St. John’s wort and the sun – what should be considered?

The active ingredient hypericin contained in St. John’s wort leads to increased light sensitivity of the patient. This process is known as photosensitization. While on the one hand the formation of the important vitamin D in the skin is stimulated, on the other hand the risk of sunburn caused by UV radiation increases.

For this reason, patients with already known, increased photosensitivity should refrain from taking St. John’s wort and, if necessary, switch to other preparations. At the same time, intensive sunbathing or a visit to a solarium should be avoided in any case during a treatment with St. John’s wort. Severe sunburn with severe damage to the skin is to be feared.Frequently, the increased light sensitivity also manifests itself in the area of the eyes. Patients complain of itching and watery eyes (typical symptoms of conjunctivitis). The increased sensitivity to light does not subside until about two weeks after discontinuation of the preparation.

St. John’s wort and desire to have children – is that possible?

St. John’s wort preparations contain traces of female sex hormones (estrogens), which can influence hormone production in both women and men. However, the exact effect of St. John’s wort on the maturation of eggs and sperm is not yet known. There are only a few studies that prove that St. John’s wort has a damaging effect on the desire to have children.

For this reason, the use of St. John’s wort should always be discussed with a gynaecologist. If possible, the preparation should be discontinued if you wish to have children. Nevertheless, it is also necessary to clarify other causes of infertility.

What should be considered when weaning St. John’s wort?

An antidepressive effect of St. John’s wort and other antidepressants occurs at the earliest after 2 weeks of regular use of the medication. Patients often report an increasing decrease in depressive episodes only after 4 to 6 weeks. For long-term psychological stabilization, it is usually necessary to continue the therapy for several months and years.

When discontinuing St. John’s wort, there is no risk of dependence with withdrawal symptoms compared to many other substances that act on the central nervous system. Therefore, no gradual dosage is necessary. Already 7 days after the last intake of the preparation no traces of St. John’s wort are detectable in the blood of the patient. Even within a few days there is a decrease in potential side effects of St. John’s wort. At the same time, many patients still experience long-term psychological stabilization.