If you rely on St Johns wort to take the edge off the stresses and strains of modern life, take a deep breath before reading on. The popular herbal remedy does nothing to ease anxiety, scientists have said. A review of studies from around the world into the treatment of stress with herbal and nutritional supplements concluded that the yellow-flowered shrub was of little or no use.
But fans of herbal medicines should not be too concerned because another potion has been given the seal of approval.
Passion flower does help ease anxiety, say the U.S. scientists.
The team, from the Global Neuroscience Initiative Foundation, a mental health charity, scrutinised 24 studies into supplements commonly used to reduce stress.
St Johns wort, the favourite of millions, failed to impress, the Nutrition Journal reports.
Magnesium supplements hold promise but need more research before they can be recommended to combat anxiety, say the researchers.
But passion flower supplements do seem to work, although some people who take them suffer side-effects such as dizziness, drowsiness and confusion.
Also effective are lysine and arginine, two of the building blocks of proteins.
Kava kava, a herbal supplement banned in the UK because of safety fears, was also deemed to work.
The findings are important because although anxiety is often dismissed as a minor irritation, in the long term it can raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
In the short term, symptoms can include headaches, stiff and sore muscles and uncontrollable trembling and sweating.
The researchers said: Anxiety is characterised by a feeling of persistent worry that hinders an individuals ability to relax.
Over the past several decades, complementary and alternative medications have increasingly become part of everyday treatment.
Post published in: News