wort is that it increases the rate that estrogen is broken down in the body. What does this mean? It means that it cancels out birth control. Yep, just like antibiotics, St. John's Wort can make oral contraception ineffective. So, if you aren't looking to have a wee one, then stay away from St. John's Wort or use back up protection. Talk to your health care provider about other options such as Sam-E, Ashwaganda, Schisandra Fruit, and many more natural options for depression, anxiety, and sleep issues. I write this as a reminder to always check the interactions of drugs and herbal remedies. Herbal remedies are readily available to the public, and can be dangerous if not used correctly. Check with your practitioner, holistic practitioner, or other health adviser before taking herbal remedies. Also, you can check out this website which gives you information about drug/herbal interactions:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html
Natural is always better, but its only better if you are safe and informed about what you are putting into your body!
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